Everywhere I look there are people in relationships, falling in love, and getting married. I’m not sure if it’s just today’s world or if it’s my age or what, but I just can’t seem to escape it. Not that I want to - love is a beautiful thing to watch unfold. But it can be a little disheartening at times. Why? Well, because I’m not one of those people. I’m alone.

What a word, huh? “Alone.” It sounds downright scary and, frankly, pretty sad. But is it really? I’ve been in my fair share of relationships – both good and bad – and I have to say, I think I’d rather be alone at this point in my life. Sure, there are times when I stalk my fellow Facebook friends’ wedding photos and find myself mentally planning my own. And yes, there are certainly times when I read their sappy posts to one another and think, "wow that’s actually really sweet." But then I get off Facebook and back into the real world and realize life alone isn’t all that bad. I’ve come up with just a few reasons why there’s beauty in being alone.

FREEDOM
I can do what I want, when I want, how I want and absolutely no one is going to question me. Need I say more?

It’s liberating
It’s nice knowing I don’t have to rely on someone else to make it through my day. All I need is me. And that’s pretty dang empowering.

I can be selfish
I don’t have to think about what someone else wants when it comes to making really important decisions, you know, like what’s for dinner or what movie to watch on Netflix. It’s solely what I want (which is always breakfast food and something Disney related).

Speaking of movies, have you ever gone to see one by yourself?
No? Well, let me let you in on a little secret – it is the BEST. I can laugh obnoxiously at the parts I find funny (even though no one else does) and I don’t have to share my extra large popcorn!

I don’t have to cuddle
Hallelujah! I don’t care who you are, you know deep down that cuddling is the worst. There’s nothing comfortable about someone’s arm shoved underneath me while I’m trying to sleep. Not to mention the mass amount of body heat and – hello – morning breath. Yuck.

My money is my money
Yes, I can buy that ridiculously expensive Fossil watch that I’ll never even wear. And yes, I can book a spontaneous weekend vacation to the Caribbean. Why? Because I don’t have to spend money on useless game tickets or golf clubs for an upcoming anniversary or birthday.

I can find myself
So cliché, I know. But really. How can we be with someone else when we really haven’t figured ourselves out yet? Being alone has allowed for me to really dig deep and get in touch with my emotions, expectations, wants, and needs. Before, I was too distracted and too busy chasing validation to figure that all out and whole-heartedly just be me. My decisions often times reflected those around me instead of what I really wanted.

The only expectations I have are my own
I don’t have to worry about falling short or not living up to someone else’s, which is pretty great, considering everyone has insanely unrealistic expectations these days. I’m the only person I have to impress.

I don’t have to share
My food, my toothbrush, my car. None of it! It’s all mine.

Psychologically, it’s really good for you
I won’t bore you with all of the research and statistics, but just know that there’s serious importance in spending time with the most significant person in your life – you.

So next time you get down on yourself about being alone, stop. Find the fun in it. See the beauty in it. Do things you’ve always wanted to do. Find your passion. Fall in love with YOU. After all, you have your whole life to fall in love with someone else. And that comes with a whole lot of compromise, toilet seats left up, and sleepless nights.