I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not defined by another person.
-Oscar Wilde
Can Singledom be awesome?
Being single is not a curse, it’s a blessing. The reality is, 110.6 million Americans ages 18 or older (or 45.2 percent) are single, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This number just keeps going up. And people are staying single longer; in 2018, the highest median ages ever for a first marriage were reported: 28 years for women and 30 years for men. In 2023 there are more single people than ever before.
We always hear so much about the merits of being in a couple, but I want to remind you that living a single life can provide many wonderful assets. Here are some reasons why I love being single and you should too.
1. I get to sleep in a plush queen-sized bed all by myself. And I don’t have to share the blanket. The covers are ALWAYS on MY side and usually wrapped completely around me by morning. The only other creature in my bed is my adorable cat, who sometimes takes up more space than a human would. The best part is, I can sleep in my cozy flannel pajamas without feeling bad. No more uncomfortable nighties that get tangled and twisted. I’ve had enough of waking up with my thong strangling my big toe. Ouch!
2. I have the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. So, nobody is judging me or telling me what to do. If I want to parade down Main Street waving a British flag and singing “God save the Queen!” I can and I will. Even if I get some weird looks or angry comments it would still be MY choice. But all kidding aside, I don’t have to answer to anyone for anything, and I like that.
3. It doesn’t matter what I look like at any time of the day or night. I don’t need to impress anyone with my appearance or my hygiene. At 6 AM I can wear my old moth-eaten robe from the 90’s, relax and drink a hot cup of tea.
4. Vacations are so much fun. There’s nothing better than hanging out alone in a fancy hotel room with a bottle of champagne and a good book. I can visit any place I want, like the Museum of Purple People Eaters, soak in the Jacuzzi tub for hours and order room service for every meal without having to watch Fox News….Not even once!
5. I can relax at a nice restaurant. Sitting by myself at a table always gives me the opportunity to meet new people or enjoy some solitude. People watching is fun too. I don’t mind when the waiter asks me, “Will someone be joining you?” or “Just one?” (This last comment is always said with an incredulous look spiced with a dash of pity.) I smile and say, “Yes, just one, thank you.”
6. I don’t have to cook anything I don’t like. This means no more cabbage or brussel sprouts. Therefore, I can create my own menu with all of my favorites, or I can order pizza or Chinese food without worrying about pleasing anyone else. Casseroles and BBQs are overrated.
7. The toilet seat is always in the right position. So, my hands stay clean, and my bottom stays dry. And when I stumble into the bathroom at midnight in the dark, I don’t fall into a wet toilet. Why is it that after decades of practice men seem to be unable to aim for the water or put the toilet seat back down? I think if women were blessed with a man’s appendage, it would only take them to the age of 3 to hit the target.
8. Watching football is not on my itinerary. Because it’s not my cup of tea to watch grown men tackling and hurting each other in the name of sports. I don’t mind baseball or basketball, but football is a no-go for me.
9. I only have to deal with my own opinions. My weight, hairstyle or my third visit to traffic school is my business. No more excuses about how I barely eat anything, I need a new stylist or the police officer was biased against blonds. I know the truth and the person I talk to in the shower (that’s ME) generally agrees with me. So, There!
Being single can be a really good thing. So, the next time one of your partnered friends tries to make you feel bad about your life, remember that happiness comes in different forms. Your happiness may not look like theirs, but it’s still happiness, plain and simple.
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