As prom season quickly approaches, people begin to scramble, desperately searching for a date. It happens every year, everyone feels the pressure of this unspoken rule that it is forbidden to go to prom alone or with friends. And before you know it, you’re stuck awkwardly taking pictures with some kid from math class you barely know, rethinking all your life decisions.

Essentially, you are making yourself miserable when you could’ve had a great time if you just ignored the social standard in place. It all goes back to the stigma that being alone is bad.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is nothing wrong with not having a significant other.

Prom night should be fun. Nowhere is there a rule book that says in order to have fun you must include a boyfriend or girlfriend. Simply go with people who you enjoy being around and who you feel the most comfortable with.

There are actually more pros of going dateless than one might think. You don’t have to worry about matching colors. You don’t have to worry about making awkward small talk all night. Have strict parents and don’t want to have to introduce them to your date? Problem solved.

And if you are perfectly comfortable and happy with your date, good for you. Just don’t make others feel bad for not having one. Just because this is how you want to spend your evening, does not mean others want to as well. Don’t worry, we all know you probably won’t still be together once college comes around.

And I know, it’s easier said than done. Especially when you see all of your friends getting promposals and going with dates. All I can say is that scoring a date is not a life or death situation. If you want to go alone, go alone. If you want to go with friends, but they have dates, show them this story and hope for the best.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the GENESIS staff. Email Rayna Minix at [email protected] .