When everyone around you seems to be jumping into new relationships, tying the knot, or starting families, being single can seem lonely at times. A lot of people don’t realize, though, that the months or even years you have to yourself can be some of the most freeing and fun because there is no one else you have to answer to besides you!
- You don't have to share.
You want that last slice of pizza? It’s yours. Also, having the bed all to yourself is something you’ll never get back once you find your soulmate, so enjoy it and be a cover hog while you can. - There's more money for you.
No expensive anniversary, birthday, or Christmas gifts to worry about. Plus, when you go out to eat or have a drink, you only have to worry about paying for yourself. With the money you saved, maybe you can finally buy yourself that dress or video game you’ve been putting off. - You can let yourself go.
Especially in a new relationship, personal grooming is one of your top priorities because it’s pretty much the end of the world if they kiss you and your breath smells like garlic or they touch your leg when you haven’t shaved in a few days. On your own, who cares? If it doesn’t bother you, you can let yourself go however far you want. - There's no other family to deal with.
Figuring out whose family you’re going to spend each holiday with and worrying about whether your significant other’s mom likes you is exhausting. Right now, even if your own family wears you out, there’s still only one set of parents to please and if you ignore or offend them, your own will forgive you a lot more easily. - You can be spontaneous.
You find out that your favorite band is playing in a city a few hours away, and you can pack your things, call up your best friend, and take a mini road trip on the fly. You don’t have to worry about clearing your plans with your significant other or worry about feeling obligated to bring them along, especially if they don’t have the same taste in music. - You can go off the grid.
When you’re in a relationship, you have to notify your S.O. if you’re going out with friends, or, if you’re traveling without them, you have to constantly update the other person on your whereabouts. When you’re single, go on a solo trip, shut off your phone, and completely immerse yourself in the beauty of your environment without having to fret if you’ve missed a text message. - There's no emotional roller coaster.
Even in healthy relationships where it’s more like a kiddie coaster, there will still be spats over whose turn it is to do the dishes or misunderstandings due to text messages. Truth is, your life will be almost argument-free while you’re single, unless your sister completely forgets to send you a birthday present. - You can flirt.
Girls nights out are much more fun when you have the freedom to flirt with the cute guy at the end of the bar, and you won’t have to feel guilty when guys buy you drinks throughout the night. You don’t have to be home at a certain time, so if your girlfriends want to stay out until 5 am, you won’t have to bail early. - You have quality time with your friends.
Instead of trying (and probably failing) to find a good balance of splitting your time between your significant other and your close friends, you can devote all of your free time to watching Gossip Girl reruns and eating too much chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with your close friends. - You learn to take care of yourself.
Because there isn’t someone else in your life who is paying your rent and utilities when you can’t cover it or buying you food right before payday, you are forced to financially support yourself. Learning independence and budgeting skills will come in handy, even when you do find the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. - You learn to love yourself.
You don’t have to act a certain way around a significant other, so you can spend some time learning to love yourself for exactly for who you are, free of anyone else’s influence. Especially if you’ve been in a bad relationship before where your self-confidence was shattered, you now have the opportunity to entirely focus on yourself and the things that you love.
