We know it's nice to have a life partner to share with, to hug,… but relationships can also be terribly awkward. Here we collect some of the most popular benefits that people highlight about being single!
1. You can travel as you please
How do you think your romantic partner would react if you woke up and decided to go abroad, backpacking through the mountains of Iceland or taking a cruise to a tropical destination? He or she probably wouldn't be too happy if you didn't include him or her in that decision (and rightly so!). Single people have the freedom to travel without hesitation. If you're a wanderer at heart, then singlehood might be for you.
2. You can flirt without fear
Let's face it: everyone flirts sometimes, whether they're single or not. This flirting is generally innocent in nature, but it could lead to an awkward situation if a single person ends up developing feelings for someone they're already romantically involved with. Add an insecure boyfriend/girlfriend to the mix and this awkward situation could quickly turn into a terrible confrontation. If you like to flirt a little too much, being single could be for you.
3. You can work on your well-being and your body
A survey by British researchers found that 62% of respondents gained 6kg or more after getting into a relationship. This weight gain appears to be a direct consequence of typical evening activities. When asked to choose their activity that takes the place of exercise for example, 30% of respondents chose “watching TV” and 20% chose “eating out”. If you want to focus on improving your mind and body, being single could be for you.
4. Sleep…peacefully.
Even though it's nice to cuddle up, we have to go through some awkward moments sleeping next to another person (especially if they snore!). If you know that feeling, being single might not be so bad. There are also couples who choose to have their own bedrooms, and even if they share a bed most nights, they always have their own space to retreat to if they want a quieter night.
5. You can become more self-sufficient.
Have you ever gone through a breakup so emotionally devastating that you couldn't work for weeks or even months? Love is a chaotic force that can be beautiful but also destructive (did you know that hurricanes are named after people?). Never let one person become the sole subject of your thoughts, because few relationships are destined for eternal success. If you're not comfortable with that risk, that's okay.
6. You can keep in touch with all your friends.
“Don’t worry; we’ll keep in touch!” Those words should sound familiar if you have friends who have gotten married and/or had children. How many of them actually keep their word? I bet not many. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since these major life decisions require the sacrifice of free time and personal freedom. It’s hard to find the time to do much when you have a spouse and child to consider.
7. You can do whatever you want.
Just like a flower wilts if you don't water it, a relationship will suffer without proper care and attention. Do you have a friend who complains about how much their partner "needs" them? This complaint might be justified based on the context, but most people simply underestimate how much time it takes to maintain a healthy relationship. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with your partner wanting to spend a lot of time with you. If you're not ready to consider another person's needs, then being single might be for you.