Let’s be honest: if you take a look anywhere, be it social media, movies, or just the world, there is a not-so-subtle (or subtle) message that having a relationship is being whole. How about if being single and being independent were the two most empowering and satisfying territories that you could occupy? It’s time to change the storyline and revel in the virtues of solitude. Here are the 9 greatest advantages of being single and independent – announced backward, as the best is still ahead.
6. Improved Friendships and Family Relations
If you are not in a relationship, you will definitely have more time and energy to invest in the development of your friendships and family relationships. Thanks to these relationships, you can also increase the size of your social circle and have a reliable support system. In the words of one expert, “deepening relationships with friends and family and creating your social network without the restrictions that are sometimes found with being in a relationship” is what being single is all about (The Perks of Being Single: Embracing Independence and Self-Discovery).
5. No Compromise Necessary
Relationships consist mainly of compromises, which most of the time require you to give up your own needs or wants. Singlehood, on the other hand, gives you such freedom that it is impossible to imagine self-sacrifice for another person’s happiness. Guilt-free, you can combine your own needs with goals. According to Maplewood Counseling, “Singlehood doesn’t require you to sacrifice for someone else’s happiness.”
4. Autonomy to Explore and Be Spontaneous
Single life = freedom. Want to go traveling on a whim? Pick up a new hobby? Move to a new town? Do it all without needing to consult a partner. This freedom to act spontaneously can lead you on some of life’s biggest adventures. As The Bloom Room points out, “You can make last-minute plans, travel on a whim, and seize new opportunities as they arise.”
3. Better Emotional Well-being
Learning how to be happy and content alone is a great life skill. Being single gives you the time to learn about yourself, self-care, and inner peace. As The Bloom Room says, “Learning to love and appreciate yourself on your own can lead to more emotional strength and happiness.”
2. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
Without the presence of a significant other, you have the opportunity to focus on your own desires and needs, leading to an even better understanding of yourself. This period of self-knowledge has the potential to make you a more self-confident, confident individual, ready for whatever life brings. According to More Magazine, “Embracing independence and self-discovery set a clear path for me to have what I want in a significant other and what I can provide.”
1. Complete Freedom and Authenticity
As a writer put it so plainly, “Choosing yourself means discovering your own voice amid the noise of society, identifying your worth without depending on others’ approval, and making choices that give you a feeling of authenticity” (What Does It Mean To Choose Yourself?).
Next time, when someone asks why you haven’t gotten married yet, you can just smile and tell them that you are too occupied doing what you do best – your way.
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