Contrary to what dating app commercials and jewelry ads have to say, everyone isn’t searching for their one true love.
In fact, 72% of millennials make a conscious choice to be single.
While misconceptions about singlehood might make this decision seem odd, a growing number of millennials are embracing this choice and deciding to wait for longer periods of time before pursuing serious relationships.
Here are four reasons why millennials are waiting to get into a relationship:
1. Independence
Many people who choose to remain single do so because they value their independence.
Someone who is single can choose to take or leave a job, travel across the globe, adopt a pet, or make any number of other significant life decisions without consulting anyone else or worrying about how their decision will affect a partner.
Being single gives millennials the opportunity to be independent and spend time doing the activities and hobbies they enjoy in a way that they wouldn’t be able to do were they in a relationship.
According to a recent Tinder survey, millennials who choose to stay single find that they benefit from making new friendships, taking up new hobbies, trying new activities, and traveling the world. For instance, more millennials are engaging in solo travel than in previous years.
With all of the benefits that come from being single and independent, it is no surprise that a growing number of millennials are deciding to stay single.
2. Self-improvement
Millennials often wait until they feel like they are capable of being a good partner before they seek out a relationship. Whether this means being in good physical shape, having a solid career position, or even a strong mental state, millennials focus on self-improvement before finding love.
Dubbed the “therapy generation” by the Wall Street Journal, millennials are more likely to seek mental health treatment than many other age groups. As a result, there are many millennials who are aware of thought-patterns, habits, and negative behaviors that they need to address before getting into a relationship with someone else.
Instead of bringing distrust, codependent behaviors, and anger issues into a relationship, some millennials find that it is better for them to stay single while they work on bettering themselves.
As millennials recognize that they have to focus on self-improvement to be the best possible partner to someone else, many of them are opting to stay single longer to work on making positive lifestyle changes.
3. Educational and career goals
In the Tinder survey, 45% of respondents said they wanted to stay single so they could focus on their careers, and 41% chose to stay single to prioritize obtaining a degree or otherwise furthering their education.
Millennials with ambitious educational and career goals are far more likely to wait until they’ve achieved those goals before diving into a serious relationship that could sidetrack their progress.
4. Higher expectations
With over 1,000 online dating sites and apps available, people have more options for finding a partner than ever before. Couple that with increased freedom and financial independence, and it makes sense why millennials remain single longer- they can afford to take their time and have high expectations.
Long gone are the days where an individual would need a partner before getting approved for a loan, buying a home, or even having a baby. Long gone are the days when people would run out of potential romantic prospects after the age of 30.
Millennials aren’t in a rush to settle down because they don’t have to be. They will have ample opportunities and resources to find a partner down the road when they are ready, and they can still lead a full life in the meantime.
This means that they can be more choosy when it comes time to pick a partner, and they don’t feel like they have to settle for less than they deserve in their relationships.
Although it might not seem like a popular idea, choosing to stay single is more common among millennials than many people might think.
Singlehood offers many unique benefits for millennials, and their desire to maintain their independence, focus on self-improvement, reach their educational and career goals, and wait until they find someone who meets their expectations allows them to enjoy this time in their lives.
