By Karleen Dee
As a newly single lady, I was quite surprised when I announced my break-up to friends and family. Expecting cheers of liberation and praise, I was instead given hugs, comforting words, and suggestions on where I could go to find a new man.
Evidently society possesses the opinion that a single female in her late twenties should be jumping back on the LTR bandwagon quickly, lest she be doomed to a life of solitude. Even dating sites insist they have the right “formula” to meet the man of my dreams, and my own mother has not-so-subtly hinted at the benefits a match.com membership could bring me.
While surprised at these reactions, I wasn’t phased by them. The relationship grass may have been greener, but rather than looking over the other side of the fence, I was going to water my own damn lawn!
I began to jot down all the reasons why I was appreciative of being single, and what do you know – I came up with 101 of them !
With summer just around the corner, I have a whole new list of reasons why it’s great to be single! Let’s take a look through the top 15 Reasons Why it’s Great to Be Single This Summer:
1. You’ll Look Better
We get into a relationship and we become complacent. Not to mention, you just don’t seem to have as much time as when you’re single. Being single means you have more time to hit the gym, and gives you the incentive you need to do so – get that gym body!
2. More Travelling
Summer is a fantastic time to get out and explore the open road. When you are in a relationship, you have to work out both of your schedules, choose a place that you both want to go to, and the list of mutually agreeable concessions goes on. When you’re single, you have friends – and at least one of them will be available and willing to head off to your favorite destination.
3. Dating
Summer dating is fantastic – there are a TON of summertime activities that are a really good time, and usually FREE. You don’t have to feel guilty about going on a couple dates each week because you aren’t blowing your wallet.
4. No Sharing Ice Cream
It’s summer… it’s freakin’ hot out. So you go to the store to grab a tub of your favorite quality cookie dough ice cream. When you’re single, you don’t have to share! That tub is simply too small for two spoons.
5. Finding Your Stuff
You have a way of organizing your things that may not make sense to someone else. So your boyfriend or girlfriend, trying to be helpful, cleans the house and puts your things somewhere – and now you can’t find them! When you’re running out of the house to hit the beach, the last thing you want to do is rummage around looking for your bathing suit.
6. Bonus Invites
There are lots of events happening in the summer! If you are single and one of your friends of family members has an extra ticket to something, they are going to ask you: you are the token single person there to save the day.
7. Guilt-Free Adventures
In the summer you never know what shenanigans you’ll get up to. Boat rides with random hotties at the beach? Heck yes!
8. Belt it Out
Summertime is the best time to roll down your windows and belt it out to your favorite tune. There’s an air of liberation that comes when you are alone in the car that just isn’t there when you’re driving around with a SO.
9. Let it Hang Low
This point goes for gals just as much as guys. You’re single, you live alone, and it’s hot out. Why not be naked in your own home? When you live with someone, even someone you’re comfortable with, you probably aren’t just wandering around the house naked. When you’re single though – all bets are off (unless you don’t have blinds…then perhaps be conscious of your neighbors as well).
10. A Visitor in Your Own City
The first date always carries pressure of doing something exciting. This helps you do things you wouldn’t normally do, and in the summer there are OH so many activities to try! After a few first dates, you’ll know your city better than before, and have lots more activities to do with your friends.
11. Mix Up Your Meals
When you’re single you can eat whatever you want! Summer time means farmer’s markets, with TONS of fresh local veggies. No need to worry about whether your boyfriend or girlfriend will eat what you’re cooking – it’s all up to you!
12. No Random Mess
Whether it’s a dirty bathing suit in the bathtub, a used towel thrown on the floor from a day at the beach, or sandy flip flops in the hallway… when it’s someone else’s mess, it’s WAY more annoying than when it’s your own.
13. Treat Yourself
Feel like buying a whole new summer wardrobe? Go for it! (If you have the money, that is – I am not advocating debt for clothing.) In a relationship, your partner’s comments about your purchases and spending habits are inevitable.– When you are single, you can blow the bank without being made to feel guilty about it.
14. Finding Your Zen
No matter how similar you are to someone, there will always be differences… and often, that means fighting. Summer isn’t a time for fighting, it’s a time for relaxing and having fun! No relationship means no squabbling.
15. Sexy Magic
Newly single? You just got hotter. Once you own your singleness, you carry an air of independence about you that is envy inducing to those in relationships, and extremely attractive to those who aren’t! Strut down the beach feeling fine you saucy singleton!
Karleen Dee is a freelance writer and the author of, 101 Reasons Why It’s Great To Be Single .
101 Reasons Why It’s Great To Be Single is currently available via all major online retailers
