At some point in life, we’ll likely all be there.

You know the drill: your friends want to go out, but they want their significant others to be there too.

And you, as the single friend, end up being an odd wheel.

Yet, for as much negative attention as this role receives, it can be quite pleasant when coupled with a positive attitude. It might also help to know what you’re getting into and how to make the most of it. Always remember to never put yourself in a position where you feel unsafe, but also remember that situations that make you most uncomfortable can also help you grow the most. Be content with the beautiful life you’ve been given and never make it inferior by comparison. Embrace who God made you to be, keep these short tips in mind and enjoy a fun night out with your crew.

1. It’s only awkward if you make it awkward.

I am fairly certain this could be the quote of my life. It’s an easy rut to slip into. But, if you catch your friends having a moment, don’t try to unnecessarily insert or remove yourself. They knew you’d be there, and you aren’t intruding on alone time (especially if you’re in public, you goof), so just play along. Although gagging noises are tempting.

2. Being yourself is 100 percent allowed (and encouraged).

Your friends want you there. That means be yourself and don’t try to cater to what you think they want in the situation. Just be on your usual behavior, even if that’s spilling things or snorting when you laugh or making entirely ridiculous jokes. You don’t have to perform for couples — they’re your friends after all.

3. There will be PDA.

Just be prepared. If you’re single and want that special human in your life, you’re going to get a bit jealous. If you’re a sane single person, you’re going to want to barf. Be prepared for both reactions and embrace them; they’re natural. Just don’t let them ruin the evening and squash them if they begin to take over your thoughts and emotions. Return to laughter and fun as soon as possible.

4. You should expect to buy your own dinner.

Isn’t that the worst part about being single? There’s no one there to pick up the check. If you have super cool friends, they might split it with you. But, if it’s a traditional date, it might be easy to envy the members of the party who get free dinners. Just remember that wherever your money came from, someone worked hard for it and it has just as much love in it as theirs.

5. People will know you’re the single one (this can be an advantage).

In a public place, it won’t be hard to spot that your hand is the only one not clamped to someone else’s. This isn’t always a bad thing. You’re perfectly free to flirt with others, using their sympathy to connect. You might also manage to get a free cookie from an elderly person who pities you. Either way, it’s a good time. Just remember that we’re all single at some point in our lives, and no one is judging you for riding solo.

6. You cannot steal a member of the couples to be your wing person.

Occasionally, someone might be down to help you out. Generally speaking, however, they want to enjoy the time with the people they love and not have to talk you up to the cutie behind the counter. So, the wheels are on their own when it comes to flirtatious behavior. Again, do not view this as a negative fact or feel abandoned. Simply use the experience to fine tune your skills.

7. You will have fun.

There might be a bit of social anxiety at the beginning, and you may be so terrified that you nearly back out at the last minute. But, if you go through with it, you may be surprised. Your friends are fun and seeing the dynamics of their relationships teaches you a lot. From viewing their relationships, you can learn what to expect when you’re in a committed relationship as well as what you aren’t looking for in a dating partner (i.e. no hand holding for four hours, bleh). But above all, you’ll learn to enjoy how much beauty your friends bring to your life and appreciate how they’re there when you need them.