7 Unexpected Benefits Of Being Single..see more

• There are a lot of benefits of being single. Whether you’re someone who prefers to be in a relationship or is normally flying solo, everyone can benefit from some time on their own. And some of the benefits are pretty obvious ones. You have more freedom, more flexibility — and you’re not trapped in a relationship just for the sake of being with someone.

 

“I’d rather be single, in a comfortable relationship with myself, than trapped in a dysfunctional, toxic relationship with someone else,” certified relationship coach Rosalind Sedacca tells Bustle. “Being single gives me freedom so I don’t waste time or energy on a relationship partner who doesn’t value me and my attributes. I’ve given up drama and appreciate my life as it is now.”

But there are also other benefits — some that you might not have thought of yet. Because although it’s great to have the freedom to be on your own and maybe even go on on a bit of a sexual walkabout, there are other reasons that being single can totally rock your socks off. Here are the benefits that you might not have thought of.

1 You Can Fill Your Life With Things That Actually Make You Happy

So many people equate relationships and happiness— but that’s just not true for every relationship (or every person). “If you’re happy, then there’s no reason to push yourself to be in a relationship just because society expects it,” Kali Rogers, founder of Blush Online Life Coaching, tells Bustle. “Happiness is not a one size fits all, and can only be measured by the person experiencing it. So if being single makes you happy, stay single! That’s all there is to it.” If what makes you happy is travel, nights out with friends, hobbies, whatever — you have the chance to do it.

There’s something really gratifying about knowing you’re not being swept along with the crowd just for the hell of it. “You’re being true to yourself,” New York–based relationship expert and author April Masini tells Bustle. “Getting a date — even getting married — is not that difficult. But doing it on your terms because you’re ready and you think your partner is the right one takes discrimination, hard work and time… You’re living your life and being true to yourself by doing your diligence and living honestly.”

Knowing that you’re being authentic and demonstrating good judgement is a huge benefit.

3 Your Life Isn’t Stuck On A Certain Trajectory

Once you’re coupled up, there’s an expectation: Move in, marriage, babies. Even if you don’t do any of those things, you’re still constantly fighting against that expectation. “Society promotes, encourages, and rewards coupledom and particularly marriage,” relationship therapist Aimee Hartstein, LCSW, tells Bustle. “This is particularly hard on single women because unmarried men are portrayed as ‘sowing their oats’ or ‘playing the field’ while unmarried women are considered to be old maids that are left on the shelf.”