How to Enjoy Being Single When Others Are in a Relationship
- Have you ever felt frustrated with being single?
- Do you struggle with feeling content and fulfilled in your life without a romantic partner?
- Are you ready to embrace the unique benefits and enjoy being single?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to start learning to love being single. If most friends are in a relationship, you may find it hard to hang out with these couples, let alone have relatives constantly asking you when you will find someone or why you are still single. However, being single can be an amazing and empowering journey, filled with opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and the chance to live life on your own terms. By embracing the journey and learning to love your own company, you can still build a fulfilling life.
Problems of Being Single
Loneliness
One reason that many people feel dissatisfied with being single is that they feel lonely. Some may feel sad about being single, or even say “I hate being single”. You may be someone who is feeling the pressure of their twenties to settle down and get married. You may see other people getting engaged and wish that were you. Additionally, you may also want to start a family and find someone to raise kids with. Your plans for the future make your present self feel lonely or behind in life.
Also, you may feel lonely because your other friends are in relationships, and they hang out with their significant other a lot. Their relationship takes up a lot of their time, making you feel alone. You may find that you are always the only single friend, and you are tired of looking
Dating App Problems
Dating apps can be challenging for people to navigate. There are many problems with dating apps. For one, many people can get ghosted online. Finding a meaningful match with someone online can get you excited. You may think it will finally work out this time!
Unfortunately, you get ghosted in online dating once again. People can get ghosted before they even go out (i.e., the person doesn’t respond after setting a plan)or after a date. Even worse, some people get ghosted after actually dating. The Conversation shared that 29% of the respondents ghosted someone they had dated, and 25% got ghosted.
Dating apps can also sometimes be unsafe or make you come across people with many red flags. They can also affect your self-esteem and make you feel bad about yourself if you aren’t getting enough matches or swipes.
Family and Society Stress
You may be dealing with family stress. For example, you may feel pressured or even anxious over the judgment from families and relatives. Society also puts pressure on people to date and settle down. So many movies, shows, and songs are centered around love or romance – finding a partner feels crucial to living a well-adjusted and accomplished life. Furthermore, many people put pressure on women, especially to have kids at a certain age. If a woman is getting older and is still not married, they will start feeling the pressure.
Lacking in Other Areas
Sometimes, people look to romantic relationships to fill certain voids in their life. You may go through a friendship breakup or feel like you lack friends/family members; this time in your life can make you feel lonely and yearn for a close relationship with someone else. You may not even necessarily want to be romantically involved with someone but desire someone to be close to.
How to Enjoy Being Single
If you feel sad about being single, know that things can get better and that you are not alone (even if you feel that way)! Here are some ways how to enjoy being single:
1, Realize that Being Single Doesn’t Define You
Remember that you are not defined by whether you are in a relationship or not. Being single does not make you who you are; your heart, ideas, dreams, passions, and interests do. Try to look at a relationship as a happy bonus that you could add to your already fulfilling life.
In fact, you can find joy and fulfillment in solitude. For example, engaging in hobbies and interests is a great way to pass the time and keep yourself occupied. Whether you’re painting, reading, or playing sports, having activities you enjoy can help you to feel more fulfilled and satisfied.
Cultivating a strong support system of friends and family is another important aspect of enjoying being single. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can help you to feel more connected and fulfilled, even when you’re not in a romantic relationship. Volunteering and giving back to the community can also provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
2, Remember the Benefits of Being Single
Increased Independence
One of the biggest benefits of being single is increased independence. Without the constraints of a romantic relationship, you have the freedom to focus on yourself and your own goals. You can travel, explore new hobbies and interests, and pursue personal growth without having to take anyone else’s needs into consideration.
Time for Personal Growth
Another benefit of being single is the time for self-discovery and personal growth. You have the chance to get to know yourself better, to understand your strengths and weaknesses, and to pursue your passions and aspirations. This can be a valuable experience that can help you to become a stronger and more confident person, no matter what your future holds.
Being single can help you grow and learn about yourself in many ways. This stage allows you to honor yourself and appreciate your own company and the energy you exude. You can value yourself more, discover interests you never thought you’d have, expand your perspective, and ultimately increase self-love throughout this stage.
Enjoy Being Single Because of Financial Freedom
Being single can also bring financial freedom, allowing you to save money, invest in yourself, or treat yourself to experiences and possessions you might not have been able to afford otherwise. Finally, being single provides opportunities for new experiences and adventures. Whether you’re exploring new places, trying new things, or meeting new people, singlehood can be a time of exciting change and growth.
3, Lean on Friends and Support
Lean on your support system as a way how to survive being single during cuffing season. Just because you don’t have a relationship during the holidays doesn’t mean you are alone. Remember that being alone does not mean that you have to be lonely. You can spend the holidays with loved ones that like families and friends. Your chosen family can be there if you don’t have a family.
Love is not only confined to romantic love. There are many ways to experience love. Many people, especially in the LGBTQ + community, find love through their chosen family. A chosen family is comprised of the people you meet that become your family or support system (even if you aren’t actually related).
Who says you can’t do fun holiday things with your friends or family? You don’t need to wait to go ice skating or drink hot cocoa with a significant other; you can do all these activities with family and friends.
4, Dealing with Loneliness and Negative Thoughts
Despite the benefits of being single, loneliness and negative thoughts can still arise. It’s important to challenge limiting beliefs about being single and to understand the difference between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness is a negative emotional state, while solitude is simply the state of being alone. By embracing solitude as a positive experience, you can reduce feelings of loneliness and find fulfillment in your own company.
You may be single because you are still grieving a breakup. Breakups can take a toll on someone’s health; taking the time to heal from this separation and care for yourself is essential.
In addition, talking to someone you trust about your experiences can provide a sense of validation and help you to feel more connected. Finally, embracing alone time as an opportunity for growth and reflection can help you to see the positive aspects of singlehood and to find meaning and purpose in your experiences.
5, Set Boundaries and Stand Up for Yourself
Society or people you know may make you feel bad about being single. They may ask you when you’re getting into a relationship and pressure you to settle down and get married. Remember that you are on your timeline and life, and you don’t have to live by anyone else’s expectations except your own. Don’t be afraid to tell people “no” and set firm boundaries. To learn more about doing so, read our article here.
6, Take a Social Media Cleanse
Scrolling on social media during cuffing season may make you feel lonely. Seeing people post couples’ pictures or videos might make you feel bad about being single. If you feel like you aren’t using healthy social media habits, taking some time off of social media and detoxing can help. Unplugging and spending time with real-life people can help you socialize more, feel less alone, and even meet someone new you connect with.
7, Practice Gratitude and Acceptance
Practicing gratitude and acceptance can be a great way to cope with loneliness while single. Gratitude also helps people feel more positive in life. Gratefulness makes people feel more happiness and help lower depressive emotions. Studies also show that gratitude helps lower stress levels in anxious people.
Gratitude journaling is a great way to practice gratefulness in your life. Find somewhere comfortable to write, get a piece of paper or journal, and jot down a list of people or things you are grateful for. You can practice this exercise once or twice a week. These practices will show you reasons to appreciate your life and help you feel grounded in all you shave.
Finally, practicing mindfulness and self-care is essential for enjoying being single. Whether it’s meditating, taking long walks, or simply taking time for yourself, making self-care a priority can help you to feel more grounded and fulfilled.
8, Date Yourself to Enjoy Being Single
Take yourself out on a dates and practice self-love and care. Buy yourself flowers, take yourself out to a nice dinner, or go on an adventure. You can do anything you want in life and don’t need a significant other to do so. Remember that you are worthy of spending time and energy on yourself and doing things that make you happy!
Embracing the adventure of being single is all about making the most of your time alone and living life on your own terms. Here are some tips for embracing the adventure of being single:
Travel and Explore New Places:
Take advantage of your independence by traveling to new places and experiencing new cultures. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe, exploring the wilderness, or simply visiting a new city for the weekend, traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience.
Meet New People:
Expanding your social circle can help you to feel more connected and fulfilled. Try joining clubs, organizations, or groups that align with your interests, or attend events and parties where you can meet new people.
Try New Activities:
Being single provides the perfect opportunity to try new activities and hobbies. Whether it’s taking a cooking class, learning a new language, or trying a new sport, pursuing your interests and passions can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Focus on Personal Goals and Aspirations:
Take advantage of your time alone to focus on your personal goals and aspirations. Whether you’re working on a project, pursuing a new career, or simply developing a new skill, focusing on your own growth can help you to feel more confident and fulfilled.
Live Life on Your Own Terms:
Being single allows you to live life on your own terms, without having to consider anyone else’s needs or expectations. Embrace this freedom and live life in a way that feels authentic and true to you.
By embracing the adventure of being single, you can make the most of this exciting chapter in your life and discover new passions, interests, and experiences that will enrich your life and make you a stronger, more confident person.
9, Try Therapy
Therapy can help you if you are struggling with being single. Counseling for romance is not just reserved for couples in relationships; you can get relationship advice from a therapist even if you are single! Counseling can help you learn how to healthily and happily enjoy being single.
A therapist can advise you on navigate being single, building your self-esteem, working through loneliness, and ultimately living a more fulfilled life. Your therapist can also help you with other challenges and give you the tools to become the best version of yourself. Our team would love to support you in any way!
Also, if you are going through a breakup, counseling/therapy can help! A therapist can help someone through a breakup by supporting them, giving them the tools they need to move on, helping them embrace their emotions, and starting their healing journey.
Content Creator, Victoria Gallo; Reviewed by Dr. June Cao