The Only Partner I Need Is Myself

While the rest of the coupled world wants to see a single woman as one with serious relationship issues and a desperate cling to dream of true love, that notion couldn’t be further from the truth. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re really alone, and the pure freedom that comes with a single status should be celebrated.

  1. You can get closer than close to your friends. There is no balancing act between your boyfriend and your best friends. The squad gets your full attention, and with that comes close relationships and a plethora of inside jokes. If you’re not taking advantage of hanging out with your friends as much as you possibly can, then you’re putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. Boyfriends tend to come and go, but your girls are forever.
  2. You’re more likely to meet new people. If you get over the idea that being single is just a period of transition from one relationship to the next, you can embrace the world for as big as it is. Because you’re free from any romantic reins, you’re open to expanding your circle and trying new things. It’s easier to reinvent yourself and take on a new hobby when you’re single, so do it.
  3. You’re more likely to get out of your comfort zone. Adopting an “IDGAF” attitude is the best thing you can do for yourself and your period of singlehood. When the only person who cares about your image is you, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it — no matter how weird or how embarrassing.
  4. You can reinvent yourself without worry. Take that pole dancing class you’ve always wanted to try but were too worried your boyfriend might think you’re trying to become a stripper on the side. Let go of what other potential significant others might say and only focus on yourself. The less you care about other people’s opinions, the happier you’ll be (and that goes for being single or being in a relationship).
  5. You don’t have to think twice about jealousy. What could quite possibly be the most freeing thing about being single is that you’re not worried about anyone cheating on you. Sure, you could stay up late panicking over the thought that you might die alone, or you could sleep soundly knowing there’s no guy in the universe right now who could betray your trust. Relationships are wonderful, but they do tend come with a lot of unnecessary BS. Count your lucky stars that you currently don’t have to deal with it.
  6. You can be completely selfish. You can spend $100 on your hair. You can take a trip to Italy just because. You can stay in and watch a million romantic comedies. You can decorate your entire apartment in blush tones and glitter. Everything you do, every decision you make, is all about you and what you want. Embrace the fact that you are your only concern right now to the absolute fullest.
  7. You’re free to change careers/towns/hair color without a second thought. No checking in with your sweetie to see how he feels about pink streaks or moving to Miami. Your life is your own and you can design it in whatever what you want. So stop worrying about how to make your Tinder profile say “girlfriend material” without coming off as desperate and focus your energy on things that could actually make you happy. And besides, being happy IS “girlfriend material”.
  8. You can drunk call your exes without too much consequence. There’s just something about having a few cocktails that make reminiscing on the good ol’ days really fun. When you’re single, you can make as many mistakes as you please (within reason) without anyone really to make amends to. You’re allowed to text/make out/sleep with whoever. Just try to make sure that whatever casual dating you’re getting into is safe and fun for you.
  9. You can take your time figuring out if you want a relationship or not. No rush and no pressure is the name of your game. Forget your biological clock or the fact that all your sorority sisters have like three kids now, and just take your time. When you love your life as a single woman, you’re protective of it. You’re more hesitant to give up your freedom for someone, and that means you’re gonna pick a better partner.
Emily is a writer, dog mom, and occasional narcissist living in what her mom refers to as “a bubble.” Geographically speaking, it’s more like Daytona Beach, Florida. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, she is a community editor for a local newspaper and spends most of her time trying to convince her dog to cuddle.
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