'Sick of men? Nope, just tired of them."

Lately, I’ve noticed that almost everything I write (and talk about) circles back to men: how to date up, how to plan the perfect date, how to decode what he said, and on and on and on. Honestly? I’m exhausted.

This school year especially, so many of my conversations with friends have been endless loops of

“He did this.”

&

“How do I get him to do that?”

& even

“What’s the trick to getting him to do this and that without .... ?”

And like Miranda from SATC (before the writers ruined her), I’m ready to grab the check and walk out of the building.

Now, don’t get me wrong I love a swoon-worthy six-pack, a bomb outfit, and cologne that makes me weak in the knees as much as (if not more than) any girl in the 21 st century. But lately, I’ve started to get sick of it. White guys especially (sorry, but sitting next to one in class has taught me that their natural odor is... let’s just say mein gott, and not in a good way ).

But with graduation staring at me from the long hallway of life, I’ve realized I want to be better at being me. Not so I can “catch a man,” but so I can be a better friend, a better person, and a more multidimensional human. I can’t even tell you how many passions I’ve forgotten—or flat out abandoned—for the sake of some guy. (Fun fact: I used to skateboard somewhere between my two great high school loves, “007” and "wristwatch".)

So while I’ll probably still post the occasional ode to a ridiculously gorgeous man or a dramatic Q&A about love I’m ready to start a new chapter. 

One that’s about self-discovery. One that’s outside the boys’ club, brotherhood of man, or whatever you want to call it.

It’s going to be a long journey, and it might take me a while to even start. But I honestly can’t wait for Day 1.

—G.R.