IN many parts of East Asia, particularly China, there exists a myth called the ‘Red String of Fate’ or the ‘Red String of Marriage.’ This myth has been a part of these cultures since ancient history and is still believed and observed today. It is based on the idea that a metaphorical red string is tied around the finger or ankle of every individual, connecting them to another person. As they go through life, they will eventually meet this person and become soulmates. It is believed that while the string may lengthen or even become tangled, it will never break. The two soulmates are always connected and destined for each other.

Similarly, in Greek mythology, there exists a myth explaining that in the past, human beings were different from the way they are now. It suggests that humans once had eight limbs—four arms, four legs—and two faces. They were neither male nor female. These beings were described as powerful and bold. Fearing their strength, the Greek gods split them in half to diminish their power. Thus, the human beings who exist today are destined to seek out the ‘half’ they were separated from in order to experience true joy and wholeness.

Many similar myths and stories exist across various cultures, all attempting to define the origins of one of the most mysterious human qualities—the ability to love. Love is famously known as the fuel that powers poets and artists. It is a bond that joins two people, even when distances separate them. However, love extends beyond romantic relationships. It is the bond between a mother and child, between siblings, or within a group of friends. Love can even be the passion one has for their work. In essence, it is one of the driving forces of society. Without love, the world would be a colder and lonelier place.

We begin learning about the role love plays in our world from a very young age. Then, like every generation before us, we attempt to create our own space within the idea of love. As members of Generation Z, how do we find love? How do we discover the person at the other end of our red thread or the half that completes us?

These questions often cloud our youth with the fear of being alone for the rest of our lives. As a result, some of us compromise our happiness and comfort, forcing ourselves into relationships that are not truly meant for us. We fear loneliness so much that we willingly sacrifice true satisfaction and happiness just to avoid it. The harsh truth is that the first step to finding love is learning to love ourselves. The idea of living with oneself should not be a nightmare. Most importantly, the fear of being alone or the need to conform to societal expectations should never be the reason to start a romantic relationship. Like any other type of relationship, romantic relationships require maturity and a sense of responsibility to be meaningful and fulfilling.

Love is always around us. It is not something that needs to be found or uncovered but something that begins within us. As time progresses, our life paths will lead us to people who share similar interests and goals. By living a life we love, we will naturally gravitate towards the people and places we were always meant to find.

In the meantime, we have a responsibility to allow ourselves to grow and be responsive to the direction of our own lives rather than feeling pressured to follow the same timeline as everyone else. After all, life is a story we all write at different paces, and there is always space in it to love and be loved.