The Joys of Being Single

By

IPP Ralph Baniqued

Rotaract Club of Manila Bay DRAR Marj Madrigal

Rotaract Club of De La Salle University

The season of love is here again...for some. For us lone bachelors and bachelorettes, it might just be an obnoxious time of the year that we would purposely ignore. As Instagram starts to flood with couple photos, we tend to overlook the good aspects of our singlehood and miss the time when we should be embracing and appreciating it instead. No need to sulk as the time for “Single Awareness Month” fast approaches. Here are some benefits of being single that you can start celebrating:

Less expenses. The only Valentine’s gift you need to give is to yourself. Going on dates can get uber expensive but luckily, it’s something we can cross out from our plans. If you’ve been eyeing for that new phone or that shiny PS5, then being single definitely gives you the opportunity to earn some dough.

More time for self-care. Who said you only have to see other people? Being single means you’ve got all the time in the world to date yourself. Take a long relaxing bath, light some candles, and switch on your favorite show to have a fulfilling destress session. Having no commitments means you are your top priority so take this time of freedom to love you.

More time for friends and family. Happiness doesn't necessarily depend on solitary status. Truth be told, most of those who are single tend to have stronger relationships with their friends and family. Yes, having a good relationship with family and friends, and a sound relationship with a romantic partner are not mutually exclusive but you can’t deny that one tends to be prioritized over the other at times. It’s important to have strong social connections whether you are single or not but there’s no doubt that when you’re single you are able to spend more time deepening the platonic relationships that you find most valuable.

Self-discovery. At the end of the day, one of your most important relationships is with yourself. Being single can give you a valuable opportunity to explore your passions, work on your career and discover your likes and dislikes. Respectively, if you are able to build the foundations of your individuality, you are less likely to drop the ball once you decide to jump on a romantic relationship. ‘Hahanapin ko lang ang sarili ko’ won’t even be an available excuse for you. You know what you want, you know what you need. Your worth is indispensable and you are more likely to earnestly assert it in the future.