Paired Up
It seems to me that everywhere I turn, my friends have paired up – not with each other, but with someone. Everyone is in couplehood. Many are in parenthood. I, however, remain the steadfast single gal. Whether this is by choice or circumstance is a befuddling enough question to support my therapist’s compulsive shopping habit for years, I’m sure. All I know is, I haven’t found the guy for whom I want to sacrifice the joys of singlehood.
I realize I’ve just broken the rules by which our society flourishes with the above statement. After all, marketers have spent millions brainwashing teaching us that happiness is only achievable after a platinum-set, non-conflict diamond and thousands of dollars worth of napkins, flower arrangements and paper products have been ordered (except if you’re gay, of course, in which case you have no right to happiness unless you live in some Hell-baiting place like Massachusetts or Ohio).
Here’s the little secret I’ll share with you, though. Regardless of your gender, sexual preference or age, there are some fantastic perks to being single.
- No one else’s dirty dishes get left in the sink.
- No one steals your pillow or confronts you first thing in the morning with 5-alarm breath.
- The toilet seat is always exactly as you leave it.
- You can spontaneously visit a friend, see a movie or travel to another country without consultation.
- You can experience the titillating pleasure of starting to fall in love all over again.
Okay. Sometimes, being single can be a pain in the ass. How I decide to feel about it, however, is a choice.
I don’t want to only appreciate my life in hindsight. Or have regrets. I’ll enjoy this moment, and this circumstance, while I have it. At some point, I’ll wake up and realized I’ve paired. It usually works that way. And I’ll enjoy that too.
You?
nat @ book, line, and sinker
/ April 19, 2009well, even though i’ve been part of a ‘couple’ since 1992…my hubby and i enjoy time apart. i was away for over a week without him–and we both like our ‘alone’ time. he takes a class on monday nights and stays in nyc, so i’m a single gal on mondays–and i love it. my two closest friends are single.
i know what you mean about seeing everyone doing something–all of my married friends (and sister, cousins, etc) all have kids or are pregnant, while we are kid-free by choice.
there’s nothing wrong with having kids, not having kids, being married, being single…it’s all in how you look at it–there are pros and cons to every situation. i like your attitude about single life!
nat @ book, line, and sinker’s last blog post..Review (and Giveaway!): Perfect Fifths
verybadcat
/ April 19, 2009There’s pleasure in pairing, no doubt. Sometimes, though we paired peeps like a little singlehood, too.
verybadcat’s last blog post..End of the Innocence- Part One
molly
/ April 19, 2009oh yes, i’m always teetering back and forth between my happiness and loneliness. i, too, believe it is a choice, but some days are harder or easier than others, whichever way you look at it. but i guess that’s true with or without someone anyways, no?
molly’s last blog post..slacker sunday.
emmajames
/ April 19, 2009Nat: And I really appreciate your attitude about married life! The dynamic you have with your husband is the kind I wish to find. Just haven’t done so yet.
VBCat: Hmm, so I’ve heard.
Molly: I completely agree. And you are right, nothing is ever perfect. The key is to let that be okay, I think.
catherine
/ April 20, 2009I wish I was Zen about being single. I’m not. I just get too damn horny sometimes. LOL.
lacochran
/ April 20, 2009Go for what you want. At any given time.
I hate to quote Reagan but it’s the one thing he said I do agree with: No apologies. No regrets.
And thanks for continuing to bring and focus on beauty in the world. You make a difference.
lacochran’s last blog post.."Don’t stand so close to me" –The Police
Kat
/ April 22, 2009There’s nothing wrong with enjoying single life. I loved living with my roommate and I loved living alone. And yes, when you live alone it’s great knowing that you’re the ONLY one responsible for any of the messes. Joy…appreciate it I tell ya.
Kat’s last blog post..Protected: Lifetime TV Post
JustJP
/ April 27, 2009“You can spontaneously visit a friend, see a movie or travel to another country without consultation.”
If we were paired up this would go for the both of us. Don’t have frequent flyer miles for nothing.
JustJP’s last blog post..Not so royal
emmajames
/ May 10, 2009Catherine: Oh, chica, I completely understand the horny thing. And sometimes, toys just don’t hit the spot.
Lacochran: This will most likely be the one and only time that I agree with Reagan. Wow.
Kat: Will do!
JP: You. Are. On.