For some people, being single at this stage in life is the best thing ever.  For others, it’s the worst.  For me, it’s neither.  In maturing, I have grown to love the time I spend with myself and cherish the moments alone.  As we approach the Valentine’s holiday when chocolate and love  and sappy spirits will be infused in the air, I’d like to offer  some words of encouragement to those twenty-something’s living the single life: It’s okay.

            It’s okay to be single. Your loving friends and family who honestly just want the best for you may try to convince you of otherwise, but seriously, it is okay.  There are a lot of perks to being single.  I only have to buy food for myself, I actually get to sleep a decent time instead of staying up to the wee hours on the phone, and of course, I can pick and go wherever I want when I want.  Best of all, I have learned more about myself in the last four years—more than I could have in a serious relationship.

            There is just something so empowering about taking yourself out to eat or going on a solo trip simply because you don’t need anyone else to have fun.  I know a lot of people, single and taken, who struggle in this area.  They feel that it would be “weird” or “lonely” to go out in public spaces such a restaurant or movie theater alone.  My first time out to eat alone, I felt absolutely awkward, but now it’s like second nature to me.  Don’t get the idea that I have no friends.  While only a few, I definitely have friends.  I just don’t spend every free moment with them.

To be clear, I’m not bashing relationships by any means.  One day in the future, I certainly expect myself to be in a great relationship.  My message here is that it is okay if you are single, and don’t let anyone tell you anything different.  As we approach this Valentine’s season and continue through this semester, I encourage all the singles out there to tap into the things that make you happy and do them. If you want some chocolate, get some chocolate! Remember, just because you are alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely, so cheers to the twenty-something’s happily living the single life!