While some of us are all about #relationshipgoals, the rest of us know that there are plenty of ways that being solo beats being partnered every time. If you’re single, whether by choice or circumstance, you’re not alone. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2017, there were over 110 million unmarried Americans over the age of 18. That’s 45.2% of those in that age group (so it’s very likely that a lot of your friends are single too!). There’s even Unmarried and Single Americans Week that happens the third week of September, because weddings and anniversaries aren’t the only things that deserve celebrating when it comes to dating and relationships.
So many single folks milling around could mean a wide dating pool, or simply millions of people who share a fondness for solo life. Maybe you prefer being single, or just haven’t met that person you want to devote yourself to yet. Maybe you never think about being single, or are always looking for your next date (and mate). Either way, we feel you—and are here with a big dose of good news.
Being single means you have a lot more say about how you spend your time and might even affect your health! So for all the single ladies (and guys) out there, this one’s for you. Here’s our top 10 reasons why being single is better than being in a relationship:
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You can make plans freely
No more obligatory visits with your partner’s family, or afternoons spent watching a game that you have no interest in. Your social calendar is your own, whether you want to bunker down under a blanket or party all night long. When you’re single, there’s no one to check in with or take into consideration. You can spontaneously decide to hit up a happy hour with friends, catch a midnight movie, or plan an impromptu road trip. You’ll never have FOMO because you won’t be missing a thing.
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No battling over the remote
You take your binge watching seriously, but a partner might prefer to catch PBS instead of Rick and Morty when you get home and are ready for some quality TV and couch time. Netflix and chill? More like Netflix and sulk. But when you’re single, you can watch what you want, when you want…and nobody will be mocking you for your pop culture choices.
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Decorate however you want
Your home is your castle, no matter how big or small it is, from a dorm room to an apartment to a five-bedroom house. It’s where you wake up and go to sleep every day and probably where you spend lots of hours in between. So you should get to decorate your home however you see fit, whether that’s band posters or art prints, wallpaper or Buddha statues. When you’re single, you can practice feng shui or go for leopard print wallpaper. Or if you want to leave your clothes on the floor, no one will nag you to pick them up.
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More time with your friends
Let’s be real—when you’re in a relationship, even your bestie is going to be seeing a little less of you. It’s inevitable. While coupled up guys and girls can still be excellent friends, when you’re single you have more free time to actually hang out with them. You don’t have to say no to a party because your significant other already signed you up for a dance class or isn’t up for being social.
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Me, myself and I
In addition to having more time for your best buds, you’ll also have more time for yourself. Whether you’re an introvert who craves alone time or you simply need a break once in a while from constant chatter, being single means you can play a video game, read a book, go for a long walk, check out a museum, hit up a bar or anything else all by yourself. You don’t have to feel like you’re rejecting your partner simply because you want to enjoy some solo hours.
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Eat your heart out
Food is an essential part of our daily lives, whether we eat a formal breakfast, lunch and dinner or prefer to snack throughout the day. But nothing’s worse than when you have your heart set on sinking your teeth into a gooey slice of pizza while your partner insists on a healthy salad for dinner. When you’re single, you can gobble up whatever combinations of foods you like. Go ahead, drink straight from the bottle, eat leftovers for breakfast, put ketchup on your tacos…the world (and fridge) is your oyster.
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Getting those Zs
Sleeping alone may sound, well, lonely, but it’s actually a great way to get that necessary REM sleep. Sleeping with a partner can mean dealing with snoring, nightmares and a battle over bed space. So get your comfiest blanket and pillow, put on an eye mask and take up as much of the bed as you want—it’s all yours.
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Money, honey!
Being single means you get to control how and when you spend your money. You won’t have to shell out the big bucks for a wedding, which on average in the United States costs over $33,000, according to The Knot. Ka-ching! While you won’t have someone to split costs with, you also won’t have to fork over your cash for things that weren’t your idea. Focus on saving, investing and spending money in a way that suits your financial mindset.
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Get your big O, your way
Since sex is one of the top three things couples fight about, when you’re single, you can get it on in the ways that you know get you off. Maybe that involves using a variety of sex toys, having a one-night stand, or engaging in dirty talk. You’ll be able to decide when you want to slide between the sheets and what you want to do once you get there, because being single is all about erotic satisfaction.
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Here’s to your health
Yes, it’s true: There are scientific reasons why your health may be better when you’re single. In addition to possibly getting better sleep, studies have found that people exercise more when they‘re single and take better care of themselves. Of course, you should be doing those things whether you’ve got a partner or not, but being on your own may make you prioritize them.
There you have it…our favorite reasons to love the single life. Pass it on to your friend who’s always complaining about the agony of dating.
If you do find yourself veering away from single life and have the urge to get out there and mingle again, we’ve got suggestions for 100 fun first dates.
