Help! I'm trapped!!

 . . . in a very LDS mindset. I've realized recently that I am trapped in a mindset of "You're 19, or 20 or early twenties" and not engaged and you don't have a boyfriend? Why not?

AND I HATE THAT.

I've even thought it about myself. I'm nineteen, single and loving it. But seriously half the people around me are either engaged, about to be officially engaged or in a serious relationship and I've wondered why I don't have one. I have come to this conclusion, which I already knew, I do not want one. Nor is there anyone, currently, that I would want to be in a relationship with. It's not like there aren't guys I'm attracted to in my immediate vicinity. There are. There are definitely males in my ward and social circles (aka just my ward, sad I know) that I am attracted to, but I don't know any of them well enough to want to be in a relationship with them. I'm kind of old fashioned that way. First, I want to know someone and be friends with them before I want to be in a relationship with them. Or even think about being in a relationship.

Anyway, somebody needs to keep me on topic. the LDS mindset.

Anyone that has had exposure to our culture knows that we tend to get married young. My two roommates are getting married at 19. I know of two other girls that are only 19 who are also getting married this summer. Others I have known got married at 20 and 21. Some go on missions but then get married soon after that. So the LDS mindset is that people should be dating and or married young.

but you know what I've realized? You really don't need to be married young. And I'm sticking to that. our brains, specifically the pre-frontal lobe, aren't fully formed until 24 or 25. that area of the brain contains our decision making skills. So we're not fully formed right now. okay, we're only half baked.

Now I'm not saying marrying young is bad, it isn't. What I am saying is that not being married young isn't bad.

Sometimes I get caught in the mindset that  young women my age either need to be on missions, or getting married. and I'm not doing either.

And I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm going to get my education, I'm going to work my hardest, I'm going to see the world. and if I'm not married at 20 or 21, or 22, or even 23. I will be fine. I don't need to be married anytime soon.

So my dear post-high school friends who aren't going on missions and aren't getting married. You're in good company. And really, who cares when you get married. if the love of your life comes along when you're nineteen, snatch him up, if he doesn't come along until 25, so be it, snatch him up then.

Being single is a joy, don't get trapped in the mindset that you need to be in a relationship or getting married, because living by yourself gives you great experiences you couldn't learn if you never lived on your own. And lets be honest, right now I struggle to take care of myself most days, how in the world could I care for another human being?