By Katie Michaels, DERF Lifestyle Columnist

There’s a place, far, far away (well, not that far) where people live in their own world, make up their own rules and judge all of the “little people.” Little do they know, we aren’t the “little people” – they are. We’re all guilty of hanging with them, partying with them; socializing with them, pretending to be their friends…we secretly hate them, feel sorry for them, and make fun of them, when we’re out in the real world. Why do we do it? I don’t have an answer for you. It’s like watching a soap opera – we just get hooked. It’s not reality, we know that, but for whatever reason, we become fascinated and sucked in, week after week after week, until we finally just can’t take the drama anymore.

Much like this “place (wink, wink) far, far away”, we girls seem to be attracted to these guys that suck us in to this “perfect world” that just doesn’t exist. Actually, it’s the most screwed up place we could be, but we go anyway. Purple juice anyone? We don’t know why we do it. We’re smart girls (whether we watch the news or not). For whatever reason, though, we still have this fantasy that guys always tell the truth, everyone really is that nice, and they all really like us. Nope, you’re wrong. You really have to pay close attention.

Let’s look back at my last article, “How to Tell if He’s One of the Good Guys” - those are the minimum qualities we girls look for, the minimum that we need! Come on, if you aren’t at least getting those, run, run, run away!!! There reeeeeally are nice guys out there, I promise! Don’t settle, you’ll regret it.

This is hands-down, the best advice I can and will ever give. Love like you’ve never been loved before. Give more than you’ve ever been given. Forgive, forget, and love unconditionally (but don’t be walked on). Be genuine, no matter what. Even if you get burned ten times, sooner or later, it will pay off. Don’t hold back, don’t be afraid. Revenge is NOT sweet. Eventually, truth and honesty really do always win. You’ll be a happier person for it. Don’t let people that criticize you and point out your flaws bring you down – they’re really only pointing out their own. The people that admit their mistakes and apologize learn and grow. The people that blame and accuse live in that place “far, far away.” It’s a fairytale. The place doesn’t exist. If a place doesn’t exist, it doesn’t have real people, it doesn’t have love, it doesn’t have value. Value yourself. Treat others like you’d want to be treated.

All that “amazing sex” I talk about means nothing if it isn’t with a person that respects and loves you. I’m all for wild and crazy, but not trashy and meaningless. Girls, respect yourselves. Guys, be men and respect us too. What a shame, and how sad would it be to be stuck living in that awful place where people really never find true happiness…far, but not too far, away?