8 Things single people must do.

 

8 Things single people must do.

We’ve all been there; your best friend is dating someone from work, your sister is getting engaged next week, and then there is you. To top it all off, the people who are in a relationship are so smug about it like they have it all figured out. I call bullshit! We’ve all known that one friend, who couldn’t even turn the microwave on two weeks ago and ever since their new relationship, they are somehow a qualified psychologist.
I digress, but here is something you may not have heard before; maybe being single is excellent. Being single comes with perks, and rather than wishing for a relationship, we need to celebrate, explore life and its limits.

While you are enjoying your freedom here is a list of 8 Things single people must do.

1. Stop saying you are going to die single: Okay, maybe you have been single for a few months now, or even a year. Let me put it this way; would you instead go through yet another breakup and a miserable relationship or wait till the right person comes along? Further to my point, when you say such a thing, it portrays desperation. I know it sucks to see all your friends in relationships, but it’s the right thing for us in the long run. Aristotle said it perfectly — “patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet”.
2. Stop equating your happiness with being in a relationship: You finally meet ‘the right’ person, and you start texting each other. All of a sudden, the sun seems a little brighter and the colours more vibrant. There is nothing wrong with wanting a special someone, but why is it that we place every bit of our happiness in other people? Your happiness is your responsibility. I am not going to lie to you and tell you that you are perfect just the way you are, but what I will say to you is that you can take this time and use this to your advantage and work through your issues. Use this time to figure out what truly makes you happy, what do you want out of life, how to enjoy your own company and most importantly learn to love yourself. Self-love is not selfish; you cannot truly love another until you know how to love yourself.
3. Stop talking about your ex on dates: You thought you found the love of your life. You had fun, shared incredible memories and even had hundreds of inside jokes. Sadly, it came to an end. FOUR YEARS AGO!! Nevertheless, I feel your pain, but talking about them all the time is not going to serve you in any way. I get it; you need to talk about them to explain your joke, maybe it’s time to get new jokes. I am not saying you have to magically erase the moments you shared with them. There’s a time and place for everything. Talking about your ex from four years ago on a date, that is nor the time or the place. And let me tell you a secret; your date doesn’t wanna hear it, even if they ask.
4. Focus on your career: Cliche? I think not. A relationship is a commitment, a commitment of time, effort, energy and focus. Last I checked, that was the same requirement for your career. When you’re in a relationship, your time, effort, and energy become divided. Working on your job will make you more satisfied as a person and even make you more confident. If that’s not enough of a reason to make you work harder, let me remind you that there is nothing sexier than a driven individual. Ask your next tinder date.
5. Join a Gym: Honestly, this could have been the first thing I said in this article. And for a good reason. Everyone should go to the gym, but especially if you are single. Thousands of scientific studies conclude that training of any sort makes you feel better about yourself, makes you healthier, more confident and even makes you more attractive. The best part is you don’t even have to be Ronnie Coleman and lift all the weights at the gym. According to a recent study, people who train regularly are significantly more attractive than people who don’t — and being fit has other romantic benefits, you know, the fun kind. 😉
6. Spend more time meeting new people: This is a given even if you are actively looking to get into a relationship. Meet new people every day, talk to the girl at the coffee shop, say hello to the guy at the checkout. Think about it, how often do you talk to people, like actually talk to people? This will not only make you happier but may just make the day of the next person, and that alone is a strong enough reason to talk to new people. Be more curious you may learn a thing or two about people. And maybe, just maybe, you could actually meet the person you have been looking for all this time.
7. Stop mindlessly swiping on tinder: Tinder is great but also kind of not. Right, Right, Right and left. Let me ask you this, are you actually willing to meet up with everyone that you swiped right on? If not, why would you waste your time and not to mention the other person’s? Contrary to that, I would encourage you to be picky and only swipe right on the person that you actually find attractive. Who knows, you may just meet the right person.
8. Learn & Read: You don’t have to be at University or at school to learn. In fact, it is my belief that we should never stop learning. But since that is not enough, let me give you some other reasons. A well-read person is more articulate, they are better equipped to get their point across. You will automatically become more exciting to others. And not to mention, you won’t run out of topics to talk about on your dates. But also, do it for yourself. I challenge you to pick up the book that you thought you never would, read some greek philosophy or learn how to change a tyre. Who knows, the love of your life could be broken down outside your house. And doesn’t know how to change a tyre.

If you have made it this far, I thank you for reading this. Being single isn’t that bad, but I also hope you find the person that loves you dearly, through thick and sick. A relationship is part of your life, perhaps an essential part but as much part as your career, friendships and health. A relationship is an opportunity to share your life with someone, not your reason to live.

I truly hope you got some value out of this little article. If you think that this article would benefit anyone at all, please share.

With Regards, Aneeqe A. Khan

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