Life happens around us, but people are often invested in finding their soulmate. It’s a fact of life and a practice many people subscribe to. It’s that need to have someone in your life, someone who is perfect and completes you. It’s the ultimate search for true love and for that person who will always be by your side. But it might be a good idea to try a different approach for once. You might be better for it!

It Shouldn’t Be a Necessity

A psychologist based in California, Ramani Durvasula, explains something essential when trying to look for ‘the one.’ Beginning that search can turn into a never-ending quest, and that’s no good for anyone. Those people who believe in the proverbial ‘soulmate’ can start thinking that they need someone to complete them, and that’s the wrong approach, according to the psychologist. She explains that having that one person in your life should be more of an enhancement rather than one more necessity in your life.

Not a Soulmate but a List

Ramani Durvasula explains that instead of looking for the one, a person should try and look for other things like honesty and a healthy relationship. A helpful aid would be to make a list. It’s more or less like making a grocery list, except with qualities. You can try and jot down qualities you’d like to see in the person next to you. Be specific – write down things you can’t do without. Make sure you know yourself and what you want. Making this list can help you determine what you’re looking for so you don’t waste time.

Observe Other Couples

According to a California psychologist, observing couples close to you can help you be more objective. It can help to see a healthy relationship and make that a goal for yourself. Certain qualities and the way people act towards each other hit differently when you’re looking at things from the side. Look at different couples, and you’ll start realizing what you want or don’t want, and it could help see why a relationship ended and watch out for red flags.

Prioritize Yourself

People can’t expect to have a healthy relationship if they don’t prioritize themselves. You should keep that in mind. The psychologist explains it’s important to work on yourself and focus on your career and personal health. That can help you prepare for a relationship and be stable when you get into one. If you’re already with a soulmate, you should work on becoming strong on your own as well as a couple. People who grow together also grow stronger together!

The bottom line is that when you’re strong on your own, you’ll have a strong relationship. And if you feel good about yourself and know what you want, you’ll be looking for a soulmate to enhance your life – you won’t necessarily need someone to complete you!

If you love mac and cheese and want to take a slightly more refined approach to it, try out this delicious French onion casserole recipe! The thick and creamy sauce of Gruyere, cheddar, and caramelized onions coats the pasta and provides a deep and rich flavor. The recipe takes about an hour.

The Necessary Ingredients

To make this scrumptious casserole, you will need:

• 2 large sweet onions sliced thinly
• 2 and a half cups of heavy cream
• 2 cups of unsalted vegetable stock
• 3 cups of shredded aged Gruyere (leave half a cup for topping)
• 1 cup (divided) of shredded white cheddar cheese
• 1 medium clove of garlic grated
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves
• 1 and a half teaspoons of salt, divided
• Worcestershire sauce – 1 and a half tablespoons
• 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
• A 16-ounce package of penne rigate or ziti pasta
• A pinch of nutmeg

Assembling the Casserole

Coat a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat oil in a large skillet. Use medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, cook the onions and half a teaspoon of salt for about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the onions turn jammy and golden, 15-18 minutes. Add a quarter-cup of water if the onions start to burn.

In the meantime, combine the stock and cream in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then mix in the pasta. Stirring occasionally, cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Add the remaining salt, nutmeg, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat and begin adding the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted.

Time to Bake

Mix half of the caramelized onions in the pasta mixture then transfer it to the baking dish. Top with the remaining caramelized onions and grated cheese. Place on the center rack and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly. Move the dish to the top rack and broil for 3 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with thyme, and wait 10 minutes before serving the casserole. Enjoy!