Sometimes, actually most of the time, being single in society when you come to be a young adult or older comes with a negative stigma attached. Why aren’t you in a relationship? Aren’t you looking for somebody? Don’t you want to settle down? Are all questions those of us who are single in our years starting our real lives face. Being single can be cumbersome, especially when you do want one. Going to weddings, bridal showers and celebrating others’ love when all you want is some for yourself can really get on your nerves. Being single is not all that bad, though…

You can spend more time focusing on yourself.

This sounds selfish, but this is very important. Being in a relationship causes you to sometimes make compromises and think about another person a whole lot. While you are single, it allows time for you to spend nights just being with yourself, regrouping and finding what makes you the happiest. Spending time with yourself is just as important as time with anyone else!

You can do what you want. All the time.

Don’t feel like being dragged to see a superhero movie you could not care less about? That’s not a problem when It’s just me, myself and I. You can spend your free time doing whatever tickles YOUR fancy, not a compromise between you and your partner.

You can better your relationships that matter.

Such as with your family and friends. These people will be around for the long haul, so focusing time and energy on these individuals and your relationships with them is so important. And with no significant other, it is possible to be with these people more often.

You can be spontaneous.

It is hard to be completely spontaneous with another person when you are balancing two completely different schedules. When you are single, it is easy to say yes to a weekend trip planned on Thursday night or a spontaneous dinner-date with your best friends. Without another person to keep in mind always, you can be spontaneous and not give it a second thought.

You can be in love with yourself.

It is very hard to love another person if you are not in love with yourself. You have to believe in yourself and what you stand for in order to give that kind of love to someone else. So, while being in a relationship is great, you will be burned out if you do not have enough love to give.

You can meet lots of different people.

Some people find their true love in high school, but a lot of people do not. Your young adulthood is such an adventurous time – probably the most it will ever be until retirement – so being single provides opportunity to make the most of this. You can meet different people at college, your job, your internship…the possibilities are endless. Keep an open mind because someone may be waiting for you in a place you least expect.

Being in a relationship does have advantages, but being single is not too bad. It allows you much needed time to become a better person who loves themselves. Plus, patience is a virtue. While exhibiting it and waiting for the right person to come along, you are waiting for the right person. Embrace being single and use the most of your time to become the best person you can be. After all, you can still be single and in love, with you of course.