Survive Without a Girlfriend or Boyfriend

Are you one of those people who believes you cannot survive without a girlfriend or boyfriend? Maybe you have been couples up since your preteen years and have recently endured a breakup. Or, maybe you have never been in a serious relationship and worry what this means. The jury's out and the verdict is in: being single can be wonderful. Learn how to make the most out of your unattached relationship status.

Steps

Having Fun

  1. Pursue hobbies. All people - single and not - need creative outlets to minimize stress, generate happy vibes, and connect with those around you. Relationships can become a detriment when people are so immersed in "we" that they forget about the "I". Relish in your singlehood by taking time out to do the things you enjoy whether it is crafting, canoeing, or writing poems.[1]
  2. Attend cultural events in your area. Who says being single means missing out on fun? Get out of the house and take advantage of the events offered in your local community or the surrounding cities. Tour a museum you've never been to. Make plans with your best buds to attend an upcoming concert or music festival.
    • Going to the ballet, opera, or art gallery is actually good for you! Research shows a connection between attending cultural activities and better self-reports of overall health.[2]
  3. Learn to enjoy solitude. If you have been in a relationship for many years, you may not remember how to be alone. You may even hate being alone. Yes, spending time with others is important, but solitude is an essential aspect of personal growth. Read, watch movies, or simply sit on your patio and enjoy the setting sun.
    • Take 5-10 minutes out of each day to sit alone and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the day. If the process of being alone makes you uncomfortable, write about the experience. Why is it hard for you? What exactly about being alone don't you like?[3]
  4. Appreciate the benefits of being single. Challenge the idea that single is "bad". Not having a significant other is a choice just the same as where you live or work. You can fully enjoy your single life - whether it is decidedly temporary or permanent. Here are a few things single people have to their advantage:[4]
    • The ability to pursue passions and interests
    • The ability to be totally spontaneous - no need to coordinate with another
    • The option to figure out what you want before entering another relationship
    • The freedom to Live on Your Own Terms
    • The ability to casually date, if you want

Fighting Loneliness

  1. Cultivate supportive relationships. You may not have a girlfriend or boyfriend, but you can always enrich the friendships and close family relationships you have. Especially when you're young, romantic relationships may come and go. Friends and family, on the other hand, may stick with you for life.
    • You don't necessarily need a relationship to be happy. Humans do, however, have a natural need to belong and connect. Invest time and effort in your close relationships. If or when you do enter a new romantic relationship, you will have a healthier outlook and expectations if you have nurtured your preexisting relationships.[5]
  2. Get a furry companion. If you are single and live alone, the solitude may be overwhelming. Aim for a careful balance of spending time alone and spending time with others so you don't drive yourself stir crazy. Sciences tells us that those who are isolated, particularly older adults, have a higher incidence of death.[6]
    • A soft and cuddly cat or dog may make a great companion to cozy up to at night while watching Netflix. Plus, pet owners tend to be healthier and happier.[7]
  3. Recognize that only you can determine your worthiness. Not having a partner does not mean you don't belong or are unlovable. Oftentimes, people mistakenly allow their relationship status to determine their self-worth. Thinking "I'm nothing without a boyfriend" will only reinforce the idea that somehow you are not as worthy while single. Avoid this by purposely seeking out ways you are worthy of love, respect, and a wonderful life.
    • Take an inventory of your personal strengths. What do you have to offer the world and the people around you? Write down your best qualities and paste them on a mirror or wall so that you can see them daily.[8]
    • Do you find it difficult to assess your best attributes? Turn to a close friend or relative ans ask them to share a few qualities they admire about you.
  4. Don't feel the need to be attached because your friends are. When you are the only single and everyone around you is coupled, you can easily start to think being in a relationship is the way to go. Don't. Romantic relationships take a lot of hard work, compromise, and commitment. They are far from easy. If you're not ready to be paired off, don't let jealousy or fear push you into a relationship just to avoid sticking out.[9]
  5. Expand your social circle. If all of your friends are currently in relationships, and you're tired of being the third-wheel, it may be a good idea for you to hang out with others who are single. This is not to say that you should abandon your existing friendships. However, you may have more fun spending time with teens or young adults who are participating in solo activities.[10]
    • Try striking up conversations with other guys or girls in your classes or at your jobs. When people occasionally invite you to events that you and your group wouldn't normally attend, say "yes". Spending time with more singles may help you to realize just how wonderful being unattached can be.

Practicing Self-Love

  1. Date yourself. The typical dating process gives you the chance to get to know the other person's personality traits, likes, dislikes, dreams, and opinions. Becoming acquainted with one another helps establish that romantic bond. Date yourself with the goal to get to know yourself better and begin a journey of self-fulfillment that does not rely on the presence of another.[11]
    • Ways to date yourself might include trying new restaurants, going to the movies alone, taking a class solo, traveling on your own, and buying yourself little gifts or flowers. Doing this reinforces the idea that you must love yourself first to effectively love someone else.
  2. Fight stress.[12][13] It is common for people in relationships to get caught up in serving their partners that they may neglect their own well-being. This neglect feels ten times worse once the relationship ends. Surviving and thriving as a single person means taking good care of yourself. Identify the things in your life causing you stress and build a toolbox with healthy coping strategies.
    • Practice regular self-care to fend of stress before it jeopardizes your health. Come up with a few activities that you find relaxing to perform on a daily or weekly basis. Calling a friend, getting a massage, taking long walks, and reading are all positive ways to manage stress.
  3. Stay active. This advice is not intended to help you lose weight for revenge against an ex or to pick up your next boyfriend or girlfriend. Getting regular physical exercise is a necessary component for optimal physical and mental well-being. Plus, you feel better, form connections with others, and boost your self-confidence when you work out.
    • Develop a routine that includes at least five 30-minute sessions of aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling, or dancing, in addition to a minimum of 2 sessions of strength training exercises per week for optimal health.[14]
  4. Eat well. Just as you should get your body moving to care for yourself, you must also be mindful of the fuel you are giving it. Fuel your body with a balanced selection of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Consume between 3 and 5 meals per day.[15]
  5. Sleep plenty. The practice of self-love also extends to getting yourself to bed at a decent hour so that you can clock between 7 and 9 hours of shut-eye each night.
    • It's understandable if your single person's social calendar is full and you are developing the habit of staying out late and sleeping in. However, you should know that adequate sleep is significant for attention and concentration, memory, mood, and weight. Get yourself to bed around the same time each night and rise at the same time each morning for best results.[16]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/hobbies-are-good-for-you-how-find-one-that-fits-your-personality.html
  2. ↑ http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-7-226
  3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/having-sex-wanting-intimacy/201311/when-you-cant-stand-being-alone-yourself
  4. ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_reasons_to_stay_single
  5. ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/cultivating-happiness.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/warning-living-alone-may-be-hazardous-to-your-health-8795790/?no-ist
  7. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/
  8. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/building-self-esteem/
  9. ↑ http://www.teenvogue.com/story/being-single
  10. ↑ http://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/about-you/singled-out-when-youre-the-only-one-not-in-a-relationship/#.VrESLdIrLcc
  11. ↑ http://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/dating/5-reasons-to-date-yourself/#.VqmazeY28pU
  12. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/features/handlingstress/
  13. ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
  14. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
  15. ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/healthy-eating.htm
  16. ↑ http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep

You may like

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Survive_Without_a_Girlfriend_or_Boyfriend&oldid=290495"