Being single can be difficult, especially when most of your friends have/have had somebody. But there's nothing wrong with being single; it's much better to feel occasionally lonely then to spend time with someone who doesn't really care about you.

Looking at other people's relationships, you often see only the positives, but even the best relationships have some drawbacks. There are pros and cons to any situation.

Loneliness is difficult-- it's almost worth it to get into any relationship, any relationship at all-- but it's not. Learning to live with yourself is one of the most important lessons during your teenage years. When you can accept you're not always going to have someone in your life, things will get better, you'll have more self confidence, and when you finally do find someone, you'll be able to appreciate your relationship that much more. Besides, if you always are in a relationship, even with people you don't particularly like, how is the one you truly want ever going to find you?

Instead of feeling lonely, go out and do things you like to do. And then when you meet guys/girls with similar interests, talk to them! To get involved with someone you care about, get involved with something you care about. Of course, you won't necessarily date them, but get to be friends: having friends is a great way to show yourself that yes, you can talk to the other sex.

Boys (or girls) may be on your mind a lot, but don't let them dominate your life. If the opposite sex is all you can think about, things are out of control. Put "romance" on the back-burner for a second. Find your own heart first; then look to connect to another's. Make sure your own life is in order before you start trying to enter someone else's.

Enjoy what you have! There's nothing glamourous about always having a boyfriend or girlfriend. There's nothing great about always being "taken." Really, it's kind of pathetic that so many people "need" a partner to feel self worth. Don't be taken in by this crap. You are your own person. Value your own life. You don't "need" anybody to give your life meaning.

If you enjoy casual relationships without any real commitment, fine, but if you are upset because you can't get a serious relationship, look at what you're doing. What kind of people are you going after? You can't just "have a serious relationship" because you want one. It's a lot of work.

Without some time to be alone you'll never develop who you truly are. Yes, we find ourselves in others, as the saying goes. But we can only find ourselves if we recognize who we are, and the only way we can do that is on our own, by ourselves.

Society makes relationships such a big deal it's no wonder teens fret and fear being single. Besides, it's a natural desire to want to be in a relationship. But that doesn't mean you have to be, or even that you should be!