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Being single has a lot more benefits than we give it credit it for.
By Sofia Stewart — Written on Apr 16, 2020
Depending on whether or not you’ve been in a relationship, being single can be a positive or negative situation. If you’ve been in relationships, then it's easy to feel more lonely — especially after you're used to someone being by your side. If you’ve been single for a while, then you’re more comfortable living life for yourself.
Little do we realize what a blessing it can be to be single. We are not promised to find that one person in our lives. Instead, we have to learn to love our family, friends — and most importantly, ourselves. Instead of seeing singleness as a bad thing, it's important to use this time being alone to see the good parts of not having a partner.
Holding on to perspective can save us from feeling destructive in our season of singleness. These days on shows, finding your true love is the main mission, when in fact loving yourself can be just enough.
Single people are portrayed as someone who is sad or even pitied — but being single doesn't mean you have to be lonely. Look to the list below to help remind you that there is a beautiful strength that comes with being single. Along with independence, there are plenty of benefits to being single than people give it credit it for. Here are ten ways to enjoy being single that beat being in a relationship any day.
1. You get a chance to focus on yourself.
Being in a relationship can take up a lot of time in our lives. You begin sharing your partner’s problems, without having time to meditate on your own.
“Believe it or not, relationships are ‘mentally expensive,” Susan Winter. With the amount of stress in a relationship, come as a price for love. Being single activates a self-awareness of taking time to treat ourselves.
2. You become self-sufficient.
Having to live independently forces you to find your inner strength and not have to depend on someone else to be fulfilled. You have more opportunity to chase your own dreams while facing them without a partner.
Taking risks by yourself allows you to take control of your own journey. Instead of having to constantly fit someone else’s schedule, the only one that matters is your own.
3. You prove that you can be financially stable on your own.
If your partner has financial debt, then it becomes a financial burden on you, too. Being single helps you prioritize financial budgeting, without constantly spending it on someone else. This can also help prepare you for any relationship, to notice red flags in a relationship, and to help you stay financially independent once you're with someone else.
Take time to look up financial gurus like David Ramsey, and enjoy having control over your finances. This gives you more free time to go out with family and friends, without worrying about over-spending.
4. Self-care is a top priority.
Activities like exercising, meditating, journaling, socializing with friends and more help promote nourishment to our brain. Happy chemicals like dopamine other endorphins encourage positive energy, not only for life but for others.
The single-season refrains us from pushing time for ourselves for someone else. Instead, we’re inspired to go on an adventure of self-reflection. Our identity is essential on our journey through life. Sometimes steering away from relationships forces us, to remember our strengths and weaknesses.
5. You have time to focus on your spirituality.
After experiencing a breakup myself, I notice that getting back to being close to God has become a reality for me. My relationship had to come to an end, but having a relationship with God became the goal.
There’s a personal intimacy with God when you're single again — where I realize my heart is healing from the separation. This was a time to work on me so that God can morph me into the strong individual woman He needs me to be.
6. You have better connections with your friends.
Yes, your girl or boyfriend might have steered you further away from friends. Take this opportunity to reconnect with them and make more memories. True friends will always be there until the end.
A good friend will always remind your strengths and encourage you to keep moving forward. They will want nothing more than to see you grow, not just in the world, but in yourself.
7. The only person you have to compare to is yourself.
Being single, you start to learn that the only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday. We all have a chance to grow in life and learn more about ourselves each day. If your partner didn’t want to try something that you were curious about, now is that time to chase after your curiosity!
Being single offers independence to build yourself, so if you meet someone new, then you’ll love yourself enough to prepare for anything. You don’t need someone to feel complete. You need to feel complete with your own life before you jump into another relationship.
8. You have the opportunity to travel whenever and wherever you want.
Waiting for your partner to be available for a trip can leave you feeling disconnected with the world. Grab a couple of close friends or family and hit the road.
Look far into the horizon, knowing you’ll be okay with whatever is on the other side of the horizon.
Traveling helps each and every one of us feel more in tune with the world. New culture, friendships, attractions, and more remind us of how beautiful and wonderful life can be.
9. You get time to figure out what you want in a partner.
Studies show that as much as fifty percent of marriages fail or end in divorce. Can you imagine how easy it would be to date a bad match? Getting to know who you are will help prepare for marriage because you’ll know what you’re looking for.
You’ll be accustomed to who you are and your system, and you’ll focus on who’s the best at compatibility. Even though in marriages you’ll have your difference, but during the seasons of singleness, you’ll have a firm ground to stand on. You’ll know who’s worth working things out and who’s better off with someone else.
10. You get to find comfort in being alone.
Being single doesn’t mean you’re lonely. Some perceptions of singles have a negative connotation to it. You can be just as lonely or secluded even if you’re married. It’s all about our perception of life, and how we feel internally.
Who’s says the ultimate goal is to be with someone in the end? Instead, it could be about the quality in relationships we build, and how well we’ve nurtured our body and mind.
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Sofia Stewart is a writer who covers pop culture, astrology, and relationship topics.