Being in a relationship has its perks. Companionship, intimacy, and the feeling of being loved and in love aren’t to be underestimated, but I’ve noticed a lot of non-romantic advantages to having a boyfriend as well.
- I can have a bigger network of friends. When I get into a relationship, my boyfriend is usually psyched to introduce me to his friends and he wants to meet mine. As a result, I end up making new friends even after my relationships with the guy ends. Being introduced to new friends by a partner is a less daunting way of expanding my network and it makes being in a relationship more fun because we get to do hangouts where we can combine our friend groups and have a good time.
- I gain a new family. It’s great when things get serious enough with a guy that he decides to bring you home to meet his parents and siblings. The initial meeting is always a bit nerve-racking, but once I get over the first meeting jitters, the family tends to embrace me as one of their own and it ends up feeling like I have two sets of parents and more brothers and sisters.
- I discover new passions, hobbies, and interests. One of the best ways to make life more exciting is to try new things, and what better way to do that than to try something different that your boyfriend likes to do? I always try to stay open-minded and rarely say no flat-out unless my guy suggests something I’m totally against. Because of this, I end up with lots of new hobbies like clay shooting and even snowboarding. Granted, I sometimes try things I don’t like at all, but at least being willing to give it a go makes my life so much richer.
- Shared experiences are cheaper. When you’re going out to a restaurant, going to theme parks, or traveling the world, there are often couple deals which are less expensive than rolling solo. This is a huge perk! I get better rooms at hotels, fancier meals for cheaper, and so much more just for having a boyfriend. Love it!
- I become a better person. Each relationship teaches me something new about myself, about different people, and how to better react in situations. I learn to be more self-aware, more considerate, and more attentive so that I can be a better partner to my boyfriend and a better friend to my friends. There’s no downside to that, right?
- I’m less insecure. Being in a loving relationship has a way of boosting one’s self-confidence. Having a boyfriend who believes the best in me and encourages me towards my goals and assures me that I’ll get through a rough patch because he has my back makes me feel invincible and like I can kick ass. Also, having a partner who always tells you how pretty you look makes you feel affirmed and reminds you to give yourself more self-love. I often forget to compliment myself, so this is a welcome reminder.
- Staying at home no longer makes me feel like a loser. Having a night in on the weekend is more enjoyable when you have a partner. You can enjoy bumming around without feeling the pressure of going out with friends. Instead, I get to enjoy pamper sessions, bad TV, and have my cheat days more often now with no judging eyes just because I can.
- The holidays are so much more fun. Let’s be frank: I get more gifts, embrace new traditions, and even go to more holiday parties because I have two families and two sets of friends to do it all with. When you get tired of hanging out with your family or a lot of your friends go away for the holidays, it can get pretty lonely. It helps to have someone else’s family and friends you can hang out with to keep things interesting.
- I have a readily available travel buddy. I love traveling! Wanderlust is a quality I look for in guys I date. I like to plan multiple mini getaways during the year so that I have something to look forward to. I’ve found that when you have a boyfriend, you can spontaneously get away without much planning and have a romantic yet fun experience while being around someone who enjoys traveling as much as you do. Also, as much as I enjoy traveling alone, going on trips with a partner makes for a better experience that we can both remember and talk about for years to come.
