A 33-year-old virgin who has never been on a date has explained why she is not 'actively searching' for love.
Lauren Harkins from Portland, US, has opened up about her view on relationships and how they are 'not necessary' for living a happy life.
For Lauren, it began back in high school, when many of her friends were feeling love for the first time.
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As well as being uninterested, she was also dealing with more serious matters after her father, William Stacey, who'd passed away in 2006 at the age of 46.
However, her decision to stay a virgin has been a conscious one as Lauren says she has been 'very content' on her own for all these years.
"The 20s is such a confusing time, everyone is figuring out careers and navigating all this stuff - it just wasn’t something I wanted," she said.
"When I looked around there was no one who I was friends with and in a relationship whose life I wanted to emulate and I was quite happy to just do my own thing.
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"I've never looked to others as a marker for how my life is going to play out but have instead chosen to follow my own intuition on what is best for me at any given time."
As well as being an only child, Lauren also has no real desire to get married or have children.
However, as she's gotten older, she says she feels 'ready' for a partner if the right person comes along - otherwise she's 'very happy being on my own'.
"I would want someone who is way more established than I am – I would only want to be someone who is better than me in every way!" she said.
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"I don't want to live a traditional lifestyle, I am very goal orientated, emotionally independent, and love my freedom – I just want to live life to the fullest.
"I love adventures and trying new things."
The former correctional law enforcement worker spends a lot of her time travelling, as she added: "Recently I’ve been to Morocco, Peru, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, France, Germany and the Netherlands, I love immersing myself in new cultures."
As well as travelling and focusing on social media, she's also been supported by her late father's trust fund.
Although she's felt no pressure from her loved ones, Lauren said her choices have confused some online, largely because they 'don't know how to categorise her'.
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She said: "When you're confident and firm in who you are, there's really not anything someone can say, to make you question how you live your life.
"Most people who are still virgins at my age save themselves for a husband and are often religious.
"I don't subscribe to any particular religion at all but because I'm not sleeping around and living super modern feminist lifestyle, that camp also doesn't know what to do with me.
"It's like I'm too traditional for the feminists but not traditional enough for the traditional people – so I am trying to break that barrier.
"I find both sides at their most extreme to be a bit toxic and I would love to be a voice for those who don't fit perfectly into either category.
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"I think it's important to have high standards in everything - romantically and otherwise."
By posting about her life on social media, Lauren is trying to remove the stigma of being a virgin - as well as finding people who are in 'similar situations' as her.
"I have hundreds of messages from people in similar situations, so I feel like I'm helping people," she said.
"I am of sound mind and body, I'm not socially awkward or repressed, and quite normal despite my unique lifestyle.
"I think it's important to destigmatise this lifestyle, I’m just a late bloomer – it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with me."
Topics: US News, Sex and Relationships, Lifestyle
Anish Vij