Whether you’re single because you like it that way or it’s just the way that things have worked out, you’re still living an amazing life. Whatever your situation, there are a few things that you need in order to not only survive, but to thrive in the single life.
- Super supportive BFFs. Amazing best friends are basically required if you’re solo. There are no two ways about it. Your friends need to be more than amazing, though – they need to be so supportive that if you said you were moving to the moon tomorrow, they would say it was the best idea ever. Who needs a friend who’s just going to make you feel bad just because you’re not in a relationship?
- Girly TV obsessions. Sometimes it’s pretty awesome to curl up on the couch after a long, hard day at work and watch exactly what you feel like. Usually that’s your millionth re-watch of Sex and the City or the girly reality show you can’t help but be addicted to. You just can’t be single without having lots of TV time.
- Funny dates. Not bad dates – although, of course, you definitely go on your fair share of those. Funny dates are an entirely different level of bad date. These are the evenings when you feel like you’re having an out-of-body experience because the person sitting across from you is so weird. Or when your date literally leaves without saying goodbye (true story).
- Productive work days. There seems to be some kind of rule that being single means your job is your boyfriend. It’s kind of true. You can comfort yourself with the thought of how awesome you are at your career when you get fed up with still being solo. It could be worse, after all – you could have super boring job that you hate and be single, too.
- Massive dreams. Not dreams like having kids or getting married although those count too. But dreams that involve what you truly want to do, not what you think society wants from you. Dreams that make you believe in the world again and that get you to a place professionally and personally that you never thought you would be. These could include becoming a total fitness buff or successfully eating clean or starting your own business.
- A realistic attitude. You know the days of meeting people super easily are long gone and that you have to put in a certain amount of effort if you want to date. You don’t fault yourself for any of this and always know when it’s time to take a break from the search so you don’t get burnt out. But you get that sometimes you’re not someone’s cup of tea, either.
- A self-care regimen. Not having much luck with dating can take its toll on you physically and emotionally. You should be taking care of yourself, whatever that means to you – a few nights in a week with your TV or making sure you actually work-out.
- Zero expectations. You’re not going to survive the single life if you feel like you’re going to die if you don’t get a boyfriend tomorrow. It’s probably not going to happen that quickly and you really have no idea when it will. Approach each new day and each new date with no expectations and you’ll be fine.
- No jealously. It’s easy to think that your friend’s life is super perfect just because she’s had the best boyfriend for five years straight. But maybe she’s still struggling her find her place in the working world or dealing with some health issue. You never know what people are going through so try not to think the grass is greener. It’s really not.
- Optimism. What’s life without a positive attitude? Not much. As long as you wake up each day with a smile on your face and realize how good you have it, nothing can stand in your way – not even your single status.
Featured image via Izabela Habur/iStock