Not Everyone is Single By Accident
Being single in these modern times doesn’t make you a spinster or weirdo. It’s a choice that many make for a wide range of reasons, some of which make a lot of sense. To better understand our single friends, here are 20 reasons why people choose to stay single.
1. They're Devoted to Their Careers
A career can put a lot of strain on a relationship, so those who are career-focused might want to avoid the distraction of having a partner. Being single lets you keep your eye on the prize of career advancement without feeling guilty about your ambition.
2. A Track Record of Bad Relationships
One rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel. Coming off a toxic relationship, a bad breakup, or a divorce can leave anyone gunshy. These emotional scars don’t heal for every person, and can convince someone that relationships are not worth the hassle.
3. They Love Freedom
One reason that people remain single is that they value their freedom. Being single means never having to consider a partner’s feelings or needs. You can order whatever you want from Uber Eats, you can keep a messy house, and travel wherever you please. It sounds pretty liberating when you think about it.
4. Enjoy Solitude
The single life brings with it solitude and a degree of peace. If you enjoy spending time alone, whether it’s solo travel or seeing a movie by yourself, then choosing to be single makes sense. You can enjoy your hobbies and rituals without having to justify yourself.
5. Financial Independence
There are benefits to having a two-income household, but being single lets you make every financial decision without having to consider your partner’s opinion or situation. You can spend your money however you want and exercise complete control over your spending, investing, and savings.
6. No Interest in Romance
Some people are not into the idea of romantic relationships. This can be due to a variety of reasons or simply their preference. To some, a full life is about working, friendships, and travelling, not having a romantic partner. In many ways, single people navigate around the societal pressure to “settle down”, which is commendable.
7. Commitment Phobia
A fear of commitment is relatively common. Some people remain single because the idea of commitment is scary, and they don’t want to deal with the pressure or risk having their relationship end in breakup or divorce.
8. Travel Freedom
It’s hard to hop on a plane and take a spontaneous trip to Acapulco with a partner who isn’t on board with the idea. If you’re single, however, you are flexible to travel whenever work allows for the opportunity. You can stick to your schedule and budget, and not feel limited by another person.
9. Not Interested in the Drama
Even the strongest romantic relationships can be rife with jealousy, bitterness, and big fights. Being single is your ticket to avoiding any type of relationship drama. Instead, you can focus on the drama at work or with your friends. There’s usually enough there to keep single people busy.
10. Loving the Dating Scene
Avoiding long-term relationships can open you up to enjoying variety on the dating scene. You get to meet new people, have fun adventures, and experience some novelty while exploring different personalities and types of people. If the idea of dating doesn’t turn you off, it can be exciting and enriching.
11. Leaning Into Friendships
Being single lets you devote more time and energy to your friendships, which can be equally as rewarding as romantic relationships. You can develop deeper bonds with friends as you are not hindered by the time commitment of a romantic partner. Friendships can also be far less demanding.
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12. Deeper Relationships with Immediate Family
Single people often have more time and emotional energy to care for aging parents and connect with their siblings. These relationships can have a profound and positive impact on our happiness and quality of life. In some cases, being single allows us to provide more support and companionship to our immediate family.
13. A Quest for Self-Improvement
Choosing to be single lets you focus on self-improvement. Whether you want to better your professional life or maybe change a habit, being single offers the freedom to pursue these avenues and, ultimately, focus on being your best self.
14. Freedom to Move
Moving when you have a partner or family is daunting. When you’re single, you can relocate on a whim to pursue an opportunity or new experience. Being single makes moving one block over or relocating to a new continent much easier.
15. Avoiding Dreaded In-Laws
Not everyone has annoying or intrusive in-laws, but being single lets you avoid being put in that situation. When you’re in a relationship with someone, you’re also in a relationship with their parents and siblings, which can be stressful.
16. Enjoy Your Personal Space
If you’re single, then your home is your own to do with as you please. You can decorate however you want and leave a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. On the other hand, when you share a space with a partner, it is just that, a shared space.
17. High Standards
It’s not surprising to suggest that societal pressure to get married can cause someone to lower their standards just to walk down the aisle. Someone who chooses to be single might have high standards that they are unwilling to compromise on.
18. No Desire to be a Parent
One reason that people enter into a relationship is to eventually have children. If you have no desire to have a child, then a relationship might be less appealing. A lack of desire to start a family is a common and practical reason to stay single.
19. Commitment to Social Justice
People who are dedicated to a cause, such as the environment or humanitarian work, may want to devote every minute and ounce of energy to their passion. They may simply choose not to devote their time to anything outside of their causes, including a relationship.
20. A Lifestyle Choice
Simply put, being single is a lifestyle and one that many choose to adhere to. This doesn’t mean that someone will be single forever, but it does mean that a relationship isn’t interesting to them currently. If you’re having fun, enjoying your career, and forming deeper bonds with friends, then why change your lifestyle for the sake of it?
