I am Karen, 53 years old and single by choice. Over the years, I’ve learned that relationships should be more than just filling a void or meeting society’s expectations. I’ve seen too many people lose themselves, bending and twisting to fit someone else’s mold, only to emerge less than they were before. That isn’t what I want for myself.

I’ve had relationships, some long and deeply meaningful, others brief and fleeting, each one teaching me more about what I truly desire. Each experience has brought me closer to understanding myself. I’ve grown to recognize that the right partnership should empower me, challenge me in healthy ways, and, most importantly, allow me to stay true to my essence. I’ve made peace with the fact that I’d rather walk alone than in the wrong direction with someone by my side.

Friends often wonder why I’m still single, nudging me toward dating apps and blind dates. They tell me to “just give it a shot,” but I know better. I know that settling for a lukewarm connection would be a disservice to myself and to the life I’ve worked so hard to build. I don’t want just anyone—I want someone who complements my life, not someone who expects me to change or compromise the best parts of who I am.

People say that a great relationship is worth waiting for, and I choose to believe that. I refuse to change my relationship status for anything less than that because I believe a great relationship doesn’t complete me—it enriches me. Until I find that kind of love, I am content standing on my own, knowing that my worth isn’t defined by whether or not I have a partner, but by the strength and resilience I carry within.