by Julius Albert Custodio

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: November 10, 2009

"I'm Single and I'm Happy with It"

It's funny how certain people, mothers in particular, would criticize their children for choosing to be single. It's not like being single is a curse or anything. Why do you think they coined the term "single blessedness" in the first place?

Living a single life may not appeal to everyone but if you're fully aware of the benefits of being single, you might just change your mind:

(1) If you're single you have more "alone time" than anybody.

By being single, you can decide when to focus on yourself without having to worry about a spouse nagging at your ears or at the back of your neck.You're free to do whatever you want and you can use that valuable time for self-improvement. You can go to the gym, read a lot of books, discover a new hobby, or even meditate and contemplate. It's almost like you've got 25 hours instead of 24! And best of all, you can manage to fit in all of those activities whichever way you wish.

Not all singles are self-centered though. Singles may have lesser problems compared to married people but it's not true that they have nothing to worry about but themselves. Some singles can be very family-oriented and serve as their family's breadwinners.

(2) Being single gives you leeway for socializing.

You have a bigger opportunity to meet (and date) new people because you're not committed to one person. You can go out during the weekends with no worries of missing out on special occasions like anniversaries and such. There's no one stopping you from enjoying quality time with your friends. You can let out the party animal in you; you can afford to be daring. Being single, you only have to answer to one person and that is yourself.

Of course, it's not all about the parties and dates. Single people also tend to develop outgoing and vibrant personalities. You may discover another side of you which you won't be able to discover once you're in a committed relationship.

(3) Being single means you do not need to compromise.

Being in a relationship can also mean one thing: having to compromise. If you're single, you don't need to do the stuff you don't like to do. Gone are the days when you get forced to accompany your significant other to that movie you never really wanted to see. You can choose the movies you want to watch or the restaurants you want to dine in. A relationship can have a negative effect on how you live your life, it puts limits on what you can do as a couple. If you're single, the possibilities are endless.

Within the strict boundaries of a relationship, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Being single is completely the opposite. There's no equal sharing to be done here. Heck, the whole concept of being single is so wide and open that it completely defies logic! The whole cake is yours to eat and to have.

(4) If you're single you now have the sole decision on how you spend your money.

Believe me, majority of single people are wealthy, they even have reality shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette to prove that. But seriously speaking, by being single, you own the keys to your vault and you can keep your finances intact. For some, it's almost like they're virtually doubling their own income. You can keep a tight watch on how you spend money without worrying about the spending habit of another person. Living a single life will line your pockets quite nicely.

These are but some of the biggest benefits of being single. But you must also remember: You may have all the freedom in the world but if you get tired of loving yourself, then it's about time to give that love away. There's a huge difference between being single for a while and staying single forever.

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