Navigating singleness in your life can be quite a lonely journey. However, being single does not always have to be boring. In fact, it should be a time when you can enjoy being by yourself.
Tess Brigham, a therapist and coach for twenty-somethings, shares on the information hub Medium how to thrive in your singleness.
She says, “In my twenties, I enjoyed being alone and spending time alone, but I longed for a meaningful relationship. As a married person, I recognise the perks but often experience obstacles. During my youth, I wished I could appreciate the moments I spent alone.”
Embracing your singleness shows contentment in one’s life as you are living your life for yourself and do not expect to be shown love from other people.
Here are the 10 ways to embrace singleness, as highlighted by relationship experts Babita Spinelli, L.P and Megan Bruneau, M.A.
- Prioritise connections: In your singleness, you have more time to connect with those around you and help deeper connections. Megan states, “Social connection is clearly correlated with mental health, and isolation/disconnection almost inevitably leads to experiencing anxiety and depression.”
- Date yourself: Incorporate solo dates as a way to get to know yourself more, learning to be your own partner allows you to really appreciate the small things in life. Buying yourself flowers or taking yourself on a date to just focus on yourself and figure out what you want in life is a good self-development practice.
- Start a side hustle: This could be used as an opportunity to discover yourself outside your typical 9-5 job. For example, take classes to perfect your skill and later turn it into a side hustle.
- Spend time with your single friends: Megan says that making new, single friends can help you build a support system of people who understand your current situation.
- Focus on your self-care: Self-care is very important and learning to make it a priority becomes challenging the older we get, but as evolving people, we need constant reassurance within ourselves to keep pushing.
- Learn about yourself: This time is very essential to you as you start to discover parts about yourself through your own eyes.
- Be spontaneous: Your singleness era is a time when you can do whatever makes you happy. You have a lot of freedom when it comes to decision-making and have yourself to hold accountable.
- Focus on your growth: Babita emphasises the benefits of being single, claiming that it allows people to reflect on their progress towards personal and financial goals, promoting self-awareness and self-improvement.
- Keep perspective: Learn to always stay positive and never look down on yourself just because you are single.
- Being single doesn’t have to be forever if you don’t want it to be: Megan believes that partnerships are likely to exist, although they frequently require sacrifices. Enjoy the independence of navigating your life on your own while it lasts.
Also see: How to find love online
