There are so many misconceptions about being single even in 2024. From pity from coupled-up friends to the assumption that you must be desperately searching for a partner, sometimes it feels like society misunderstands the single experience entirely. Here are some of the things many people get wrong about what it’s like to roll solo.
1. Single people are sad and lonely.
Source: Unsplash The stereotype is that singles spend their nights sobbing into a pint of ice cream and stalking their exes on social media. The truth is that many (if not most) single people are perfectly happy, with full and busy social lives filled with deep friendships and supportive family. Loneliness can strike anyone, regardless of relationship status, Forbes points out.
2. Single people hate their lives.
Source: Unsplash Definitely not! Plenty of singles are loving their solo lives. They have the freedom to pursue their passions without compromise, build strong relationships with friends and family, and focus on personal growth without their lives revolving around a romantic partner. Being single can be incredibly fulfilling and empowering.
3. If you’re single, there must be something wrong with you.
Source: Unsplash This is harmful nonsense. Being single might be a phase in your life, a conscious choice, or simply because you haven’t found the right partner yet. There’s nothing inherently “wrong” with being unattached – your relationship status doesn’t define your worth as a person.
4. Single people desperately want to be in a relationship.
Source: Unsplash Sure, many singles wouldn’t mind finding love, but the difference is want versus need. Lots of perfectly happy singles aren’t actively searching or yearning for a partner. They recognize that a healthy relationship is a bonus, not something that’s required to live a rich, fulfilling life.
5. Single people are selfish.
Source: Unsplash Not cool. Single people can be incredibly generous with their time, energy, and resources. They often have strong connections with friends, family, and their community. Without the demands of a partnership, some singles can even devote more time to volunteer work or giving back in meaningful ways.
6. Singles are missing out on the best parts of life.
Source: Unsplash Travelling the world solo, buying a home on your own, or just embracing the freedom to do what you want when you want – there are incredible experiences unique to the single life. Relationships bring their own joys, but singlehood shouldn’t be seen as a less fulfilling existence; it’s simply different.
7. There’s a timeline for finding “the one”.
Source: Unsplash Who decided age 30 (or any other arbitrary age) is the deadline for finding a partner? Relationships blossom at different stages of life for different people. There’s no race and no shame in finding love later in the game. Societal pressure to couple up by a certain age can lead to making unhealthy relationship choices just to fit the mould.
8. Singles are less capable than people in relationships.
Source: Unsplash Seriously? Single people develop incredible resourcefulness and self-sufficiency. From managing their own finances to fixing things around the house, singles learn how to handle life without relying on a partner. This builds confidence and resilience, which benefits them in all areas of their lives.
9. Once you’ve been in a long-term relationship, you can’t be happy single again.
Source: Unsplash Adjusting back to solo living after a breakup or the end of a serious relationship takes time. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be miserable forever! With self-care, a strong support system, and perhaps some therapy if needed, you can absolutely rediscover joy and fulfilment as a single person, even after being with someone for a long time.
10. Single people are always available.
Source: Unsplash Just because someone isn’t in a romantic relationship doesn’t mean their schedule is wide open. Singles have busy lives too! They have work, friendships, hobbies, family commitments…they can’t always drop everything to hang out with coupled-up friends at the last minute.
11. Your married friends are secretly pitying you.
Source: Unsplash Not always! While some coupled-up people might look down on the single life, good friends (married or otherwise) celebrate your happiness. They know a thriving single life looks different from a thriving relationship, and they support whatever path brings you the most joy, whether partnered or unpartnered.
12. Singles have a ton of free time.
Source: Unsplash Ha! Sometimes being single feels like having an endless to-do list. Between work, maintaining a home, staying active, socializing, and pursuing personal goals, many singles find their schedules are jam-packed. Free time is a precious commodity, regardless of whether you’re sharing your life with a partner or not.
13. Being single is a temporary phase everyone will eventually outgrow.
Source: Unsplash For some people, it is a phase! But for others, being single is a lifelong choice. There’s no single “right” path. Some people are at their happiest with a partner, others prefer the independence and flexibility that single life offers. Both can be fulfilling and worthy life choices.
14. Being single means never having sex or intimacy.
Source: Unsplash Nope! Singles can have healthy and fulfilling sex lives. From casual hookups to dating multiple partners, there are ways to explore your sexuality outside the confines of a traditional monogamous relationship. Intimacy also comes in many forms – strong friendships and family bonds create deep, meaningful connections.
15. You can’t truly understand love or life until you’re in a relationship.
Source: Unsplash Ridiculous! Singles experience a wide range of love – romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love. They build deep connections, they face challenges, and they learn about themselves through solo adventures, setbacks, and successes. Life experience isn’t exclusive to partnered individuals.
16. Singles are all bitter and jaded about love.
Source: Unsplash Some might have been hurt in the past and have a more cautious approach to relationships. But painting all singles as bitter is unfair! Many are hopeful romantics still open to finding love, they just know their worth and won’t settle for less than a healthy partnership.
