"I'll give you that..."

February...

Short month but full of excitement! 

One, my brother's birthday, 19th birthday, still cannot believe it! 
Second, Valentine's Day which will be not sure how... Single squad!
Third, still, apartment hunting, send help!

Despite all the good energy that I've been trying to send my ways, it's hard to keep a clear mind, a positive attitude when you miss home (Ireland), when you miss friends ( I won't say names but I do miss the "Peanut" calling), when there are family issues, and when no one is helpful in the apartment hunting. 
The one thing that has been bothering me is how one of my friends left home for the air force. That one piece of news hit hard. Not sure how to view such an action especially coming from such a brilliant person. I ain't against military actions and such but when it comes to having a good friend leave... There's something that triggers a part of you to hate the military. 
How many families have been broken by their loved ones going? 
How many of them didn't return? 
How many of them did return but still struggle with PTSD? 
How many families are waiting for news?
So many questions and the only person that has left for the military is a friend, I don't know how the family can cope because I miss having my friend around. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm all the way in Europe, it was already difficult to keep in touch every day, but we tried to keep in touch whenever between text messages, emails, phone calls... I could go on... 

I'm sure he is proud to serve the country any possible way, but I'm not entirely sure how to take that news myself. How to take the fact that he is gone... 

When he broke the news to me, I cried myself that night, not thinking positively at all. All I could do is just watch "Dear John". Talk about romance and broken heart and military life... Go figure, when you are sad, you watch more sad films... 

Serving your country is amazing, you should be proud if you have served or if you know someone who does. What I don't like is you see your loved ones leave... The long waiting periods for them to call, message, or come home to you. I know I would be able to endure it for love, but I hate not knowing if they are coming back or not. 
Love/ Hate relationship if you say the least. 

I guess you could say I'm starting to worry despite my own self being in a different country than him. 

People who are dealing with this type of situation should be proud of themselves and the ones who have left...

~Bella

Benefits you may gain from being single...

I'm sure most of us are single and unhappy... But have you ever thought about the good that being single may procure?

From what I've seen, read, experience, I can tell you some benefits of being single are around! The idea of being "alone" might have gotten as far as boring, and pretty lonely, you might be mistaken, slightly mistaken!

It's about finding your true self, what you are all about, the good, the bad, the unexplained, the confusion that surrounds you, what are your weaknesses, strengths, insecurities. We know what our physical appearances are all about, but do we know what's hidden behind our tough shell? Being single gives you the opportunity to have some solitude, so embrace it, learn and discover who your true self is.

It's about discovering what you want in your future. Job, family, friends... Dreams exist, but how many people can say they arrived at that dream destination? When you are in a relationship you have new responsibilities, you can't just take a job opportunity all across the ocean because you know that
your other half won't be able to make it out there with you, and it's a charge. Don't get me wrong, don't assume I would prefer to be single, but sometimes it helps you build what you want around you.

It's about these little-forgotten skills that are showing up again! We all forget what we are truly capable of doing, and being single makes you look at life differently than while being in a relationship. Your confidence builds up, and your journey of self-discovery makes you gain some talents, or hidden skill appears again!

It's about loving ourselves! Being by yourself makes you see that you also deserve to be loved. There is a saying "Love yourself before you can love anyone else..." You certainly can love someone else, even if you are going through a nightmare, but you obviously won't love with a pure heart, and won't be able to love without low self-esteem getting in the way.  Loving ourselves is important! Don't forget that! 

It's about being you and flirt without fear! We all flirt, don't try and deny it, even the person who flirts the worst, still does it! Flirting is an innocent little gesture, but it can be quite dangerous, someone may end up developing feeling. If you love flirting, I suggest you get back to your single state to prevent a disaster with your partner, obviously, if you are in a relationship.

It's about saving time and money! Let's face the fact, when you are in a relationship you love to spend on your other half. You try to please the other party, spend your free time with them instead of something for yourself. Some couples need a certain amount of time on the phone, over text, and without knowing it, the hours you spend on the phone takes most of your day! 

It's about staying and growing your friend circle. When you are in a relationship, you have less time for your friends, and that happens to everyone almost. Just because you are in a relationship doesn't mean you have to let your friends go, but we see them less. Single people focus on siblings, friends more. 

Being single as its perks, don't be ashamed, feeling lonely or act like you will die alone! It won't get you anywhere, and I promise you, being alone is refreshing, you need it sometimes. You need some alone time to resource yourself, relax and think about yourself. 

"Being single doesn't mean that you know nothing about love. Sometimes, being solo is wiser than being in a false relationship." 

~Bella