Single and bitter are not the same thing. I may not have a man in my life right now, but that doesn’t mean I hate people who are in relationships! It’s quite the opposite — I think it’s wonderful to witness true love in action. Here’s why I’m totally supportive of the mushy romances of other people:
- They give me hope. Quite simply, it’s a good reminder that I might not end up living alone forever sipping tea on my couch while I knit afghans. Sometimes when I’m single a long time, it’s hard to remember that love is still a possibility for me. I find happy couples to be a boost to my own happiness because their joy spreads to everyone around them. It helps to know that I could have that someday too.
- I live vicariously through them. I’m not one of those girls who hates hearing about happy couples. I’m quite the opposite — I love grand romantic stories! What’s the point of hating on them? It doesn’t change anything; it would just make me feel negative and miserable. I like knowing that old-fashioned romance still exists in the world. It’s way better than listening to someone complain about their partner.
- They remind me that there are good relationships. My parents are divorced and I didn’t witness many healthy adult relationships growing up. For a long time, I didn’t really believe that people could be in a partnership long-term and remain happy. I had no reason to think it was possible. Then I started seeing happy marriages and relationships and realized that it is indeed feasible — even quite common! I love that.
- It provides me with good examples of what works. I’ve been in some failed relationships of my own and they’ve taught me what doesn’t work. When I want to see how a healthy partnership should be, I look to those couples in my life who are killing it at romance. I welcome their presence in my world because though I’m very single now, I’ll make better choices in the future with them as role models.
- They feed my inner romantic. I may be tough on the outside, but inside I still love romance just as much as the next girl. I’m a hopeless romantic who’s scared to open up and let myself be vulnerable because that’s when I get hurt. I can get my romance fix without danger by watching the super happy couples in my life and how they treat each other. It’s so much easier than actually dating.
- Their happiness has nothing to do with the fact that I’m single. It’s not like they got together and therefore kept me from being in a relationship. Why should I hate them? I choose whether I’m happy or not. It has nothing to do with them. I’m perfectly happy staying single until I meet the right guy and then I can be in a great relationship too.
- I’m not angry because I’m single. I don’t understand why people assume that I’m unhappy because I don’t have a partner in my life right now. I always try to appreciate the present because it could change at any moment. I love my single friends. I love my friends in relationships. Relationship status doesn’t say a damn thing about who a person is. Hating people who are happy in love is, quite frankly, stupid.
- I know my time will come eventually. I used to spend all my single time wishing I was dating, and then when I was in a relationship I regretted not enjoying my single life! It didn’t make any sense. I won’t be alone forever and even if I am, there’s no point in resenting people who have happy relationships. It’s not like they come about magically — love is hard work between two people who are dedicated to toughing it out no matter what.
- I don’t want any bad karma. Hate and jealousy just create the wrong kind of juju. I don’t need any of that in my life. I want only good things and positivity! I firmly believe that what goes around comes around and I don’t think that hating on someone else’s happiness is ever productive. I certainly won’t find love if I’m walking around all bitter and angry all the time.
- Love is a beautiful, wonderful thing to witness. I could never be mad at something so lovely. There’s something magical about getting a glimpse into the world of two people who truly and wholly adore each other no matter what. I have had that feeling at times and I hope to have it again with the right person. I don’t know when that will happen, but for now, I’m content to revel in the good fortunes of those who’ve found it.
