I grew up hearing that love wouldn’t come easily for me. Maybe it was because I wasn’t the kind of person who followed the rules when it came to relationships. I never believed in settling, in forcing something that didn’t feel right, or in being with someone just for the sake of not being alone. But for a long time, I wondered if that mindset was holding me back. Was I expecting too much? Was love supposed to be easier, simpler—something that just fell into place without so much thought?

I watched others around me find love quickly, slipping into relationships as if they were simply checking off a box in life’s to-do list. Meanwhile, I questioned everything—what I wanted, what I deserved, and whether love was even meant for me at all. There were moments when I doubted myself, when I wondered if I should change, compromise, or lower my expectations just to make things easier.

But the older I get, the more I realize that love isn’t supposed to be easy—it’s supposed to be real. Real love isn’t about convenience or just having someone to fill a space. It’s about connection, understanding, and choosing each other even when things aren’t perfect. I’d rather wait for something real than settle for something that only looks like love on the surface. And when I find it, I know it won’t feel easy—but it will feel right. And that’s what truly matters.