I won’t deny that being in a relationship with someone and doing things with that person is great. Simple things like shopping for groceries and doing the laundry can go from boring to romantic just because that person is there with you and they make everything better. But what happens when that person isn’t in your life anymore, and it’s just you again? Does it mean you’re doomed to never enjoy anything ever again? Of course, not! It just means that you have to re-learn how to enjoy doing things on your own. Here’s a list of nine things that are actually more fun when you’re single:
Shopping
Yes, a million times yes. There’s simply nothing quite like taking a few hours of the weekend to go downtown or to your favorite mall and browse to your heart’s content. It doesn’t matter if you’re too broke to buy anything, or if you’re not even looking for something in particular: retail therapy is real, and just looking at everything you could buy can be fun. Because of this, taking someone with you on your shopping adventure can ruin the experience. The moment they get tired and want to go home and start telling you to hurry up, you’ll miss the times it was just you.
Traveling
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to travel somewhere by yourself, you know what I’m talking about. Traveling as a couple is a great experience that (usually) brings you closer together and creates beautiful memories, but traveling on your own is really something else. Being alone in a different part of the world makes everything more exciting and intense: you learn more, make new friends all the time, and do only what you really want to do. No matter how cliché it sounds, it teaches you about yourself and helps you grow as a person.
Reading
Those cute photos on social media with the “relationship goals” tag are wrong about many things, and one of them is that reading together is better than reading on your own. Reading is about losing yourself in the world of your book, wearing something cozy, getting comfortable, and having your favorite snack and/or drink within easy reach. It is not about getting interrupted by someone who isn’t as into their book as you are or who suddenly feels like having a conversation about a deep topic. The little free time you have during the week to read is sacred, and the best way to make the most of it is to do it on your own.
Cooking
It’s Saturday morning, and you’re making yourself some breakfast. You know exactly what you want and how you like it, so you get everything you need and start preparing it. You play the music you like, you do everything your way and at your own pace, and you don’t have to share the space with anyone, or make sure they’re not burning, ruining, or over-salting anything. That is the definition of peace and the perfect recipe for a great meal you’ll love.
Going out
Whether you’re going out by yourself hoping to meet new people or you’re going with friends who are just as determined as you to have a good time, going out when you’re single can be awesome. If you take a minute to look back and remember the best nights out of your life, you’ll realize that it didn’t involve a date or an S.O. And the reason is that when you go out as a single person, you’re more open to things, and your number one priority is having fun, not worrying about whether or not your partner is having fun, or if they want to go home.
Museums
Maybe this is just me, but going to a museum by yourself is so, so much better than going with someone else. When you go to a museum by yourself, you can take the time to read every little card or description you want, to really look at every image and object, and stay as long as you want in each room. The entire experience of your visit is all about you, your interests, and what you want to see.
Your favorite hobby
No matter how common (baking, hiking, gaming) or unusual your hobby is (taxidermy, LARP, stamp collecting), it’s usually more fun to do when you’re single because you have complete freedom to spend as much time and energy on it as you wish. Sure, if you’re with someone who shares the same interest, it can be really fun to do it with them, but your favorite hobby is a very personal thing, and it’s the kind of thing that can have more meaning when you do it alone.
Binge-watching a series
You might think that one of the best parts of being in a relationship is watching shows together, spending hours in bed or on the couch, and enjoying every development together. However, over time, I’ve realized that watching a series by myself, and especially binge-watching one, can be just as fun. It’s a great way to get some “me” time and become captivated by a story all by yourself. Even if it’s a super popular series that everyone knows about, it can be your little secret.
Working out
It’s been scientifically proven that people who are single tend to eat healthier and work out more than people in relationships. Why? Because you have more time. It’s as simple as that. When you’re single, you have more free time to spend however you want to spend it, and working out is a great option. Sure, some people say that they like working out with their partners because it motivates them, but do you really want someone there with you when you’re sweaty and exhausted after a grueling workout? I’ll pass.
Being in a relationship doesn’t mean you can’t ever be alone or do things by yourself anymore, but it certainly happens less often than when you’re single. So, why not make the most of this time of ultimate freedom?