6 Ways to Feel Better About Being Single

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChange Your PerspectiveWork on Your GoalsStop ComparingInvest in Other RelationshipsFocus on the BenefitsMeet New People

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Change Your Perspective

Work on Your Goals

Stop Comparing

Invest in Other Relationships

Focus on the Benefits

Meet New People

Sometimes being single can feel freeing or even empowering. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want without having to worry about what your partner is doing. But there are also times when being unattached can belonelyand frustrating.

Even if you are struggling with feelings of isolation and longing for a partner—or at least some romantic prospects—there are things that you can do to help feel better about being single.

How to Make Yourself Feel Better Mentally

FInding ways to overcomelonelinessand feel better about your single status isn’t just important for your state of mind; it’s also important for your health. Feelings of loneliness, including romantic loneliness, can have a serious impact on health and well-being.

Feeling isolated, unsupported, and lonely is linked to decreased immunity, worse sleep, lower cardiovascular health, and increased mental health problems.

Your perspective on your relationship status can play an important role in how you feel about being single. One study found that people who viewed themselves and being voluntarily single were less likely to report feelings of romantic loneliness. People who felt that being unpartnered was involuntary, however, were more likely to feel emotionally lonely.

Other factors can also influence your perceptions of why you are single, including sex and age. For example:

Consider finding ways toreframe your perspective. Rather than focusing on the downsides of being single, focus on the aspects that you do enjoy or the freedom that it brings.

Things you might try include:

It can be anything—the goal is to stretch yourself and work on learning new things about who you are right now and who you want to be in the future. Not only can this help you develop a sense of satisfaction with your life as a single person, but it can also help youget to know yourselfa bit more so you are better able to see what you want in a life partner.

How to Be a Better Person

If you’re feeling down about being single, it can be tough to see your friends and family moving forward in their relationships. But it’s important toavoid comparing yourself to others, whether they are your family members, close friends, or online acquaintances.

The reality is that you can never know all of the details of another person’s life or relationship. What looks like a perfect, fulfilling relationship in a social media post might look a lot different in real life.

And just because someone else’s relationship is perfect for them, that doesn’t mean that it is something that you necessarily want. Instead of engaging in comparisons that leave you feeling like you don’t measure up, focus on findinghappinessin your own life and accomplishments.

It’s also important to remember that your relationships with other people—your friends, family, and others—are also important to your well-being.

Research has found that while single adults tend to have worse mental well-being than their counterparts who are in romantic relationships, the amount ofsocial supportthat people felt played an important role in offsetting this.

In other words, feeling like you have plenty of social support from the important people in your life is essential for protecting your mental health.

So while you’re single, focus on strengthening those non-romantic social connections. Make plans with friends—even virtual meet-ups, if need be. Keep up on what’s happening with your loved ones, whether you chat on the phone a few times a week or interact online.

Building new social connections andmaking new friendscan also be beneficial. Join online groups, volunteer for causes that are important to you, participate in local sports clubs, or start a book club. In many cases,cultivating social supportmight even lead to meeting someone you are interested in romantically.

Focus on the Benefits of Singlehood

While there are benefits to being in a relationship, research also suggests that being on your own can come with its own set of benefits.For example:

Even if you’re not ready to settle down right now, it can be helpful tospend time datingor meeting new people.Online dating appscan be a great option, but friends can also be a source of new connections.

And if going out on dates in person isn’t an option, virtual meet-ups can be an excellent alternative. Consider an online video date where you can meet and chat while both enjoying a meal or other activity to help you get to know new potential love interests.

Many people feel like meeting virtually can serve as an icebreaker. When you do meet in person, you might find that you feel less nervous and have more to talk about.

Are Dating Apps Safe?

A Word From Verywell

Life isn’t a race and you don’t need to reach certain life milestones at any certain pace. You can have a rich, satisfying, happy life without being attached to a romantic partner. It’s also OK if you don’t feel ready to settle down with one person.

Most importantly, remind yourself that you are lovable. If and when you decide topursue a relationship, there are plenty of single people out there who share your interests, goals, and values.

Things To Do By Yourself

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Adamczyk K.Voluntary and involuntary singlehood and young adults' mental health: an investigation of mediating role of romantic loneliness.Curr Psychol. 2017;36(4):888-904. doi:10.1007/s12144-016-9478-3Apostolou M, O J, Esposito G.Singles' reasons for being single: empirical evidence from an evolutionary perspective.Front Psychol. 2020;11:746. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00746

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Adamczyk K.Voluntary and involuntary singlehood and young adults' mental health: an investigation of mediating role of romantic loneliness.Curr Psychol. 2017;36(4):888-904. doi:10.1007/s12144-016-9478-3Apostolou M, O J, Esposito G.Singles' reasons for being single: empirical evidence from an evolutionary perspective.Front Psychol. 2020;11:746. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00746

Adamczyk K.Voluntary and involuntary singlehood and young adults' mental health: an investigation of mediating role of romantic loneliness.Curr Psychol. 2017;36(4):888-904. doi:10.1007/s12144-016-9478-3Apostolou M, O J, Esposito G.Singles' reasons for being single: empirical evidence from an evolutionary perspective.Front Psychol. 2020;11:746. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00746

Apostolou M, O J, Esposito G.Singles' reasons for being single: empirical evidence from an evolutionary perspective.Front Psychol. 2020;11:746. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00746

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?

Focus on the Benefits of Singlehood#

A Word From Verywell#

Focus on the Benefits of Singlehood

A Word From Verywell