Being single is great, because there's a difference between being lonely and being alone. Learning to be comfortable with your solitude can better prepare you for future relationships. Single people are also more likely to be fitter and healthier than people in relationships.
People prefer being single for many reasons.
In one study published in 2022, hundreds of men and women were surveyed about what makes single life attractive, and they rated the top benefits as having more time for themselves, being able to focus on their goals, and not having anyone else dictate their actions.
It is perfectly okay to be happily single and enjoy yourself. In fact, it is healthy to focus on creating a full, happy life, whether you're single or in a relationship. There are many enjoyable aspects of being single. You can enjoy meaningful, fulfilling connections no matter what your relationship status is.
“Being single, you'll learn to value your freedom, make decisions for yourself, and become more accountable for your choices, actions, and goals,” says Russell Thackeray, Ph. D., a clinical psychologist in the UK.
Some individuals prefer to be on their own, and there's nothing wrong with that. Other reasons for a person staying single can involve lifestyle decisions, personal struggles, or simply not finding a life partner. Some people remain single in different stages of their lives than others, and that's OK.
"There is absolutely no set time frame that counts as 'too long' for being single," says Megan Stubbs, EdD, a sexologist and relationship expert based in Michigan. Part of the reason why is because there's no set definition as what "being single" actually looks like.
Single people may develop more individually and benefit more from alone time. Several studies have linked solitude to benefits such as an increased sense of freedom and higher levels of creativity and intimacy. Amy Morin, a psychotherapist, says that alone time can help people be more productive as well.
You stress less about chores and money
One stereotype of single people is that they're constantly worried about finding a mate—but that's certainly not true for everyone. And in fact, there are plenty of areas where single people stress less than those in relationships.
We took a look at data gathered over the past year, comprised of more than 700,000 screenings, and noticed an interesting trend: people who selected “single” as their partnership status scored more highly consistent for symptoms of depression, than their counterparts.
Women have to work harder than men in heterosexual relationships, so are happier being single than men are, according to a new study. The study showed that women tend to be better at having alternative social networks whereas men tend to rely quite heavily on their wives.
New research suggests single individuals are, in general, satisfied with both singlehood and life. People with lower singlehood satisfaction are more likely to be men, older, more educated, or in worse health.
People in relationships tend to be happier and healthier than those who are single. But is it always the case that people who are partnered are better off? Research says no. The goals people hold for their relationships (approaching positive outcomes versus avoiding negative ones) matter.
Is it normal to be single? "It is absolutely normal to be single, either by choice or because you haven't found what you're looking for," says Battle. According to a 2020 report from the Pew Research Center, about 31% of U.S. adults are single, and half of singles are not looking for a relationship or dates currently.
Adverse health issues
This might come as a shock, but research has shown that 54% of people who stay single for a long time end up with health issues that later affect their love life. The most common health issues associated with extended single good include suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Participants rated the “Lack of regular and safe sex,” the “Lack of tenderness and love,” and the “Lack of someone to motivate me to improve myself” to be the most important disadvantages of singlehood.
Being single allows you to experience so much that is often simply not possible when subjected to the financial and emotional pressures of supporting and maintaining a relationship.
Being single in your 30s doesn't mean you weren't with someone you thought you'd spend the rest of your life with. It also doesn't mean you'll stay single for the rest of your life too. But for now, as long as it takes to find the right one, you're single and life is easy.
The Bible Says Singleness Is a Gift from God
According to 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, singleness is a gift: I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.
There are a host of reasons someone might struggle with re-adjusting to a relationship after being single for a while. You might feel like you aren't ready to share your space or time, experience dating app-induced FOMO if you're monogamous, or not know how to ask for what you need from your new partner.
Sleeping Alone.
Many of you noted that having no one to fall asleep next to, or wake up next to is the hardest part of being single. It's completely normal to have that longing for intimacy and to even find yourself imagining what that might look like when you find yourself feeling alone.
Being single frees up your schedule and your mind, creating space to figure out who you want to be and ways to achieve that. There's nobody else around you demanding your attention, so get out there and become that person.