If you're having trouble being happy single, you may need help adjusting your perspective. While no one advocates wearing rose-colored glasses and ignoring the fact that many things in this world-parties, weddings, neighborhood activities, even government laws and benefits-favor married couples, you can indeed be happy as a single person. Try these suggestions for enjoying your status as a single in a coupled world:
Relish Your Freedom
Freedom from criticism, freedom to watch television until 3 a.m., freedom to take a trip anytime you want anywhere you want, freedom to spend your money as you like-the list is endless. Being in a relationship brings both companionship and confinement, so enjoy this time of liberty.
Discover What Makes You Happy
Many people, coupled and single, think relationships are supposed to bring the ultimate in satisfaction. While this is partially true-you want to be in satisfying relationship, not an unsatisfying one-true happiness needs to be discovered on your own. Make note of what activities, hobbies and experiences bring you fulfillment, and stuff your life chock full of these things.
Does cleaning your house make you feel proud and satisfied, or is this something you resent and need to relegate to a housekeeper? Do home-improvement projects make your heart swoon or sink? Does exercise make you feel good about yourself? What about painting or writing or playing the guitar? Are you at your best when you're volunteering at the animal shelter or tutoring ESL children? Use this time to discover what floats your boat. Your time spent solo can equip you to be a better partner later.
Invest in Friendships
Many couples make the mistake of depending on each other to meet all their needs when this is an unrealistic expectation for most couples. Invest in several good friendships as you seek ways to get your emotional needs. You may find one friend is a great confidant but another friend gives the best advice and yet another friend makes you laugh. By establishing a network of friends, you won't be sucked into a romantic and unrealistic expectation that your next date is going to meet all your needs all the time.
Learn From Your Coupled Friends
While singles may envy those smiling couples at the county fair, they need to know that relationships are not always easy. Talk to your married friends about their relationships and use the information you gather to help you identify exactly what you want-and don't want-in a life partner. What you hear from some of your married friends may make you extra grateful to be single and may lessen your sense of envy the next time you see them together at a public function. You may decide you're content to mingle with the crowd sans partner, enjoying your peaceful single life.
 | Being happy being single isn't as difficult as you may think: Being single is definitely not the end of the world. If you take a step back, you'll see that the single life isn't that bad at all. In fact, it can be full of fun. Whether your single status is temporary or you're content living life without a permanent partner, being single can be a great adventure. |
 | When you're single, it's normal that people will want to know about your dating life. Though it may be annoying to explain why you are single and not married, if you take it in stride and have answers ready, you can turn the situation into a positive. |
 | "I'm too busy to date right now" is an awfully convenient excuse for avoiding the dating pool. |
 | Are you out there again looking for love after a divorce, but nothing seems to click or stick? Here's what to do. |
Here, a checklist of experiences to try before settling down. |
