Natalie from Toronto is all about making it on her own

Q: Where do you live?
Toronto, Ontario

Q: Of what about yourself and what you’ve accomplished are you most proud?
I’m most proud of making it out on my own. I developed a whole network of friends and work connections and I did it by myself with nobody helping me. I am happy with the way things have turned out.

Q: What have you learned from your dating experiences that has been most valuable to you?
Know what you want and put that out there. Don’t try to make a person mold into what you want. When you want something, and you want to be in a relationship you will attract the same in another person. I’ve always attracted men who weren’t available and I always thought that they would change but they wouldn’t. They are who they are. The signs were there and I just didn’t see them. I think that if I had dated more and hadn’t been so scared of getting hurt I probably would have learned this lesson earlier in life.

Q: How has your personal growth benefited your relationships?
I am really happy with who I am and what I have to offer. I am completely myself. I don’t have to be anyone else but me. And if they don’t like me they can end it. When you really are happy with who you are it comes out in many ways and people are drawn to it.

Q: How do you look back at your time of being single in your 30s?
I look at it positively. I think it is the best thing you could possibly do for yourself and for your relationships. You grow a lot in your 30s and you start liking yourself more. For me at least, I did all that I wanted to do with a relationship or not.

Q: What words of wisdom would you like to share with other singles?
Don’t take dating personally; it’s like the whole lesson behind “he’s just not that into you.” When you take things personally you attach yourself to something that is really not there. When you accept what is and take it for what it is you actually get rewarded and the universe will just bring you someone who is more well-suited for you. Trust in who you are and what you want. It does come back to you. Change your energy and you will attract what you want.