A funny thing happens the longer you’re single: you start to really like it. At first, it was a necessary evil that you just kind of endured. You’d rather have had a boyfriend but you knew that being on your own wasn’t the end of the world. Now that it’s been a while, you wouldn’t have things any other way. Unfortunately, that’s not always the best thing. Here are 10 signs you’re a little TOO attached to being single:
- You have zero interest in going on dates. You’re happy the way things are right now. You have your job, friends, family, apartment, travel plans, and ambition. Why rock the boat? The problem with this theory is that you might not always be so totally thrilled to live without a partner. Do you really want to wake up in five years wishing that you had put the effort into dating?
- You think dating cuts into your life. If you think that going on a first date is a waste of time because you’d rather sit at home and watch TV, then you need a reality check and soon. Dating isn’t supposed to ruin your life, it’s supposed to help you meet new guys who might one day become your boyfriend. You’re trying to add to your life, not subtract from it.
- You have your routine down to the second. You wake up early, make a smoothie and check your social media accounts. You listen to podcasts on your morning commute. You work super hard and head to the gym after then meet friends for dinner. Then it’s home for some serious Netflix time. Sure, having a routine is a good thing and it’s cool that you’ve figured out what makes you happy, but you’re definitely way too into the solo life if you can’t change up your schedule sometimes.
- You turn down dates. When your best friends try to set you up or a coworker keeps mentioning that cute college friend they have, you say no every time. Being happy by yourself is one thing and not believing in love is totally another. Chances are, you really do want to fall in love someday, so why are you selling yourself short and refusing to try?
- You only see the bad in relationships. When a friend tells you what she’s going through with her boyfriend, you automatically think that being part of a couple sucks. When you consider going on a date, you talk yourself out of it because a first date leads to a second and that can lead to a relationship and you don’t think that’s a good idea. Sure, some couples have problems and nothing is perfect, but that doesn’t mean that being in love is always full of pain and suffering.
- You’ve deleted all your dating apps and online profiles. There’s a difference between being desperate and keeping an open mind. Using Tinder or OkCupid doesn’t mean that you hate your life and would rather die than stay single for another moment longer. It just means that you’re interested in finding someone to share your life with. There’s nothing wrong with that, so why aren’t you using those apps anymore? You probably don’t have an actual reason.
- You’ve convinced yourself you have zero time to find love. There’s always something going on, from a crazy work week (or month) to an upcoming trip to a class that you want to take. So what? The truth is that you’re always going to have a super full life and a packed schedule. That’s called being alive. You shouldn’t miss out on finding love just because you’re stretched a bit thin right now.
- You think all dates are bad dates. No one would blame you for not wanting to go on multiple first dates after you’ve had really crappy experiences. And yet believing that any first date that you could possibly go on would suck is the wrong approach. You have no idea who you’re going to meet. Why would you assume the worst?
- You’re becoming more bitter than you thought you would. Once you cross the line from happily single to totally bitter, you know that something is wrong. You shouldn’t actually feel like all hope is gone and you will never find someone that you connect with. Thinking that way is only going to make you miserable (and keep you single).
- You freak out at the first sign of a second date. When you do go on a first date, you immediately decide you will never see this guy again. You’re scared to say goodbye to your single life because it’s comfortable. It’s not going to break your heart, it’s not going to shake up your schedule, and it’s always there for you. But what if you’re missing out on an amazing love? You don’t have to jump into dating with all your heart tomorrow. Just give it a shot. You never know what could happen.
