From “talking stages” and “situationships” to “exclusive” relationships, high school romance is filled with labels.
These contemporary terms can create the illusion that relationships are the core of an ideal high school experience, but when someone is not attached to any of these labels, they begin to feel singled out, beginning to question why they are seemingly less desirable.
One might scrutinize their self-worth, wondering why they cannot find their ideal partner, what they are doing wrong and why relationships seem to come so easily for others.
High school should instead be a time for self-discovery, not for seeking validation through others.
For some students, being single can feel like a social curse. As friends talk about their crushes, couples walk hand-in-hand through the halls of Coppell High School and social media overflows with couple photos, being single can seem like a problem instead of normal. Seeing their peers in relationships, students may feel pressured to do the same to achieve happiness.
This mindset shifts their focus away from self-growth, tying confidence to their romantic status and creating an unhealthy cycle of comparison.
As a result, students may become dependent on external validation, hindering internal growth. This pressure leads many to become overwhelmed with insecurities while neglecting their authenticity.
By placing emphasis on finding a relationship, students rid themselves of the opportunity to discover who they are beyond the expectations of others. Losing sight of self-discovery makes the journey of personal growth significantly harder to navigate.
Rather than believing they need a partner to feel complete, students can channel their energy into exploring their passions and goals. Instead of pining for affection or draining their energy and harboring insecurity, focusing on self-growth fosters more meaningful developments.
Building a strong sense of identity helps students understand themselves and step into healthier relationships. Rushing into relationships out of dependency may lead to settling for less, simply to meet external standards.
On the contrary, taking time to explore what truly excites us, developing personal skills and focusing on self-growth strengthens our future. Forming a solid identity in your formative years through healthy outlets, friendships and a positive outlook fosters emotional maturity.
This approach provides long-term fulfillment and a deeper commitment to ourselves, rather than to a relationship. It allows romance to enter at the right time, complementing our lives rather than encompassing them.
While it is not wrong to be in a relationship in high school, it is unhealthy to let stress consume you. Putting aside the pressure of finding a relationship and rather than creating a relationship with yourself allows for a fulfilling balance of contentment and growth in other aspects of your life.
Make new friends, explore a new hobby, take yourself on adventures — embrace being single. These experiences will not feel lonely when you build a healthy relationship with yourself. When you can confidently guide your own life, finding validation within becomes the true source of contentment.
Single yourself out.
Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.
