Making time for yourself is important, even when you are in a relationship. Many women often lose their identities when they meet someone. It becomes hard to tell your emotions from his, and you often lose your voice in things. Learning how to stay true to yourself while being in a long-term partnership is something that will take time, but it is possible. These are some things you should be doing in order to keep your identity, and how it will help you.
Keep time with your girlfriends
As you get older, you will realize how important it is to keep your good friends in your life. Making sure you schedule some "girl time" each month will ensure you keep these relationship ties strong. Don't allow your significant other to alienate you from your friends, because if he leaves in the end, you will always have your girls to fall back on. I did this a lot when I dated in my early twenties. I was fortunate enough to regain a few of the friendships I lost, and it taught me that no man was worth losing friends.
Do your own things
Doing things you like to do on your own will help keep you true to yourself. There are plenty of activities I like that my husband doesn't. Instead of forcing him to do them, I think of it as a little bit of "me" time. He does the same thing when he goes fishing. I stay behind because baiting a hook with a worm is not only gross, but something I will never enjoy doing. This was something I learned a long time ago. You may end up resenting your significant other if you are stuck doing things they want to do all the time. Make sure you do something you enjoy each and every day in order to avoid losing who you are and what you like.
Don't change
I have seen so many young girls change who they are because the man in their life wants to them too. It is okay to be your own person. Not everyone will accept it, but those that love you will. You shouldn't have to change how you dress, talk, or do things to please anyone. The most important part of being in a relationship is loving yourself first so that you can in turn love the other person. There have been many women I have come in contact with over the years that lost the person they once were and it is hard to regain that once it has been gone for a long period of time.
Losing yourself in a relationship is easier than most will want to admit. So many women mold their lives around the men they love and forget who they are. Once you are lost, you become an empty shell and finding the pieces you left behind will not be easy.
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