It’s become obvious that it’s spring. Not by looking out the window; because just yesterday it looked like a day in January, not April. But I digress. You know that it’s spring because everyone and their dog is getting engaged, getting married, getting knocked up, or getting ready to pop like an over-filled cream puff. Everyone that is, but me. Now don’t worry. This isn’t going to be a down-on-life-woe-is-me post. It’s also not a big fat boo on being married, pregnant, or anything of the sort-well not directly anyway. ;) I’m just merely reminding myself and all my single friends it’s not as bad as sometimes we may think. So-for your enjoyment here’s my list of why it’s great to be single:
I don’t answer to anyone but me-I do what I want when I want. I don’t have to put plans on hold while I find out what my hubby is doing and if it will interfere with what he has going on.
Relationships are disposable-Although I’m not a “serial dater” it’s nice to know I can be if I REALLY want to. Some guy bugs the hell out of me? Kick him to the curb and move on to the next one. That whole “I’m in a committed relationship” thing doesn’t get in the way. I can throw my hands up and walk away at will.
My credit is my own-I’ve worked hard to make my credit almost blemish-free. This is something I’m very proud of. Not many people my age can say their credit is almost perfect. I don’t have to worry about the credit card my husband defaulted on two years out of High School keeping me from being able to buy a car—or a house.
I have free reign to be completely and utterly selfish-If I want to buy that pair of jeans at Aero or the new ipod touch I can get them without worrying who will be going without.
Traveling is so much easier-I go where I want, when I want. If I want to go to Disneyland six times in one year or pick up and go to Washington to visit friends on a whim it’s ok. I don’t have to worry about everyone making arrangements for taking time off work and school, saving for months in advance, and if everyone is having a good time. I also don’t have to worry about looking into alternative modes of transportation because my husband is afraid to fly or my kids can’t handle a road trip. Packing for one is also a whole lot easier than packing for six.
I’m not a 24-hour caretaker-I don’t have to worry about tending to sick children in the middle of the night or helping my husband find his misplaced car keys--again. I'm the only one I have to worry about.
I'm the only one who can humiliate myself-If I'm embarrassed it's because of me and my ineptness-not my husband for making a joke at my expense or my child yelling choice words/phrases at inopportune times.
Saturdays are still for sleeping in-I don’t spend my days running errands and doing yard work or peeling fighting children off one another because they both have to have the toy in the cereal box. If I choose to stay in bed until 11 it’s perfectly fine-I don’t have to worry about fighting crowds at the Grocery Store or waking up to the cereal toy carnage.
My time is my own-If I want to take 17 credit hours, work full time, AND do a show I can. My biggest concern is where to fit sleep into that equation.
I support me-I don’t have to count on someone else to bring home a paycheck. Because of this I choose how, when, and where my money does or doesn’t get spent without consulting with someone else first.
I'm old enough to be a realist-Not a cynic. Because I'm 28 and still single I've had time to experience some of life's highs and lows and learn that not only am I stronger and smarter because of it-I also don't need someone there to hold my hand every step of the way. Because of these trials I can be a better wife and mother because I can relate to my child having their heart broken, or understand my husband's fear of being alone. I feel bad for people who have no life experience to draw on when someone they care for is hurting and in need of help.
And most importantly-when I’m playing with a baby or my nieces and nephews if they misbehave or poo everywhere I get to turn them back over to mom and dad to handle. Not to mention I can load them up with sugar or get them all wound up and then send them home. I get all of the highs and none of the lows.
Although this list may not show it I can’t wait to be married and have a family of my own. This is just a reminder for all me and my single friends how good we actually have it. While I plan on enjoying it while it lasts I’m still eagerly (and somewhat impatiently) looking forward to the next step. :)