Bread basket for one please...

Do you remember Valentine’s Day at school? How those kids used to deliver roses and cards in class to those lucky ladies or fellas that had secret admirers? Ah the anxiety! No wonder we all have so many issues.

I have been single for around 2 years (it’s them not me, I swear) and initially I hated Valentine’s Day and the idea of couples in general. I dislike most forms of affection, I hate cutesy nicknames and if flowers get delivered to my work I’m probably ducking under the desk not yelling from on top of it, so you could say single life suits me well. Saying that I definitely have moments where I get lonely and want someone to hold me and tell me I’m pretty/beautiful/sexy/sassy and that they kinda like or even love me. Don’t judge me, we all have had those Sunday blues! But other than these days I’ve found being single rather liberating, particularly when I allowed myself to use the time to dig a little deeper and as cliche as it sounds, fall a little deeper in love with myself and the life around me.

This piece isn’t just about Valentine’s Day, this is a general reminder why just cause you don’t have another half doesn’t mean you’ve got half as much to offer and why being alone ain’t so lonely. This is a lighthearted take, but with a splash of seriousness.

Single fact #1 — you get to have all the serves with none of the judgement.

Sharing might be caring but sometimes I don’t want to share and I just don’t care. Sure having wine, chocolate and other delicious treats with a loved one might be great but a lot of the time having it by yourself on a chill Friday night is just what the doctor ordered. Or you even call up a good mate to share it with, the best thing is when there’s no romantic expectations the only drama will be the Netflix movie you pick!

Single fact #2 — Your secret single routine is safe.

We all have our secret single routines, those guilty pleasures we indulge in when no one else is around. Meditate naked? Eat chocolate in bed when you’re meant to be dieting? Practice headstands in your knickers? Okay so maybe those are just mine but you’re picking up what I’m putting down. Enjoy these moments of solitude whilst you can, no one stealing your chocolate or judging your underwear and TV show choices!

Single fact #3 — time to find what YOU want.

Do you know what’s a super annoying couple trait? When they start to refer to everything as “we/us/ours”. Okay Susan we get it YOU’RE ONE NOW. One of the greatest perks of being just you, is finding what you really enjoy. I’m guilty of picking up ex boyfriends habits and hobbies from smoking (ah 17 yo Meg) to scuba diving (a lot more advisable than the smoking). But were they things I wanted to do or was it simply because I thought it’s what the guy wanted me to do so they’d love me? Either way, never again. Your time alone is the time to find out exactly who you are and what you enjoy. My biggest tip is when you do find your plus one, don’t minus your new found habits. You may now be a couple but you still need the two INDIVIDUALS to make two.

Single fact #4 — save money, space & time.

Dating is expensive, especially if you’re a guy! And when you get serious the gifts start to include their family and even their pets!! You often lose half your bed (more if they’re a cuddler) and spend a lot of time waiting for them to call, text, come home, get ready etc etc. My advice is to enjoy your luxuries now, treat yourself or save for yourself but do it now before two becomes one and everything becomes half.

Despite all my fun facts, I do genuinely believe that real love is pretty great and we should all be open to it. I’m simply here to remind those of you that don’t have the romantic kind right now not to fret because being single can be pretty great, it’s a time to spend with other loved ones, to learn what you love and to learn what you don’t love (like cutesy nicknames and PDA).

Remember to not compare your book to the chapter or pages you see of other people’s lives. People can be in long term relationships, heck they can even be married with kids and still not be as happy as they appear! This is your show baby.

Now I’m off to practice handstands, meditate and eat chocolate naked with 0 judgement ✌🏼🤘🏼