Being an overly emotional person has its pros and cons, just like everything else.

You want to help people out all the time, but at the same time you are afraid of the thought of getting hurt.

It is easy to get let down being an overemotional person.

You put all your faith into someone, and when you find out the person you were defending turns out to be as bad as everyone said they were, you feel like crap.

Trying to take care of everyone all the time is exhausting.

Especially if you are expected to take care of multiple people in one day. So it can get a little overwhelming at times.

When you find that one person that makes you feel extremely happy, that one person you do not have to worry about all the time, but want to, that one person who makes you laugh, makes you feel safe, and may even become your best friend in time, it is a really big relief.

Falling for someone is always fun.

Especially in the beginning, when you are learning about a lot about a person.

You get to see them happy and excited, and see the things they are passionate about.

You get to learn their favorite foods, hobbies and colors.

You get to learn about who they want to be and what kind of person they used to be.

Falling for someone “fast” is not a taboo thing.

It is a dangerous thing, for you do not know if that person feels the same way about you, but at the same time, it is great.

I have been warned and told not to fall for someone fast, as if there is some sort of time frame that one is supposed to follow.

I get told that I should enjoy the “like” stage for a period of time, then move on to the “relationship” stage for this length of time, and then move to the “love” stage for this amount of time.

The things that I get told frustrate me.

No one can tell you how long it takes for you to gain feelings.

Everyone is different.

Everyone has different stages of “love.” Some people, like me, do not believe in love.

If you are one of those people, like me, who develops feelings fast, so be it.

I think it is better to fall all at once than not at all.

I know plenty of people who have never experienced any sort of “strong” or “love” feelings for anyone, and they are the most selfish, judgmental and arrogant people ever.

Now, for the sake of not making anyone mad, I am not saying everyone who has not experienced love yet is selfish, but the most advice I have received about not falling fast was from someone who had never had a serious relationship before.

I am just saying, figure out who your sources for advice actually are.

They may know nothing on this subject.

But if you end up falling for someone and you get hurt, at your worst you will find out who your true friends are.

They may end up holding you at midnight in their car in the middle of the Wal-Mart parking lot as you cry your eyes out over a dumb boy.

So either way, you will end up hurt or end up happy as can be. Being an overemotional person is not a bad thing. It is actually really good. Everyone should have a friend like you.

Liz Dowell is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or ehdowell@eiu.edu.