10 Things To Focus on When Learning How To Be Happy Alone

What’s the old double standard? A single 45-year-old-man is a bachelor and happily single. But a woman of the same age is just a crazy cat lady who couldn’t get a man. Right? Wrong. It’s very possible to learn how to be happy alone and enjoy it – you honestly don’t need to be in a relationship to be considered a whole person!

It’s sad that our society puts so much pressure on us to be in a relationship or even married. And let’s face it even men get judged if they are single for too long. People may think he is gay, or some other reason. So it’s hard for singles out there sometimes. Basically, it’s nobody else’s business, yet people like to poke their noses in.But fear not. If you want to know how to be happy alone, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy being single!

Many people confuse being alone with loneliness. There is a distinct difference. You can be alone and be perfectly content and happy. It doesn’t mean you’re going to feel lonely or upset at having to spend time in just your own company. There’s no need to feel that way.

Being alone allows you to cultivate the most important relationship in your life the one with yourself.Spending time alone helps you to find out what you like in life, what you will accept and what you won’t. It also teaches you that being alone is a calming and grounding experience.

# You can be selfish

It’s not cool for people to be selfish in the grand scheme of things. In fact, parents try to socialize kids out of being selfish. But what we mean here is that you can do whatever you want whenever you want!

You can do whatever you please, and so go ahead and be self-indulgent sometimes. You’re not hurting anyone else by doing this, so what’s the harm?

# You get to make all your financial decisions

Feel like buying a new car just because you’re sick of the one you have? Go for it! You’re single! You don’t have anyone to answer to. You have no one saying, “What? We can’t afford that!” If you want it, buy it. How cool is that?

Of course, that doesn’t mean if you’re in a relationship you don’t have control of your own money. For sure, you do. But, if you’re in a serious relationship, the likelihood of sharing finances is higher. It’s also just good manners to talk to your partner before splurging the cash on something large. When you’re single, no issue – just do it!

# You don’t have anyone that gets mad at you

Let’s face it – most relationships include conflict. And pretty much no one likes conflict. So when you’re single, you don’t have a significant other to start any fights.

You can live in peace and not have the constant stress of bickering with your partner. Don’t underestimate the stress and upheaval a major fight with a partner can cause, so when you’re single, you don’t have to think about any of that.

You can simply sit and listen to your friends moaning about their partners and their struggles instead!

# You don’t have to check in with anyone about your whereabouts

Working late? No problem. Want to go to happy hour after work? Bottoms up! You don’t have to call anyone to ask “permission” or even to check in and let them know where you are and that you are safe. You can go anywhere, so embrace it!

Also, you never know who you might meet on one of your outings. You could meet a brand new squad, or an amazing person you want to spend time with.

# You can be spontaneous

When you’re part of a couple, you have to sync your schedules. And because of that, you can’t decide to take a spontaneous road trip or a vacation whenever you want. But if you’re single, you can. In fact, you can do anything at a moment’s notice if you want to.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should feel under pressure to go about doing spontaneous things all the time – you should only do it if you feel like it, but the point is that you can!

# You can feel sorry for people who don’t have these advantages

Even though it seems like most people want to be in a relationship, let’s face it, many people are secretly envious of single people *for all the reasons mentioned in this feature*.

So instead of feeling sorry for yourself because you’re single, feel sorry for people who have a ball-and-chain they’re tied down to. In all honesty, being in a relationship is a lot like hard work much of the time.

# You can learn about yourself

When you are coupled up, you don’t have a lot of time to explore yourself. You are so busy doing things with them that you don’t have time to discover who you are and what you like.

So, if you want to know how to be happy alone, remember this huge benefit. You could find a new career route or something you’re really passionate about. The opportunities are literally endless.

# You can make new friends

Many people who are in a relationship don’t get out much. If they do, it’s with each other. So how can you possibly meet new people if you are always hanging out with your significant other? Exactly.

Being single gives you time to go find cool new friends. Let’s be honest, you can never have enough friends and while quality should always trump quality, the point is you get to go out and find new besties.

# You can reconnect with old friends

Not only do you not have time to make new friends when you’re romantically committed, but it’s also likely that you’ve ignored some of the friends you already have. Not that you don’t talk to them, but just not as often.

So, pick up that phone and make some arrangements to hang out with your old friends. Then, if you do find yourself coupled up in the future, make a pact with yourself to always keep time to one side to stay connected.

# You can decorate your house however you want

Have you always wanted a pink bedroom with flowers everywhere? Or you’ve always wanted white walls with not a thing on them? Great! Do whatever you want. Why? Because you can.