Is Romantic Love the Only Time You Feel Complete?

People who love love, hide it. They watch love stories, feel that empty pit in their stomach, and walk away from the movie yearning. They sigh to themselves and whisper, “I can’t wait for my big love.” They imagine this whirlwind life where they give themselves over to their mate. Then, it never happens.

They live their life thinking it is incomplete and decide to stop enjoying it. They feel good, but not great. They do things they always wanted to do, but it isn’t as exhilarating as they imagined. Everything in life feels like a B, but they think once they find the love of their lives it will feel like an A+.

What is it about this feeling? Why do women carry this hidden melancholy about love, while men are unconcerned by love? Most men want to love, but they know they will get it. Especially men who are handsome and well to do. Love is basically a guarantee for them, while it is a gamble for women. The rules of life are some people win, while many lose.

This is unfair correct? This is shit, right? However, it is a reality. Though I am adamant about equality, I know that our world is not structured for it. Unfortunately, we have a hierarchy that privileges men. They are catered to in their career, romance, and health. They are told to chase their dreams, while women are told daily that a life without romantic love is a life unlived.

Society, made you think romantic love is the highest achievement of life. Then, you live your life every day and feel unfulfilled. There’s this pit in your stomach. You don’t think to think it is capitalism. You don’t think to think it is the way our society is structured to privilege some. You don’t think it is how our environment is unhealthy. You simply think its love. So, you walk around sullen because the only thing that will make you feel like you are working at 100% is romantic love.

Romantic love is important. Romantic love is natural. However, romantic love is not a guarantee and that is ok. It isn’t a death sentence to only have love from friends or family. Quite frankly I think it is unfair to experience life at 75% because you’ve only had love from your family and friends. It’s also unfair to yourself because you don’t even know this person who you are missing. You are walking around gloomy, dejected, and crushed over a person who was never guaranteed to be yours. You are heartbroken by a hypothetical. Doesn’t this make you feel uncomfortable? Doesn’t it make you feel sad that you have stopped living at 100% because you expected to be rescued and loved into completion by a person you don’t know?