There are few things that truly are more annoying than the perpetual stereotypes that stigmatize single women. In true Gloria Steinem fashion, ladies, we need to sit back and realize that singledom is not a one-way ticket to owning 15 poorly-groomed cats. Rather, it is an opportunity to become the strong, kick-ass woman I know you can be.
Before everyone has a hissy fit, this is not to say that women can’t be amazing if they are in a relationship, of course they can. However, it has come to my attention that now, more so than ever before, 20-something women feel as though finding someone to be with is a now-or-never situation.
Let’s address the cliché: it’s okay to be a bachelor, but a bachelorette’s stock decreases by the minute. This nonsense has been around forever, and I’m not in the business of swaying people away from their foolish opinions. I’m here to tell you that being a bachelorette isn’t this generation’s form of the bubonic plague; you should be embracing it, not crying over it.
Ladies, below are the reasons it’s really okay to be single:
You’re Still Young
Thanks to society and Jewish mothers (calm down, I’m Jewish too) many women have a preconceived notion that if they’re still single at a certain age, they’re damaged goods. Chin up doll, Halle Berry just got pregnant at the ripe age of 46. Age is nothing but a number; embrace it. Being a young bachelorette is a blessing, not a curse. You get to try new things, meet new people and focus on your career. Most importantly, you get to figure out who the hell you are and what it is you want.
Women Are Equally Business Savvy
Unless you have been living under a rock, you may have been subjected to water cooler chitchat surrounding Sheryl Sandberg’s new book "Lean In." As Chief Operating Officer of the tiny organization known as Facebook, Sheryl offers women everywhere the inspiration they need to achieve their goals. From reading the back cover alone, I can personally tell you this book in not a new-aged revelation; it’s more so a reminder that you can, and should seize every opportunity that comes your way.
Women today have been allotted opportunities that previous generations never were. The best advice I can give is that not only should you strive to reach the top, but you have the capabilities to do so. Never look to be the woman on the arm of a successful man, be your own successful woman and eventually, have someone to share that with. This, my darling, is known as an eligible bachelorette.
Your Time Is Your Own
Time is a luxury that few coupled women can afford themselves. You, on the other hand, have the freedom to manage your time anyway you please. Have you ever tried to coordinate a girls’ night out with a bunch of coupled women? Mission impossible.
You have the leisure to come and go as you please. Best part? There is no need to consult with your counterpart as you do so. Bachelors pride themselves on having the freedom to come and go as they please. So should you. One of the biggest perks of time is having the ability to travel on a whim. Take full advantage.
Know Thyself
Many moons ago, I was flipping through channels trying to find something to watch and landed on "The Oprah Show" (obviously). For the brief minute that I had it on, she said something that has resonated with me to this day, and can hopefully do the same for you:
“Never look for someone to complete you. Be complete on your own. Then when you find someone to share your life with, they don’t become your whole world, they just make yours a little better,”
Oprah’s good, right? I know. So, as I mentioned before, knowing who you are is the most important asset you can have going into any relationship. So, being single gives you a chance to discover what truly makes you happy.
Don’t You Dare Settle
The mistake I see many women making is settling for whatever comes their way. Why in the hell would you do that? Do you ever see single men selling themselves short? Being single is by no means an excuse to let go of what you really want just to be with someone.
Take the time to date around and narrow down your list to find a man who truly deserves you. If you settle, at the end of the day you’ll be with someone, but you’ll also be miserable. Worth it? Definitely not.
The Generic Nonsense
Some other perks of being a single woman (that I am not going into full detail in): You get to sleep with whomever you want, you get to date around and figure out that you do not actually want to be with the struggling musician, and you get to live your life on your terms.
Final Thoughts: Statistically, single people tend to see nothing but happy couples; couples tend to see nothing but happy singles. Take that for what you will.
Photo Source - Tumblr
Gayana Sark | Elite. @Gayana_Sark
