5+ Reasons Why You’re Actually Better Off Single
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When you've been single in your life, or if you're currently single, how did you deal with it? Is it something that's bothered you before? Did it leave you feeling upset? How about lonely, free, angry, curious, or any mix of those feelings?
We all react to living a single life differently. Some people just take to it better. For those who struggle with it, it's important to find the good things about it so you can know you're not without some silver linings while on you're own. Keep clicking through to learn more!
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Learning To Be Alone
Being single, especially after a long-term relationship, can be tough. Getting used to being alone again isn't easy, and if you're still not over your ex or the breakup was bad, you're likely also dealing with some other negative feelings, too.
Know that this sorrow won't last forever. Instead of waiting for the next relationship to come your way, or worse, settling for less because you feel it's the only way to cope, now's the best time to learn about all the benefits there are to being single.
Psychotherapist Anna Jackson spoke to Insider about some of the numerous scientific benefits there are to being single, hopefully inspiring some folks to find strength in solitude. Here are just a few.
Better At Keeping Friends
A study published in Contexts proved that single people (especially those who have always been single) are better at caring for, supporting, and building connections with friends and family versus married people. Being in a relationship often takes up a lot of your attention, meaning your friends and family get cast aside in the process.
Another study published in Informations, Communication, & Society proved that single people also have a wider range of people they consider close friends. They also put much more effort into upholding sibling relationships especially.
You're More Active When You're Single
In fact, single people might generally be healthier than couples. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family showed that single people are the most physically active, with divorced people behind them and married people trailing in last.
A variety of other studies showed that single women especially are healthier than married women and that single people, in general, tend to have lower BMIs than married people. All of this is due to the fact that they have more time to work on themselves or are less likely to skip out on a routine due to someone else's schedule or mood.
Getting More Work Opportunities
Single people have been proven to value meaningful work more than coupled people according to one study, so already they're more likely to put their all into their work and really dedicate their heart to it.
However, because they're not tied down anywhere by someone else's work, connections, or otherwise, single people are also more capable of taking job offers not located in their current town. They get to make life decisions like that without the input, and potential conflict, of a partner.
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Better Off Financially
Yes, it's definitely harder to support yourself with a single income, but that doesn't mean single people are totally at a loss when it comes to finances.
Single people no longer have to help support another person, especially in cases where they are the breadwinner, which is an automatic bump in savings. A survey done by debt.org also showed that single people have way less debt than married couples, even married couples without kids. Not to mention that more free time means more time that can be spent working on a side hustle if that's something you want to pursue.
Better At Being Independent
This might sound obvious, but the more you look into it, the more benefits it has. Single people, especially those who have been single for a long time, become very independent, meaning they're more self-sufficient in just about every area of life.
Studies have even shown that independent, self-sufficient singles experience fewer negative emotions than self-sufficient married people, as they're able to practically apply this independence. While it may take some time to get used to solely supporting yourself, you'll find it much more comfortable with time.
It's Better Than Being With The Wrong Person
As mentioned, being single often isn't fun. It can be a serious source of depression in the lives of many people. What's important to remember, though, even during the hard times, is that being single is always better than being with the wrong person.
Whether it's you settling for less than you deserve or being taken advantage of by someone who sees you at a low point and knows you're vulnerable, both cause much more undue stress than simply being alone. This way, you're only dealing with your feelings, not the feelings of someone else stacked on top of your grief.
There's Happiness Here
You're allowed to have your issues, reservations, worries, and negative feelings about being single. No one is suggesting that you should just write it off or get over it. It's hard being without that kind of love in your life, and you should honor those feelings until you feel ready to move past them.
While you're doing that, though, be sure to keep in mind all of these amazing benefits of being single. If you solely view being single as a bad thing, you'll be stuck in a negative feedback loop, and that won't get anyone anywhere. You're still a complete person even when you're single, and you can still find plenty of happiness without a partner in your life. You just have to do a little extra searching.
