Looking On The Bright Side: The Benefits of Being Single

Now i'm not saying that it isn't wonderful to be in a relationship. But having been single longer than i've been in a relationship as most people my age have probably been - unless you started dating non-stop when you were twelve...

  {Shout-out to the one couple I know that actually has.}

. . . it is safe to say, that I have learned a thing or two about self happiness.  I mean, I totally get wanting to be in a relationship and, yes, it is nice when you have that special someone who is thinking about you constantly, texting you to ask how your day is going or telling you goodnight/sweet dreams. BUT I do NOT (and we've already discovered that i'm not the 'typical girl') but, I just can not understand wanting to be in a relationship so bad that being single makes daily living unhappy.  I mean geez! Cheer the heck up people! Have you forgotten how fun life was before you knew of the joys of dating? (Can't talk about marriage though - never been there. That may be another ball park.) 

So, not as a bash to all the love birds out there but to counteract the million "Why I love...[insert name here]" posts, i've decided to compose a "Why I Love Being Single" post (or perhaps a 'How To..." for those who don't).

WHY I LOVE BEING SINGLE

1) No gift buying pressure. No Christmas, Valentines, Birthday, Anniversary, Get Well, I'm Sorry, Congrats, Thinking About You gift buying pressure. Sure it's nice to receive a thoughtful gift from that special someone who you expect knows you best. But honestly, when you buy gifts for each other, you have to admit that there is a tad bit of anxiety over buying him/her the 'right gift', spending at least as much as they spent on you, spending more than they spent on you, buying them something they can be proud to brag about or other similar stress related moments. Granted its the 'thought' that counts, but... let's just say a "thoughtful" Papier-mâché model of the Eiffel Tower as a promise to take you there "one day" doesn't actually outweigh the real thing. Jus' sayin.

2) Freedom To Be Fat, Lazy, Greedy, Stinky, etc. When you don't have anyone to impress, whats the problem with skipping out on a shower or three? None. If you want to sit in your house in your pajamas on your only day or two off and eat cereal, watch soap operas/chick flicks/sports, etc. why not? So onions taste great on that burger but make your breath smell bad - it's okay! The cheese on said burger gives you uncontrollable gas??? Let it out girl!

3) You Can Have Spontaneous Fun! Now don't get me wrong, you can have a lot of fun being in a relationship. But, you can also have a lot of fun NOT being in a relationship. Sometimes I look at having a significant other as being similar to having a child. People just "expect" you two to be together. "Oh, I got these awesome tickets to a concert next week - hotel paid, free airfare, breakfast and of course the concert! I have two more tickets to bring along two friends..." Guess who is not getting invited? You! 'Cause I've got two tickets and you're always with him/her. And I'm just NOT wasting that other ticket on your Siamese twin. Sorry not sorry.

4) No Break Up Drama, or the threat of it. Obviously.

5) You Can Have Time Alone. Ever had a long day where you're just glad to be home? The kind of day where you can kick off your shoes, lift up your feet and relax with a nice glass of wine (or a Mike's Hard Pink Lemonade for me)? Are you really thinking, "Geez, I wish I had a girlfriend/boyfriend here right now?" Well, yeah, maybe to rub your back or something. But i'd rather not deal with entertaining the following "how was your day", "what are we doing for dinner", "lets make out", "we never spend time together cause your always working so hard" scenarios. Nope, a nice bubble bath with a little Epsom salt will do just the trick.

6) Appreciation of the value of a relationship. You know the old adage - "You never miss something until its gone." The longer you are not in a relationship the more you can appreciate being in one. This is not to be confused with "the more you're willing to settle." When you begin to understand that relationships shouldn't be changed like underwear - you learn to look past more things, work through more things, love wholly and unconditionally.

7) Appreciation of the value of you. This well has been dry for about three years now (I know hard to believe with all this hawtness, lol, just kidding). But while I've had time and moments when i've said "I miss being in a relationship", I've also come to realize that, now just really is not the best time for me to be in one. I'm not ready (i.e. willing) to deal with any drama of being supportive (even when I don't feel like it), sharing a bed on hot sweaty nights, etc. Also, financially and academically, life is just easier without having someone that I want to endlessly dote on/spoil.

8) Travel. We all have had that dream of traveling with your companion on trips to London or Japan or wherever. But what if they have a job? Or a family? Or other financial obligations? Do you just go on the trip anyways and promise to bring back a souvenir? (Granted I did something similar to this before - we broke up within a few weeks of my return.) Nope. You put that dream aside for a few months, which turns into years, and eventually a lifetime. How depressing.

9) The Chance To Fall in Love. Next to marriage/honeymoon - this is usually the most reminisced part of being in a relationship. Remember the butterflies in your stomach? The awkward flirting? The instant rise in heart beat every time your phone rings out with a call or text? The first kiss? The bliss of laying down, replaying that perfect date from earlier? If you're single - you stand the chance of experiencing that all over again! ❤

Granted, someone could probably rewrite all these things into a "Why I HATE being single" list (and I don't doubt some of you pessimists probably did the whole time you were reading it). Do I want to be in a steady relationship? Eventually. Heck, maybe i'll meet Prince Charming tomorrow, BUT all i'm saying is - right now i'm single. And I'm perfectly okay with that.

Happy Valentines Day!