Being single is often associated with loneliness, but it does not have to have to be lonely. There is no need to gorge on ice cream or lounge in sweats all day. Make your singleness a highlight of your life, not the downfall. This month, we challenge you to take steps towards a journey of self-love and to discover the beauty of dating yourself. There is a certain beauty and strength in knowing that you can be alone without being lonely.
You know what you want, and because it is what you want, it it is also what you owe yourself. If you are willing to date yourself, when that special someone comes along, they will get to enjoy the journey with you. And if that special someone doesn’t come along, you will learn that you don’t need another person to know love.
Stop Looking
When we aren’t dating or in a relationship, we feel the pressure to be looking for “the one.” This isn’t good for anyone. It is nice to have a significant other, but not necessary. Take a break from Tinder and Match.com and really allow yourself to appreciate this stage of your life. Have faith that a good person will come along when you are in a place to share your life.
Focus on Your Friends and Family
When you are single, you have more time to give undivided attention to your loved ones. Now is the time to spend with your family or go out with your friends. Grab drinks with your coworkers and friends. Invest time in these people. While no romantic relationships may come of this, it will feel good to remember that romantic love isn’t the only kind of love that satisfies.
Try New Things
The best way to meet new people is to do things and go places you’ve never been. Are you curious about Crossfit or have you always wanted to try a painting class? Find a local gym or studio and do it! You never know who you will meet when you step out of your comfort zone. You may, also, find that you will fall in love with something you never imagined yourself doing.
Treat Yourself
Surely, there is a restaurant you have been meaning to try. Go try it. You don’t need to wait for someone else to take you. Get dressed up for yourself, and go. You can eat an appetizer, entrée and dessert without having to worry what the person across the table will think. In this alone time, there is no judgment.
Plan Your Dream Date
Go ahead write it down—what do you wish someone else would do for you? We all have that date we wish someone would plan for us. Why haven’t you gone on it? Probably because you have been sitting around hoping that someone might read your mind or know you well enough to know this about you. Forget them and take yourself. Do you dream of spending all day wandering a city or museum or hiking up a waterfall? Find those places, write those dream dates down and cross them off the list. You deserve to be taken on your dream date, even if you have to take yourself.
