8 Amazing Benefits of Being Single [2023 Guide]

Bin everything you think you know about being single. Starting with the assumption that it means being ready to mingle.

I’ve been single for a while now (four years, if we’re not counting situationships), and while I’m the first to admit, I often dance the Tango with loneliness, I love the benefits of being single.

I unashamedly love starfishing in bed.

I make decisions for myself. Like ordering a pizza with extra anchovies.

And nobody holds me back.

Being single means whatever you want it to mean. And I choose my relationship status to be the least exciting thing about me.

If you’ve found this blog newly single, already living your best single life, or simply single by choice, I can’t wait to share my experiences with you.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. There’s more time to develop strong friendships

Spending time with my friends has changed my well-being for the better. When I was in a committed relationship, my friendships took a backseat.

I missed birthdays.

And holidays.

Truth be told, I didn’t spend quality time with anyone outside of my then-partner because I thought the ecosystem that I was building with him was more important than other personal relationships.

Spoiler, I was wrong.

The first two years after this particular breakup were tough, but I spent most of it connecting with old friends and making new ones along the way. Now four years on, I know without a single doubt that I wouldn’t have found my people if it wasn’t for the end of that relationship, and that’s really bittersweet.

2. Less stress

Being alone can be stressful, but so can being with the wrong person. Just think about all the married folks you know that have gone on to get a divorce. And if you’re fortunate not to know anyone personally, let me tell you, it’s one of the most stressful situations a person can find themselves in.

Hand on heart the stress that often burdens relationships is something that I’m glad I don’t have to think about. Not once have I missed arguing or its implications on my mental health and happiness. But that’s a story for another day.

3. It’s a chance to get to know yourself

When you’re in a relationship, it’s SO easy to lose sight of yourself. You’re thinking about your partner, schedules, the future and all the other aspects of life that exist in romantic relationships.

But when you’re single, the external influence from a partner disappears and you can focus on the present, your future self, your career, new hobbies, and your own goals.

In my experience, it was and still is one of the most surprising benefits of being single. Often single people (myself included), overthink the course of our lives, especially in a world that’s built for couples.

It took (and still takes) a lot of self-awareness and brutal honesty but it’s been life-changing.

4. Experience total freedom

There’s a different kind of freedom that exists when you’re single.

One that can take your career on an alternative path, that sees you travel without hesitation, to have space, to make more effort to focus on your personal development or to explore your sex life.

Whenever I catch myself overthinking about the future or being envious of married people and all the things I don’t have, I try to remind myself that this current freedom is temporary and that one day I’ll miss it.

5. Travel far, travel wide

Call me a cliché, but I love to travel. And I’ve done more of it as a single person.

When I was in a relationship, destinations were always a compromise, budgets were tricky and schedules needed to align months in advance.

Now I travel whenever and wherever I want. No strings attached.

6. Learn to become self-sufficient

Single people might be alone, but that doesn’t mean they’re lonely.

It can feel confronting at first, but at some point in everyone’s lives, they’ll need to be self-sufficient and if you’ve never been alone, you might have a tough time adjusting.

7. Become more financially stable

According to debt.org, “21% of single individuals had credit card debt, [compared to] 27% of married people without children and 36% of married people with children.” Rejoice, single people!

8. Single people are healthier

Various research suggests that unmarried people are healthier than their married counterparts. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Women’s Health discovered that single women had lower BMIs, and lower risks associated with smoking and alcohol compared to married women.

Take this all with a grain of salt (I definitely did), but it suggests that single people tend to have more time to focus on their overall health.

When I think about my own health journey, I’d say I tend to look after myself better when I’m single.

Whenever I’ve found myself in new relationships, I exercise less, I drink more alcohol and I order way more Deliveroo. And that’s no shade to anyone I’ve ever dated or been with. That’s on me. When I’m in a romantic relationship I just spend my time differently.

After my first breakup, my mental health was in tatters for a long time. But the pandemic was a turning point for me, the stillness of it all allowed me to work through feelings I had pushed aside. And it spurred me to start running.

At first, I hated it.

Until it started helping me get rid of negative emotions.

Then out of nowhere, it brought me a lot of happiness.

My first partner wouldn’t have supported that hobby or journey, so it’s safe for me to assume that maybe if we were still together I would have never found that buzz. Maybe. Maybe not.

But I can say that being single gave me the perspective to spend time and focus on my future self’s health.

Also read about: How to Reconnect After a Relationship Break

Is the single life the best life?

Yes.

No.

I don’t know.

I’m not here to tell you or anyone that being single is better than being in a relationship. Or vice versa. I believe you can have a good life either way.

What I do want is to debunk this notion that single people are sad, lonely and collecting dust until they find their soul mates. It’s just not true. And I hope I’ve helped you see some of the benefits of being single.

Enjoy the single life, it’s yours for the taking.

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