All My Single Ladies…

Being single in February can feel like the kiss of death, but it’s actually not! There are many ways being single is great for your health and well-being.

No need to worry about the boyfriend layer! When you start eating with a guy more often, you may lose track of portions — either because you absentmindedly eat as much as he does, or because you don’t want to seem super diet-conscious. And it’s not like nights snuggling on the couch watching “Lost” burns a ton of calories.

More free time means more fit time! When you’re faced with the option of 30 minutes on the treadmill or a last-minute movie date, it’s pretty easy to take the second option. Plus, sharing Lazy Sundays can cut into the time you’d normally spend doing a full yoga session. But with no boy to call, it’s easier to fit in a little extra fitness in the evening after work.

Better sleep! If sharing a bed makes you toss and turn, or you always give in to requests for a weeknight sleepover, your sleep can really start to struggle. I mean, the number one way I know I really like a guy is if I’m willing to sleep over on a week night. My sleep means a lot to me — which is why, most of the time, I really prefer to sleep alone in my own bed!

Less stress! Of course not all relationships are stressful (I mean, for God’s sake, we hope they aren’t!!) but, as anyone who is in a serious relationship will tell you, “Relationships are all about compromise.” Well, compromise is a good thing, but it also takes effort, and it’s nice not to have to worry about how someone else’s life is affecting yours.

Freedom to try new things! None of this “on Tuesdays, we do softball..and on Wednesdays we do ‘Modern Family’…” No. YOU are an “I” and “I” needs to not get too comfortable in some boring routine.

Control over your finances! Sharing a life with someone can mean shopping for two, making mutual investments, planning for your future, and a lot of other boring shit. And what happens when you make more than your man and now you can’t buy that new MacBook because you’re supporting his ass? Take that vacation now, my dear. When you’re getting wifed, you may not have that kind of financial freedom.

You can do this dance alone in your apartment whenever you feel like it! Leotard, heels, hairdo, and all!!!!

More time with people who openly lay all their love on you! Sure you could be dating that guy who seems into you but doesn’t always call you back…or who maybe only texts you around last call…yeah, then maybe you wouldn’t be spending Valentine’s Day alone…but really, I’d much rather be single than in some half-assed excuse for a relationship. I mean, if you’ve got a guy who openly lays his love on you, that’s amazing and definitely healthy and wonderful, but one of the suggestions I really liked in Meeting Your Half Orange was to spend more time with the people who make you feel most loved. Maybe it’s your mom and dad, maybe it’s your BFF, maybe it’s your Twitter friends (sigh)…but I’ve found that just basking in the love from people who you know aren’t ever going to cheat on you is a really good feeling! It’s the kind of feeling that will permeate all aspects of your life and make you a happier and more passionate individual.

Do you have to LOVE being single? No. But you can try to remember that the grass is always greener, and you should appreciate your life where it is at this moment, even if that means you’re a little bit alone. The cool thing about being single is you get to make decisions based solely on what you want. When you start doing that for long enough, it becomes a habit, and you start to realize what you really want out of life and what you’re not willing to give up. That means when you do meet someone who makes you want to snuggle up during “Lost,” you’re going to be sure he’s worth it and fits into your life…and that’s a very healthy thing!

I know Valentine’s Day can feel kind of stressful, but you know what I’m kind of over? The whole “I’m-single-let’s-blackout!” kind of forced girls’ outing that sometimes takes place this time of year. I mean, you can be cool with being single, but going to the bar to make out with a random just in the spirit of “Fuck cupid!” is rather unnecessary.

I will always like Valentine’s Day because it’s about love — and you don’t need to be in a relationship to experience that. So if you are single, why not commit to doing something you love this year? So what if you do it alone? That means you can do whatever you want! Maybe take a drive somewhere to do something you’ve wanted to do…or cook yourself a fabulous dinner (that you will not sob into)…hang out with a girlfriend who always makes you feel like you can change the world…take your mom to lunch…volunteer to walk dogs…whatever your shit is, just do it! Take yourself on a hot date.

Tagged as: beyonce, dating, girls, guys, half-orange, positive attitude, positive thinking, relationships, sex