Being in a relationship is great when you find someone who checks all the boxes. But having a partner isn’t everything in life. Heck! I could name a hundred things that beat being in a relationship, like getting a new puppy, having a sleepover with your best friend, traveling solo to an unknown destination, or buying your own house.
Who knows? Love might be just a swipe away, but if you find yourself single during Valentine’s Day and need a little reminder of all the perks that come with being single, then check out these 10 things that are better than being in a relationship.
1. GOING ON A SOLO TRIP
If you’re single, you get to travel wherever you please without having to worry about your other half needing to get permission from work, or having to compromise and do things you don’t feel like. Nope! You can spend 5 hours shopping in Prague if you feel like it without having a guy moping around and complaining because he’s bored. You even have the freedom to book that last-minute flight you just saw on Facebook without having to discuss it with anyone else. The world is your oyster.
2. TAKING YOUR TIME TO GET READY WITHOUT ANYONE RUSHING YOU
There’s nothing better than taking your time to get ready without anyone knocking on your door asking if you’re almost done. How you manage your schedule is completely up to you. You can put on some music while you put on a hair mask for an hour and take all the time in the world if you feel like it. Being single means we’re the sole owners of our own time so we can pretty much leave the house whenever the heck we want without rushing.
3. BEING ABLE TO RELAX ALONE AFTER WORK
There’s nothing better than coming home after a hard day’s work, ordering some takeout food, and watching whatever you want on Netflix in absolute peace. Having the chance to relax without anyone asking you about your day, or worse —telling you about theirs is priceless. There are no back and forth discussions about what you’re going to watch or what you’re going to order either, so bonus!
4. PAMPERING YOURSELF
Having someone to share things with is amazing. But being single means you’re finally able to prioritize self-care and make time for your own health. Instead of being distracted by someone else’s needs, you can now focus on your own. Nothing feels as good as getting a massage, going on a wine tour, getting your hair done, or hanging out with old friends you haven’t caught up with, in a long time. Self-care is just as important as being in love.
5. DOING THINGS ALONE
When we’re in a relationship, we get used to having someone by our side wherever we go. That co-dependency that comes with having someone to rely on takes away our freedom to try new things solo. It might be intimidating to go to the movie theater, sit at a restaurant, or go for a hike without anyone else at first. But there’s nothing as liberating and empowering as realizing you can do new things alone and have SO much fun while doing it!
6. WORKING ON YOUR PASSIONS WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT ANYONE ELSE BUT YOURSELF
It’s absolutely mind-boggling when we realize how much time we dedicate to someone else’s need when we’re in a relationship. But if you’re single, you have the freedom to live your life and pursue different hobbies and dreams without having to think of anyone else. Feel like learning Spanish? There’s no one to stop you. Want to start your own blog? You’ve got all the time in the world to do it after work without having to answer to anyone else. Just living your life the way you want to is beyond compare.
7. STARTING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF AND APPRECIATING YOU
Most people think that being single is the same as being alone, but that’s not actually true. At the end of the day, you’re the only person who will always be there for you. Nothing builds confidence like starting a relationship with yourself and connecting with who you really are. Need to change a lightbulb? You can definitely do it on your own. Your car is making a strange noise? You know exactly who to call. Having the time to appreciate yourself and what you’re able to do by yourself will prove you’re able to handle anything life throws your way.
8. HELPING OUT SOMEONE IN NEED
While it’s important to think of yourself, there’s nothing more rewarding than thinking of others. There are many ways you can go about doing this, too. Visit a local blood bank and donate your blood or look through your closet and pick out any shirts, pants, dresses, or shoes that haven’t been worn in years and donate them to charity. If you don’t have any extra clothes to donate, don’t fret! There are other ways to help make the world a better place like donating money to charity or volunteering at an animal shelter or a local soup kitchen.
9. TRYING SOMETHING NEW THAT GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS
There’s nothing more empowering than letting go of everything and trying something that scares you. Afraid of rollercoasters? Grab your best friend for moral support and ride the scariest one you can find at a theme park. Never left town before? Well, now’s the perfect time to pack a mini suitcase and head to the nearest bus or train station, pick a destination, and buy a ticket. You know what they say, “sometimes, what you’re most afraid of doing is the very same thing that will set you free”.
10. SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Spending time with your family and friends when you’re in a relationship is tough, especially if your significant other doesn’t get along with them. But few things in life are as important as quality time with the people you love. Catch up with your aunts and cousins. Plan a cookout for the whole family or take your nephews and nieces to the beach. Make sure they know how much they’re loved because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. All we can really count on is today.
