10 Reasons Why It’s Okay To Be Single And Happy

In modern culture, being single is both criticized and heralded. Single individuals worldwide face stigmatism whether they aren't interested in finding a partner or are interested in finding a partner but seem to have poor luck. At the same time, single people have banded together in recent years to celebrate singledom as a perfectly acceptable (and even preferred) civil status. Some singles find it difficult to reach a level of acceptance with singledom with so many contrasting opinions. Regardless of whether a person is looking for or just not interested in being in a partnership, there are many benefits of being single, and even reasons why it can make you happier. The following article contains just 10 of those reasons to take into consideration.

Plenty of "me" time

When a person is single, they're free to take care of their needs as they please.  Need a chance to put on a face mask for 45 minutes? No problem. Want to spend the whole morning (or evening) working out? Go for it. Love taking super long showers? There isn't anyone to fight with over hot water supply, so that's just fine! With all this time to oneself, a single person has as much time as they need to take care of themselves and their own needs.

Total freedom to travel

Single people face no relationship-oriented obstacles when it comes to traveling. Of course, other obstacles might interfere with much-needed vacation time, but the absence of a significant other means that it's typically much easier to pick up and go with no strings attached. What's better than spending quality time with oneself while traveling to beautiful, amazing places? Travel is a powerful way to explore oneself and one's desires. Today, most people have some place they're interested in traveling to, and those who love being single have all the freedom to "go for it" and take the trip of a lifetime on a soul-searching journey.

Professional and educational development

Single people can focus on their careers and educational goals without worrying about a significant other. Single people can relish the idea of spending as much time as desired or needed to overcome obstacles and strive for success in their education and work. It's often easier for a person to work harder on a job or homework when they're solo; there's an abundance of time and energy left over to concentrate and work hard. When they need to study, they’re not constantly torn between spending time with their partner or hitting the books. This can make it easier to reach their professional and personal life goals.

The thrill of going out

Going out on the town as a single person can be a liberating and invigorating experience. There are plenty of fish in the sea and going out can open a slew of opportunities to meet someone amazing. Meeting people (possible life partners or just friends) can be one of the most rewarding things about being single. The ability to meet new people makes bring single fun and interesting. People never know who they might find or what cool new opportunity might come up and tap them on the shoulder! 

Low pressure

Being in a romantic relationship requires a great deal of commitment, and with that commitment can come high pressures from all sources. There may be pressure to get married, have kids, buy a house, or start making a lot of money to support the family; single people don't have all that pressure. Singles are free (for the most part) to do what they like. Of course, singledom comes with its own pressures and concerns, but not having a relationship dramatically lowers the severe life consequences of not responding well under this pressure. Lower commitment and pressure make it possible for singles to try many new things and meet a lot of new people. This everyday adventure can be invigorating and engaging; there may be few dull moments if the person has the right mindset.

The freedom to make decisions

One of the benefits of being single is having the freedom to make decisions as one pleases. Whether a person is deciding what to eat for dinner or what to do over the weekend, the decision is theirs if they're single. There's no need to coordinate with another person or make sure that a partner is also pleased with the final decision. And, like reason number 5, if a single person is coordinating with a friend and the friend decides to go a different way, there's no pressure to "make it work." Both people in this situation have the complete freedom to decide what they want, and freedom can lead to great contentment with one’s life. 

There's plenty of time to explore interests and hobbies

Single people have the time and energy to dive into both new and old interests and hobbies. Without the burden of managing a romantic relationship, that leaves a lot of time to fill with hobbies, interests, and other activities. Taking up a new hobby can be a rewarding way to embrace single life. With so many cool hobbies out there, the options are endless, and single people don't usually have to worry about what anyone else thinks about their hobbies or interests. Newly single people might consider pursuing long-forgotten hobbies or emerging interests to reconnect with themselves. Long-term singles can explore many ongoing interests or even nurture and master one specific hobby. Those in relationships may be pulled more in another direction, leaving less time for their interests. 

Time to get fit

Single people often have an advantage in the fitness department. Being single has some surprising health benefits, including a more toned physique and better fitness levels. When a person is single, they're more likely to spend greater amounts of time exercising and taking care of their health than people who are in a relationship are likely to do. This can be a major benefit of being single since the motivation to exercise can lead to an increase in endorphins and dopamine, both "happy hormones” that can increase life satisfaction. 

Single people are more flexible

Single people generally can roll with the punches more easily. Not being tied down to a partner often makes it simpler to adapt to life’s changes with grace and agility. Singles can do what they need to change and adapt to new life circumstances, which is an advantage that married people and couples may not have. As a single person, it can be much less stressful to make a change in stride. However, it can still be important to be surrounded by a net of supportive people to help the person make the change successfully.

Wider social group

Being single encourages people to seek affection from a wider pool of individuals. Single people tend to have more friends and, because they don't have a current life partner, they're encouraged to lean on their friends for support in times of need. This creates a sense of community with the surrounding world and helps people feel more connected to those around them. Connectedness can stave off feeling of loneliness, and single people get to enjoy a unique and beautiful breed of it among their close friends and extended social group. There have been some interesting scientific discoveries regarding the differences in social behavior in singles and those who are coupled up. The results may surprise you, showing that singledom can actually lead to more social integration than being in a relationship can. 

Online counseling with Regain

It can be natural to struggle with singledom, particularly when you desire to be in a relationship. There are many reasons why you might have trouble accepting your single status, including a desire for a loving, committed relationship or frustration with societal pressure to settle down. Some frustration or discontent is normal, and most single people experience moments where they feel "down," despite the potential benefits of being single. If you’re struggling in this area, you may consider seeking the support of a licensed therapist who can help you understand your place in the world. From the comfort of your home or anywhere else you have an internet connection, you can receive advice and guidance from a professional through phone calls, video chats, or in-app messaging. This can make it convenient to get the care you’re looking for; reach out when you feel ready to take that next step. 

The efficacy of online counseling 

Single individuals who are healthy and fulfilled often rely on mindfulness to get in touch with themselves and experience inner happiness. Online mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to have many positive effects on mental health. Specifically, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were targeted and reduced after those experiencing these conditions engaged in online MBIs. Online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy and could be an option for those wanting an alternative to traditional interventions. 

Takeaway

The single life can be fun, interesting, and full of happiness. Whether a person is newly or "eternally" single, it can be a liberating life experience that allows them to get to know themselves and reconnect with their life purpose and interests. Learning to love yourself and your life can be a crucial part of enjoying singledom. If you feel you can’t get to this place on your own, getting the advice of someone experienced and knowledgeable could help you change course. Regain can provide you with an online therapist to guide you toward a happy and healthy single life one step at a time.