Ten Awesome Things About Being Single

A friend of mine is tired of being single and of bad dating experiences. Well-intentioned friends are telling her that it (you know, IT) will happen when she stops trying so hard, or when she tries harder, or when she stops emitting the wrong vibe, or when she just keeps being her awesome self and all the other crap people (myself included) say to make single people who are bummed out feel better.

Let’s be honest here: having romantic love can be great. So can being single. And because the majority of people who want a life-partner eventually get one, single hood will end and take some of the good things in life with it. Here is what really makes me feel better when I'm down on being alone.

Ten Awesome Things About Being Single:

1. Being in a relationship that sucks (or going through a breakup) is a nightmare; being in a relationship that is undefined or sketchy is anxiety ridden. I don't wonder where anything is going and whether I want it to go there.

2. I'm more likely to go out and go DO fun stuff—stuff I may not have tried otherwise—than when there isn't a default person at home to just sit around with.

3. I will never fold Dan's rugby socks EVER again. I will never listen to Nate pick his fingernails. I’m not worried whether J is cheating on me. And this Christmas, the only mother I will have to deal with is my own.

4. Shave my legs regularly? Whatever.

5. I thoroughly enjoy sprawling out in the middle of my big comfy bed by myself.

6. I spend more quality time with friends and am more open to new people coming into my life. More importantly: I am more aware and involved with the truckloads of love I receive in my non-dating life: my student who told me how much I helped her, my dad who sends me cute emails about how much he misses me, my best friend who sent me her lucky disco dress from New York for an important party, my boss who sent a card thanking me for work that inspired her, my girlfriends who can make me laugh and cry in the same hour...

7. I don't have to worry about getting stuck with anyone else’s life-crap for an indefinite period of time: his messed up relationship with his siblings, his job angst, his drug use or financial irresponsibility or anything.

8. I can pack my bags and fly to Italy to romp around with a hot, younger fireman whenever the hell I want to.

9. Going out to dinner with guys can make you fat: see. Really, I’m more likely to slack on exercise/reading/homework/me-time with a man around.

10. To reiterate (it’s a big one) the general freedom to do what I want when you want to with whom I want and not have to consider anyone else. Fling with a rich investment banker? If I feel like it. Spend a week getting certified to scuba dive in Thailand? No one to miss terribly. The dirty dishes in the sink for days? Mine. And there are the little things: No one talks me into ordering pizza when I really want Thai.

Until I want a relationship and someone worth giving that stuff up appears, I'm gladly hangin' onto it.