Are you a woman always on the hunt for those #relationshipgoals moments? Do you spend too much time lusting after those women with the ‘perfect’ soulmates and Insta-worthy date nights? If you’re unhappily single, take a moment to appreciate this time in your life for what it is: An opportunity to focus on yourself.
Being single is important. It’s a time to learn who you are, create friendships and get ahead in life without distractions. But most importantly, it teaches you to love yourself. Here are seven reasons why you should love being single.
When you have a partner constantly by your side, you don’t always remember to give your mom a call or text your best friend to check in. The Journal of Marriage and Family found that cohabiting couples are less likely than single people to keep in contact with friends, family and neighbors. Relationships take a lot of time and energy. When you are single, you can reconnect with the loved ones that have been with you from the beginning. They’re the ones that aren’t going anywhere in your life so don’t take them for granted.
Relationships, especially series ones, can result in a dependence on one another, a need to feel connected. Although this security is awesome, it can also mean that you don’t take personal time to self reflect and develop your individual identity. In Deborah Hecker’s “Who Am I Without My Partner?” she advises that the adult goal to be autonomous, or psychologically independent, is much easier to accomplish when you’re single. So when you’re taking a break from dating, do a little self-exploration and learn what makes you the best version of yourself.
With no one to distract you, take on that #girlboss attitude and chase those dreams. If an opportunity arises and you land that awesome internship or you have to move to San Francisco for a job, remember that nothing is stopping you. You can prioritize yourself and your work endeavors first. This ability to just go where the wind takes you is a lot more difficult when you’re in a committed relationship, especially if you’ve already established a home and have children. When you’re a single woman, you have an excuse to be selfish and put yourself first.
When you’re single, there’s no reason to not go on that trip to Santorini, Greece or that yoga trip to India. You only have to worry about your own schedule. So if you have a chance to get out there and see the world, you’re definitely packing your bags and catching the next plane.
Maybe you just got out of a long-term relationship. Maybe you’re just taking a break from the dating scene. Either way, this is the perfect time in your life to pick up new hobbies and try new things. If there is that hobby you have always wanted to try, this is the perfect time to get involved. Go to baseball games, learn to crochet, take cooking classes. Utilize your free time and cultivate the woman you want to be by revisiting past hobbies or even creating new ones.
Now that you’re single, you don’t have to worry about what your partner wants. You don’t have to cater to any other person’s needs besides your own. This can eliminate a lot of stress in your life. According to a 2005 University of Michigan study, single people stress less than those in relationships. For example, they do much less housework than married people. Take this time to appreciate your new drama-less life.
Being a single woman is not a worst-case scenario. You don’t have to be dating someone to have fun. Don’t look at this time in your life as boring. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to do all of the fun things you wouldn’t do if you were in a relationship. This is a perfect time to be selfish and love yourself, so go ahead and don’t hold back!
