14 reasons being single can be better than being in a relationship

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Some people think being in a relationship is the best thing ever. But being single can be great too! Many times, people don’t talk about how fun and rewarding it can be to be on your own.

Being single doesn’t mean you’re just waiting for someone to date. It can be a happy and exciting time in your life. You can do things your way, spend time with yourself, and try new hobbies.

In this article, I’ll go through 14 reasons why it’s better to be single than in a relationship. Let’s begin!

1) Freedom 

People in a relationship, don’t come for me with pitchforks, I know you empowered individuals have freedom in your relationships!

But being single gives a completely different type of freedom…

You don’t need to check in with your partner before you plan a weekend away. You don’t need to see what they fancy for dinner before cooking. 

In fact, you can literally do whatever you want without having to seek another person’s opinion.

Not to mention, this freedom really comes in handy, especially when it comes to meeting someone halfway…

2) No need to compromise 

That’s right, another benefit of being single is not having to compromise on a daily basis. 

Think about it this way:

You love Mexican food, your partner loves Chinese. 

Inevitably, you’ll have to eat Chinese food at least half of the time. Just to be fair, you know?

But when you’re single…you can eat all the Mexican food you want. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On top of that, no one will be there giving you judgemental looks or rolling their eyes as you order the same thing for the 1000th time off the menu! 

3) You can enjoy your independence 

When you’re single, you get to make all your own choices.

Want to eat ice cream for dinner? You can!

Feel like watching your favorite movie three times in a row? Go for it!

There’s no one telling you what to do or asking you to compromise.

Being independent means you’re the boss of your life. You can go where you want, wear what you like, and spend your time the way you choose. If you want to take a last-minute trip or stay up late reading a great book, you don’t have to check with anyone else.

This freedom lets you discover what you really like and who you truly are. It gives you the chance to grow and learn about yourself without worrying about what someone else might think.

Enjoying your independence isn’t about being lonely; it’s about having the space and time to be your own person and do what makes you happy.

4) Your social life is your own 

But having independence isn’t the only benefit of being single, you’re also able to structure your social life however you want!

No need to schedule your days to suit a partner. No need to check in with them before committing to plans with friends.

You can be “out” as much as you like without a text asking when you’ll be home or if you’ll pick up Chinese on the way back! 

5) No relationship drama 

I thought about putting this at the top of the list of benefits of being single, but to be fair, not every relationship is dramatic.

But that being said, there is always the possibility of drama, especially when two people are so intimately involved.

You see, when you’re single, there’s no:

  • Arguing because you’re both hungry and tired
  • Wondering why your SO is being shady with their phone 
  • Bickering over who has to do the chores
  • Passive aggressive comments over unfulfilled expectations 

Not to mention the big arguments that inevitably come along when boundaries are broken or one person feels disrespected! 

So, single reader, you may have drama in your life, but at least it’s not with someone you have to share a bed with after a fallout! 

6) You get to focus on your own needs

When you’re single, you have more time and energy to think about what you need and want. It’s a time when you can put yourself first and really look after yourself.

Do you like spending Saturday mornings doing a fun hobby or just relaxing in bed? You can! No need to worry about someone else’s plans or needs. Want to save money to go on a dream vacation or buy something special for yourself? You can plan for it without having to think about anyone else’s wishes.

Focusing on your own needs means understanding what makes you feel good and happy. It might be spending time with friends, taking care of your health, or learning something new. Being single gives you the chance to do all these things without distractions.

Sometimes in relationships, we spend so much time thinking about what the other person wants that we forget about ourselves. Being single lets you turn the spotlight on you. It’s your time to shine and do what’s best for you.

7) Flirting guilt-free

Now, this may be a controversial one, but let’s face it, we’re all guilty of flirting from time to time, even those in the most loving relationships! 

But here’s the thing about being single:

You can do it guilt-free.

The truth is, single people can flirt with anyone, anytime, without having to feel weird about it. And let’s be honest, flirting is fun, even more so when it’s not gonna lead to an argument with your partner.

8) Traveling is easier 

Now, I mentioned traveling earlier – it’s just so much easier when you only have your own schedule to contend with.

Two people trying to get the same time off from work, both with different ideas of a good holiday, is not easy to organize.

Not to mention, one person in the couple inevitably gets stressed out by flying, so there’s that too. 

Put simply, one of the perks of being single is being able to pack up your bags, book a flight and just go! Without having to think of how your travels will affect anyone else. 

9) More time to spend with family/friends 

But when you’re not busy jet-setting around the world, another benefit of riding solo is being able to spend time with your loved ones.

Now, that doesn’t mean folks in a relationship instantly abandon their friends and family the moment they commit, but logistically, it gets harder.

You might want to spend the weekend with your family, but your partner has a big reunion and wants you to come along. You fancy a quiet evening in with your friends, but your partner has already reserved the TV for their night in playing Fortnight. 

When you’re single, nothing is holding you back from spending time with your nearest and dearest…unless they’re in relationships of course! 

10) Not being answerable to anyone 

Forgot to take the trash out?

Splurged on something you shouldn’t have?

Guess what…

There are no consequences when you’re single! No one is asking why you spent so much or moaning at you for forgetting it’s your week to do the trash. 

The bottom line is:

When you’re a single adult, you don’t really have to answer to anyone. If you mess something up, it’s on you. There’s no one there to remind you of it, which is a whole freedom in itself! 

11) You can focus on self-development 

Being single is like having a blank canvas. You can paint your life any way you want, and that includes making yourself better.

Ever wanted to learn how to cook a fancy meal, play a musical instrument, or speak a new language? When you’re single, you have the time and freedom to do it. There’s nobody to tell you that you can’t, and there’s no need to fit someone else’s schedule.

Self-development is all about growing and becoming the best version of yourself. Maybe you want to get better at making friends, or perhaps you want to be more confident. Being single gives you the chance to work on these things.

You can join clubs, take classes, or just spend time thinking about what you want in life. There’s no rush, and there’s no one else to please. It’s all about what you want to do and who you want to be.

Being single isn’t about waiting for someone else to come along. It’s a special time to focus on you and what you can achieve. So why not make the most of it and see how much you can grow?

12) More time to pursue your hobbies 

But self-development isn’t the only area that you have more time for if you’re single…

You can also deep dive into your hobbies!

There’s no need to find a “quiet moment” or take advantage of the time your partner is out of the house to do what brings you happiness.

And even more so, there’s no one interrupting your flow when you’re lost in an activity, all because they want to know why the TV remote control isn’t working! 

But what if one of your hobbies is X-rated? Believe it or not, that’s another perk of being single…

13) Sexual freedom 

I’m going to make one thing clear: Even if you and a partner have amazing sex, after a while, you will find yourself wondering what it’s like to sleep with someone…different. 

This is something single people don’t have to worry about! 

If you wanna mix it up, try different people, and explore your sexuality without judgment, you can go for it!

But when you’re in a (monogamous) relationship, you’re only left with daydreaming and the occasional dream cheating!

14) No pressure to make big plans or commit 

And finally, another perk of being single that I think most people in relationships are jealous of is not having to commit to something big.

Because let’s be real, in every relationship, at some point, comes “the talk”. The conversation where you suss out whether you’re going to marry this person and have babies or not. 

Single people don’t need to worry about this. They don’t need to make a decision so big, so heavy with the weight of expectations. 

And they don’t need to go through the pain of disappointing someone they care about if they’re not able to fulfill their commitment! 

So, if you’re single – enjoy it! There’s a lot to celebrate, and a lot of fun to be had.

And if you’re in a relationship? Look, the grass is always greener on the other side…

Can a relationship coach help you too?

If you want specific advice on your situation, it can be very helpful to speak to a relationship coach.

I know this from personal experience…

A few months ago, I reached out to Relationship Hero when I was going through a tough patch in my relationship. After being lost in my thoughts for so long, they gave me a unique insight into the dynamics of my relationship and how to get it back on track.

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Pearl Nash

Pearl Nash has years of experience writing relationship articles for single females looking for love. After being single for years with no hope of meeting Mr. Right, she finally managed to get married to the love of her life. Now that she’s settled down and happier than she’s ever been in her life, she's passionate about sharing all the wisdom she's learned over the journey. Pearl is also an accredited astrologer and publishes Hack Spirit's daily horoscope.

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