1 hour ago
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No matter what societal pressures or ideologies are forced onto us every day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being single. It's actually preferred by more people than you think.
So when Reddit user u/TheLone_wolf11 asked the question, "What’s the biggest perk of being single that people rarely talk about?" in the r/SingleAndHappy subreddit, I knew people would be very, very candid with their answers.
1. "You don't have to pretend to enjoy his shows or compromise on what you want to do that evening."
3. "Not having to drive between multiple families during holidays. I can go to one holiday celebration and spend the rest of the time actually relaxing. And no one expects me to host because my home is too small. It’s lovely."
4. "Being able to make a big change to your appearance without having to deal with someone's disappointment or demand for an explanation."
5. "People really underestimate how peaceful it is to not have someone that you have to text back constantly... and they get mad if you don't. Sometimes I don't wanna talk for a few days."
6. "My apartment is as clean or as cluttered as I want it to be, and no one is here to judge me."
7. "Not having to share a bed. I've been single for a year and a half now after being with my ex, and I still love being able to claim the whole bed and duvet and not having to listen to someone snoring."
8. "Buying his family gifts. It was weirdly expected after we were married that we, as a couple, would produce gifts for his family. I would do the shopping, gift wrap, buy the card, sign it, get him to sign it, then ship it and mail it to his fucking family. I’m so glad I don’t have to do that anymore. Grrrrrr!"
9. "No one assumes automatic entitlement to my free time. My days off can be spent however I want; not running errands for someone else or accompanying them to whatever they signed up to do."
10. "So many coupled people have had to forgo their potential or dreams because they couldn't afford to bring their partner along, either emotionally or financially."
11. "Going on vacation. I only have to buy one flight ticket, stay anywhere I want, do anything I want, and come home without hearing a single complaint of the one thing I did 'wrong' after paying and planning the entire trip. Love the freedom."
12. "Having to go to their family members' events. I don’t even like going to my own family events. The thought of throwing away a weekend night for Uncle Harold’s 67th birthday in bumfuck New Jersey sounds miserable to me."
13. "A massively reduced mental load and anxiety. All my thoughts are for my kid and me. I didn't realize how much I gave and lived for my partner until I became properly single."
14. "I miss sex, but I’m a LOT happier without it, if that means no one is grabbing at me all the time. No expectations after a nice gesture or date. None of that. My body is FINALLY relaxing; it took years."
15. "You can be sad and depressed and gloomy for infinite amounts of time and don't have to worry about how the other person will handle it! I guess that's applicable when you have a great partner, too, but personally, I feel too much guilt and restlessness if I am with anyone and still feel gloomy. You don't have to answer or explain yourself to anybody."
And finally, here's one that's definitely an important thing to remember:
16. "Recently I have noticed that quite a few people in relationships have had their light robbed from them; they've forgotten who they are on their own. I know who I am, and it has taken multiple relationships to make me realize that I am happy alone."
Are you single and want to share your thoughts on the perks of not being tied down to anyone? Let me know what you think down in the comments, or if you'd like to share but remain anonymous, please fill out this form!
Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
English (US) 