I’m Single & Wouldn’t Change A Thing

Being in your mid-twenties is the best time to be single and frankly, it just makes sense. This is the age to take chances, to discover yourself and to do things that surprise you, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. Here’s why:

  1. Being in a relationship can put a damper on your social life. Being in a relationship feels cozy and safe. All I want to do is cuddle up in my pajamas with my boyfriend and watch comedy specials together. The thing is, I’m in my prime right now, and staying in every night might start to feel like a huge waste of time. I need to get out there and share my light with the world, not hide it away.
  2. I want to make the most of being young. Right now, I have the energy to do almost anything and I know that won’t be around for long. Staying up until 3 a.m. is a breeze for now, but I know in my mid-thirties, I’ll be asleep by 10 p.m. (at least that’s what I’ve heard). It seems silly because obviously I know life doesn’t stop in your 30s, but it definitely won’t be as carefree as it is right now.
  3. I have a hard enough time taking care of myself. It takes all of my willpower just to get out of bed in the morning. I have to set an alarm to remind myself to floss. I don’t have time to take care of myself, so how in the hell do I have time to take care of a partner? Your mid-twenties is the only age where you can be as selfish as you want and no one can say anything about it, and I have to take advantage of that. Putting others first can come later.
  4. I’m still just a kid, really. I don’t know what I’m doing with my life, so I think it’s probably best not to make any major life decisions like committing to a long-term relationship or even worst, getting married. I still feel like a 12-year-old girl in a 26-year-old body. Maturity comes with time, and while I have my act together in a lot of ways, I’m not where I need to be just yet.
  5. I should be focusing on my career. If not now, when? Your mid-twenties are the times when you have those, “Oh damn, what am I doing with my life?” moments, and that’s where I am right now. I often feel like I’m floating in purgatory between my teen attitude and young professional maturity. If I don’t work tirelessly on my career now, I’m gonna pay for it later in more ways than one.
  6. I’m saving the quiet nights in for my thirties. Your thirties are basically the perfect decade for a relationship. You’re comfortable with yourself, you’ve calmed down and are ready to commit. I have several more years before I get there, and why should I rush it?
  7. I can get away with anything right now. When you’re young, people tend to forgive you more easily. I can use that “I’m not ready for a relationship” line without any problems, especially since it has way more of a chance of being true. I’m at the age where my mistakes are written off as a mark of immaturity or just a learning curve of growing up. I’m loving it while it lasts.
  8. I don’t know who I am yet. I still don’t know if I want kids or want to get married or even if I want a relationship. I just don’t know. I’m taking my time discovering myself, and what better time to do it? I can’t be a good partner if I’m not even a good person on my own. That’s not going to happen if I don’t put time and energy into making it so.
  9. I know it sounds shallow, but I get perks for being young and pretty. People give me the benefit of the doubt more often than not, and while I strive to be a decent human being and treat people with kindness and respect, I’ve definitely used my feminine charms to get out of trouble. I’m not necessarily proud of that, but I’m not ashamed either. I won’t be young forever, so I have to strike while the iron’s hot.
  10. I don’t really have time for a relationship. My days are filled with work, work, hanging out with friends and more work. Sure, it’s a pretty simple set-up with not too many responsibilities other than to my job, but I kind of like it that way. My schedule is generally always packed, so fitting a boyfriend into the picture would require way too much reorganizing and probably some sacrificing of other things I enjoy, as well.
  11. Being single is like an adventure, and that’s what your twenties are for. When you’re single, every day is like the hero’s journey. You’re on a quest for that perfect life and the people you meet and situations you find yourself in make it something you will never forget — at least I am, and I’m not ashamed in the least.
Jennifer is a playwright, dancer, and theatre nerd living in the big city of Toronto, Canada. She studied Creative Writing at Concordia University and works as a lifestyle writer who focuses on Health, B2B, Tech, Psychology, Science, Food Trends and Millennial Life. She's also a coreographer, playwright, and lyricist, with choreography credits for McMaster University’s “Spring Awakening,” “Roxanne” for the Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, and “The Beaver Den” for The LOT, among others.

You can see more of her work on her Contently page and follow her on Instagram @jenniferenchin.
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