Ever since I said I was going to write this post, I've been hit with one problem after another, both physical and emotional. I was constantly reminded of the reasons why it can be so hard to be single.
Not really helpful for getting this post out.
Lately I've had a lot of friends confide in me that they are really struggling with being single. It's not surprising, given that we are in the middle of wedding season. And also "my child's first day of school" season. I know it's really exciting that your child is growing up SO FAST (holy cow, so many of my friends have been married for over five (or more) years!!!) but it can be easy for us Singles to feel a little left behind.
Even Facebook thinks I've been left behind. Recently I've been bombarded with ads for engagement rings and wedding registries. Think I'm exaggerating?
Not really helpful for getting this post out.
Lately I've had a lot of friends confide in me that they are really struggling with being single. It's not surprising, given that we are in the middle of wedding season. And also "my child's first day of school" season. I know it's really exciting that your child is growing up SO FAST (holy cow, so many of my friends have been married for over five (or more) years!!!) but it can be easy for us Singles to feel a little left behind.
Even Facebook thinks I've been left behind. Recently I've been bombarded with ads for engagement rings and wedding registries. Think I'm exaggerating?
And yes, I think there were four weddings amongst my Facebook friends this weekend, but that does not mean I'm getting married too! Aren't these ads supposed to be targeted?
But being single does not mean being left behind. It's just different. So I decided that I wanted to do a post on ways that being single is awesome. There are great things about being single and we should try to focus on those and not on the not so great stuff.
And oh look, here's another one:
But being single does not mean being left behind. It's just different. So I decided that I wanted to do a post on ways that being single is awesome. There are great things about being single and we should try to focus on those and not on the not so great stuff.
And oh look, here's another one:
To write this post, I got some help from my friend and fellow Single, Heidi, who is as beautiful and funny as she is smart. We came up with so many things that I'm going to split this post into two. Heidi's comments are in italics.
Why Being Single is So Amazing
Part 1
The tv remote, blu-ray remote, or the tempurpedic bed remote, it’s all mine. That's power baby.
I watch what I want on TV ... I never have to deal with someone keeping the television on if I don't want it on! (except when I'm at my parents, which drives me mad).
2. Cooking
I can make whatever I want for dinner, (whenever I want), or have no dinner at all. I never have to take into account anyone's schedule, desires, (or dietary needs). No one's going to judge me if my dinner is a glass of wine and six leftover tamales (or popcorn, cheese, and Mountain Dew)... all that matters is what I want!
3. Finances
I am the only child in my family who has lived completely on my own. I pay all of my bills (and there are lots of them) and manage my finances on my own. I never have to wonder if I could survive on my own, because I know that I can.
I don't have to keep my spending accountable to anyone, or compromise my spending with anyone else's values. I don't have to come home and "report" all the money I spend. I can spend $65 on new couch pillows - not that I've done anything like recently - simply because I know it will make my living room beautiful and a warm and inviting place to relax in, and because that's how I want to spend my money, and no one is going to question it.
4. Decorating
I get to decorate my place the way I want it to look. So I can put all of my Lincoln stuff up in my home office and no one complains. The place I call home is distinctly ME.
5. Travel
I vacation when, where, and with whom I want, including friends ... it doesn't always have to be just my spouse and myself, or my family, alone on our vacation. I get to go visit people I love in interesting places!
This is one of my favorites. Vacationing is much cheaper when you are single. You only have to worry about paying your way. I also don’t have to worry about coordinating schedules between myself, a husband, and kids. When a friend says, hey, do you want to go to China with me? I can just say YES without hesitation. I’ve been to 4 continents, 8 countries, and 23 states, including Hawaii. And I plan to do more. Can we say Jane Austen tour???
6. No judgment
No one is around to judge me if the chores don't get done in a timely manner. There is no one to keep up appearances for. Who cares if I left a pan in the sink all week and its started growing mold? Not that that happened this week. (It did).
Amen. As long as it's clean before my mother comes over.
7. Spontaneity
If someone asks me to do something fun spontaneously, I can do it.
My schedule is flexible. I can work late, go out for dinner or drinks, stop by the bookstore, run errands, or take a night for myself, without checking on anyone else's schedule. I can be as flexible or as structured with my time as I want/need to be. I have the freedom to spontaneously say "yes" to people more often! This builds deeper friendships and relationships.
8. Freedom
I never have to leave a dinner/event/party/hangout time early to "get home to" my significant other.
Stay tuned for the rest of the list next week!