My childhood memories are filled with reading stories of Thumbelina, Cinderella and Rapunzel, basically all those stories where a 19 year old damsel is rescued by a tall and handsome Prince Charming for a happily ever after. Though I was sane enough not to rely my future on an imaginary guy to make me happy and I was nerd enough to actually compete with all the guys I came across (academically of course) , I always was pretty much focused on my studies. Because let’s face it , I am a princess only to my parents and life isn’t a fairytale.
The plan was set, Bachelor’s in Computer Science Engineering, two years of experience in IT firm and then MBA by the age of 25. I wanted to wear a suit and manage people from my glass-doored corner office. So meeting a guy and falling for him was never in the picture until it was.
I started working and I met someone who made me forget what I came here for. My focus shifted and I suddenly wanted dates with roses and chocolates and I realized that I am a hopeless romantic. I wanted someone to give me a comforting smile, a shoulder to cry on and a warm bear hug when I am overwhelmed. Someone who is just mine. Most of my 20s , I was always searching for that one person to make me happy, to rescue me from my life problems, to understand me, to make me feel confident about myself, to sing to me.
It took me one broken engagement, two heartbreaks and many months of soul searching to understand that I don’t need someone to make me happy. As clichè as it sounds, I feel this was one of the most empowering and freeing experiences of my life. In next 5 months, I will turn 30 and I am absolutely loving that. My age, my weirdness, my hair, every single mistake, every little achievement I made, I am loving all of it. I am single by choice and I dress up for myself , sing and dance when I feel like and most importantly I am chasing my dreams rather than a man. I now solve my own problems and take myself to dates to celebrate my wins and its the happiest I have ever been. Today when I get up and make my tea and get ready for my classes , there is no different place I would rather be , and no-one else I would want to be with. Well at least till I find that glass-doored cornered office rather than glass heels!
So, I guess the princess saved herself in this one!
