Meet our singles Suzanne (25) and Denise (29)

Having the freedom to do what you like. That’s the best part of being single according to this website’s Content Marketeer Suzanne (25) and Online Marketeer Denise (29). Both have been in a long-term relationship, but found their happiness in being single. “All the benefits, without the burdens!” says Suzanne. Still, apart from enjoying the freedom, they both also feel the pressure from society; it’s expected of you that you find a partner sooner or later. In order to shine a positive light on the situation, here is an ode to the single life. What is it that makes being single so much fun?

‘I would have no trouble growing old as a single person’

Suzanne has been enjoying life as a happy single for a while now: “I have been single since August of last year. After 2.5 years, I increasingly felt less emotionally connected to my boyfriend. I also missed the fun of being single, the freedom.” When their relationship hadn’t been going well for a while, she developed a passionate connection to a male colleague. “I fell for his humour and during Friday night drinks at the office, it all came out. Alcohol was involved and at the end of the night, I cheated on my boyfriend.” Suzanne told her boyfriend a day later. The result? End of relationship. She regrets how it happens, but it also felt like a complete liberation: “Since that moment, I love not having to answer to anyone but myself and going my own way. All the benefits, none of the burdens!” However, being single is not always great: “Sometimes you miss someone to talk to when you get home from work. Now I just tell everything to my cat.” She has to think about the question whether or not she wants to stay single for the rest of her life: “I would have no trouble growing old as a single person, but I do want to have children, so that makes it difficult.” She’s not actively searching for a partner: “But if I do meet someone, I’m open to it. For now, I perfectly fine on my own. I’m happy with myself and my group of friends. Being single is great.”

‘I have grown closer to my friends’

29-year-old Denise had been in a long-term relationship since she was 16. Everything went smoothly until she suddenly decided to go on on her own: “I felt like I couldn’t be myself anymore. I didn’t feel free enough anymore.” Apart from that, a serious personal situation made her re-think her life: “At that moment, I asked myself if this was it. I want to get everything out of life, but I felt that this wasn’t possible with him. The goal in life isn’t being together.”

“At some point I wondered: is this it?”

From the first day as a single person (the day after Valentine’s Day), it felt good: “I love being single again. There’s more room for me to work on myself. I truly listen to my feelings and my body now. During my relationship, I let expectations and obligations decide that freedom.” Does Denise miss something about being in a relationship? “Not yet, no. Of course it’s always great having someone beside you that you can share everything with, but now that I’m single, I share everything with my friends. That made our friendship much stronger.” The pressure from society to not be single is very much present in her surroudings: “When we broke up, our parents asked why we wouldn’t go see a relationship therapist. Even now, if I go out with the same person a couple of times, my friends ask when they’re going to meet him. Those things really show that society expects you to find a partner sooner or later.”

The secret of leading a happy single life

So is there a secret to leading a happy life as a single person? It looks like there is. At least, according to Suzanne and Denise. Both indicate that being happy with yourself is the most important thing. They also truly value their group of friends and their freedom. “You shouldn’t let your happiness depend on someone else. Listen to what you want and feel”, Denise argues.

“Being happy with yourself is the most important thing as a single person.”

If she ever wants to be in a relationship again? Denise never says never: “I’m not looking for it. You shouldn’t force it on yourself. Then you miss other great opportunities. However, I am open to it.” To Suzanne, the idea of growing old with someone is terrifying. Only her wish to have children some day says something different. For now, both colleagues are happy singles and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, being single has many advantages.

Also read: Celebrate! Embrace the single life