positive single people

Not to toot my own horn, but I think I give excellent dating advice. However, if you were to ask me for my dating credentials, I would hand you a blank piece of paper.

For some, being serially single is not a choice. But for me, it’s a lifestyle.

I have been single for all of my adult life, and I thoroughly enjoy the independence and solitude—which I know freaks people out. While some single people date, I do not.

So how does this make me—and other serially single people—expert at giving dating advice?

Let me let you in on a few secrets of the trade.

The first secret is not actually a secret but a well-known fact: Almost all forms of content are about love.

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Even content that exists outside of traditional romance genres usually includes love and sex. For example, that action movie you just watched, was there a romantic arc in it?

Exactly.

Most movies, television shows, and books have provided blueprints for all kinds of relationships. A lot of these blueprints have helped me understand what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like.

I’ve also read more than a fair share of fanfiction. Honestly, when you asked for my dating credentials, I could have sent you the link to AO3 and, if you’ve ever read any fanfiction, you’d have immediately understood why this gives me so much credible dating insight.

Even being someone who grew up alongside the Internet has made many of us mini experts on random topics. Most of us didn’t necessarily seek this information out; it just appeared on our Tumblr, Twitter, or Instagram feeds.

Here’s the real secret: All relationships are the same.

Whether platonic or romantic, open or closed, monogamous or polyamorous, all relationships are made of the same ingredients. The dictionary definition of relationship describes the connection between people. And we all have experience with that. I may not date, but I do have lots of friends.

Some of my friendships have failed while others have thrived. This has helped me gain insight on communication, boundaries, and respect—insight that applies to both platonic and romantic relationships.

I’ve also watched most of my loved ones experience all kinds of different relationships. As you can imagine, being single gives those of us who are serially single plenty of free time to observe other people’s relationships—and, if you’re a Virgo like me, judge these relationships in order to perfect the advice we give to those who may (or may not) ask.

Just because your single friends haven’t dated anyone—casually, seriously, or at all—doesn’t mean we’re not familiar with the territory. All of our observations add to our dating advice credentials.

In fact, we’re kind of like therapists.

Because we’re removed from romantic situations, we have clarity uncolored by personal bias and experiences.

Most importantly, your serially single friends arguably have the most experience with prioritizing themselves and their needs. This makes us adept at keeping your best interests top of mind if you come to us for romantic advice.

We want you to be yourself and to love who you are. We will encourage you to take the time to learn more about your wants, needs, and goals before diving further into romance.

The best advice I can give as a serially single person is to try out being single. Being single has a lot of perks, the top of which is that it can give you the time, space, and energy to explore you who are.

I’m not saying everyone should be single. I’m just saying don’t knock it till you try it.

And, don’t worry. I promise I won’t say “I told you so” when you realize being single helped you become a better romantic partner.

Happy dating!

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I won’t kid you or kid myself. We all want to be in a relationship. It’s how we’re built and it’s the basic human instinct for companionship that makes us crave romance when we don’t have it. But, sometimes your state of melancholic singleness clouds your vision, and before you know it, you turn into an ungrateful person who dwells on what they are lacking and has no appreciation for the precious gift they’ve been given – the gift of freedom.

If you find yourself down to your knees in that cloudy mist of “bluuurgh”, this is when you need to woman up and do a few things. One, recall the time you craved freedom during a past failed relationship. Two, recall the rules of the relationship game – commitment, prioritizing the partner, and compromise, compromise, compromise. Three, remember that there are millions of people in relationships out there who feel lonely and trapped, and would definitely love to be in your shoes. Four, internalize the fact that your singleness at this very moment in time is a golden opportunity and an exhaustible resource of which you need to take mad advantage. Feel positive that it will not last forever, and that you’ll soon meet who your heart desires. But, for the time being, you are absolutely meant to get out into the world and kick some serious ass.

[bctt tweet=”You are meant to get out there & kick some serious ass.” username=”wearethetempest”]

Below, I list seven things you can do as a single lady in the 21^st century who literally has the world at her fingertips, the sky as her limit and every right to let her curiosity reign.

1. Trek Nicaragua on your own

While you can, explore the world on your own. Watch for Nicaraguan sharks, the only freshwater lake sharks in the world. Plan a 10-day Game of Thrones itinerary, or go trekking across The Land of the Thunder Dragon. You have the freedom to do whatever you want really. There is so much to look at in this big world of ours other than the dreamy eyes of your significant other.

[bctt tweet=”There’s so much more to look at than the eyes of your significant other.” username=”wearethetempest”]

Not into adventurous destinations? No probs! Visit Spain and bask in the sun and serenity of the relaxing Spanish countryside.

Don’t have the funds to go to Nicaragua? Also not a problem – you can easily google “Top Instagrammable Spots” in your hometown and plan a few day trips out of that. Or take mini stay-cations using a few local Air-BnB’s! Take the time to appreciate that farmer’s market you always admired from afar, or finally sign up for that tae-kwon-do class you’ve been meaning to take.

2. Download the Meetup App

Instead of day dreaming about how things could be better with someone to lean on, start creating opportunities to discover your strengths and meet people with whom you can collaborate. Meetup is a good place to start. In there, you’ll find endless choices of activities that you’ve heard of and never heard of, with real life communities who meet up on a regular basis to share their interests . You’re bound to find lots of stuff that interests you, and it would be such a rewarding experience if you set your heart on a thing or two that are completely out of your comfort zone. The choices are endless and you will be amazed at the number of learning and sharing opportunities you can run into.

[bctt tweet=”The choices are endless.” username=”wearethetempest”]

If you’re not the type to meet total strangers in groups, you can use the help of this other totally platonic one-on-one meeting app called Peoplehunt. It enables you to meet, either virtually or in real life, with people of reciprocal and shared interests.

3. Get that hidden rainbow hair

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAg0xjYH0DF/

You should be able to do this when you’re with the right person. But, since you’re single, you don’t have to ask anyone’s opinion or worry about a thing. There are tons of ideas for that hidden rainbow styles you can find on Pinterest. So get creative and enjoy that crazy, spontaneous hair makeover for once in your life.

[bctt tweet=”You don’t have to ask anyone’s opinion or worry about a thing.” username=”wearethetempest”]

If you are more of a “proper” person and feel appalled at the idea of full-on rainbow hair, you can go with one solid color, like deep purple. Still too bold? Then get a quirky new haircut for the hell of it, because this is most probably the only time you can do that without having to be accountable to someone else.

4. Walk on air

This has nothing to do with Katy Perry or Kerli’s takes on the idea, but has everything to do with investing in your own enjoyment in the most pointless manner. Do everything that gives you this feeling of euphoria and sheer pleasure even it is of no long term benefit. Don’t worry, no one is going to ask you why you want to do it, because you’ve only got yourself to please.

[bctt tweet=”Do everything that gives you this feeling of euphoria.” username=”wearethetempest”]

Learn to air walk. Go Indoor Skydiving, or outdoor if you wish. Whatever does it for you, just enjoy the fresh emptiness and airiness of your single life, and be a glorious airhead and riiiise.

Or keep to the ground, enjoy the breeze and try Kate Spade’s instant lift of a perfume.

5. Heck, learn Japanese!

Because it looks impossible, and its characters seem frighteningly unfamiliar. But you can discover that they really aren’t, and you will be surprised at how much new stuff your brain can accommodate. Push yourself to learn things you think are too difficult to get, because you will discover that there is no such thing and if they can do it, you can do it.

Not into Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji? Then touch up on your French, German, Spanish, or any other language you learned back in high school.

6. Take up Tai Chi

With Tai Chi, you get the fighting and meditative benefits all in one package. You could use a few self-defense techniques as a strong independent woman and benefit your mind and soul at the same time. Tai Chi is cool, girl.

And if you’re not the full-on martial arts kind of girl, take up those Body Combat and TRX classes at the Gym. They’re cool too.

7. Think Big

As you already know, the sky is your limit. You can let your dreams stop at a career or you can top that. Start your own business. Start a new political movement. Eradicate poverty. I don’t know, but I know you’ve got so much in you if you set your heart and mind to it. And I know there are plenty of ways you can follow to do something fantastic.

[bctt tweet=”Dear single independent lady, take in a deep breath right now. ” username=”wearethetempest”]

So, you can start a business of trekking the rain forests in Nicaragua and be the badass girl with rainbows in her hair and offer guided site-seeing tours for Japanese trekkers. Or you can explore life in whatever way your heart pleases, knowing that we live in an open world of possibilities that are all at your service.

Remember that relationships are not life, but just 1 of an infinite number of shots we have at life. Life is on your side just waiting for you to venture in. And stay positive that good relationships that allow you personal space and freedom to do some of the things you want do exist. So until the inevitable happens and you get involved in the relationship you want, stop missing out on life, and start using that precious situation you’ve been given to your advantage, tapping into all that potential left unexplored.