As we start approaching “cuffing season,” the message that singleness is sad is increasingly prevalent.

When people say they are single, they are often met with “comforting” phrases like, “You’ll find someone soon,” or “It’s okay, I’m sure the right one will come along.”

While the people who say statements like these generally mean well, this pity is often out of place.

Being single is not a bad thing. There are many reasons why a person may be single, and being single can also be more beneficial than many people might think.

The benefits of being single

Here are a few of the many benefits of being single:

Opportunities for “me time”

Sometimes people in relationships feel like they lose themselves to their partner’s interests. They also have to make themselves available to support, date, and communicate with their partner.

When a person is single, they are able to focus on themselves and their own needs. If they feel tired after a long day of work, they can eat their favorite meal and binge-watch their favorite television show without any problems. 

Someone who is single can devote hours to working out, playing an instrument, reading a book, or simply taking a nap without having someone interrupt their “me time” or complain about the way they are spending their time.

Community

It can be difficult for people in relationships to branch out and make strong friendships and connections with others. This is because people in relationships often invest a lot of their spare time into building and strengthening their romantic relationships.

Single people, on the other hand, don’t have to pour time and attention into a relationship, so they are often better able to connect with other individuals and build a strong sense of community with others.

Freedom with decision-making

Another benefit of being single is the opportunity to make decisions without consulting someone else.

A single person can decide to take a last-minute trip or go out with friends for dinner on a whim. They do not have to coordinate schedules with someone else, compromise on an itinerary, or make sure their plans involve a partner.

Single people are generally able to be more flexible when it comes to making decisions and plans.

This freedom can relieve a lot of stress and anxiety and allow those who are single to take advantage of opportunities they may not otherwise have.

Misunderstanding singlehood

Even though there are clearly many advantages to being single, many people misunderstand singlehood. This is typically for a few reasons:

  • Societal pressure to be with a partner and start a family
  • Fear of loneliness
  • Misconceptions about how partners contribute to feelings of happiness and completeness

However, there are many reasons why some people choose to be single:

Self-assurance

Being single can also be a sign that a person is self-confident and self-assured enough to be comfortable with themselves and avoid compromising on their standards.

Sometimes people rush into relationships simply because they don’t want to be single. When this happens, they are more likely to lower their standards or settle for less than what they deserve.

When people are single, it might be because they haven’t found someone who they are genuinely interested in connecting with at this stage in their life.

Self-awareness

Some people are so concerned with being in a relationship that they don’t pause to think about whether they would even make a good partner themselves.

If an individual isn’t ready for a relationship or they have personal issues they need to work through in therapy, it isn’t wise for them to jump into a relationship.

Some single people choose to be single because they know that they need to prioritize self-improvement and working on themselves before committing to a relationship with someone else.

Self-discovery

Being single gives individuals more opportunities to travel, pursue their interests, and learn about themselves without developing their identity around someone else.

Many single people choose to be single because they want to learn about their passions, hobbies, and identities without feeling limited within a relationship.

When they surround themselves with great friendships and strong communities, understand that their value and happiness comes from within and not from another person, and ignore the pressures placed on them by society, single people will find that singlehood is a gift.