Being Single During a Pandemic Isn't So Bad
Valentine’s Day isn’t for a couple weeks, but you can practically sense the cheesy social media posts coming. The Instagram caption about how your friend is just so grateful for her boyfriend during these "unprecedented times." The Facebook status from your cousin about how she can’t imagine life without her partner. The tweet about how the lockdown has made your acquaintance love his current boyfriend even more.
It’s enough to make you roll your eyes into the back of your skull. You want to be happy for them, you really do. You don’t have anything against people dating or even being in love. It’s just… you don’t have a significant other and have had to make it through the last eleven months on your own.
You know what I say? Cheers to you. While social media might be flooded with pictures of your happy friend and her "rock", single people have been carrying themselves through this whole ordeal. That is much more impressive than one may think.
I spoke to four single people and they agreed to share some of their big takeaways from the pandemic.
Matt, 21
“I am at a point in my life where for the first time I am happy in being single. I would love a relationship. However, I am happy in the fact that I am working on myself. I am in a good state where I am about to graduate college in a semester. Things are looking up and at the moment I am focusing on me and not a relationship."
Mae, 21
“I think personally, women are pressured to constantly be in a relationship and that’s something that’s affected and bothered me throughout my life. The pandemic is a nice way out.”
Alyssa, 24
“My favorite thing I’ve learned about myself is I am fairly decent at sewing! I was able to fix a pillow and make a Christmas stocking. I now have a list of things that I want to sew. Pretty soon I’ll be making my own clothes! I’m not sure I’d have had time to work on my skills otherwise.”
David, 27
“After ending a long-term relationship during the pandemic, I really became the classic fuckboy I always heard about. But I realized I wasn't mentally recovered from the breakup so I decided to swear off dating entirely. It was hard, and there have been lonely moments, but ultimately it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. My relationships with my family and friends are stronger, I’m more successful in my career, and I’ve come to terms with what it is that I actually need at this point in my life.”
So dear all single folk, when Valentine’s Day does arrive, just remember that even Saint Valentine himself didn’t have a significant other: a 2018 article from Smithsonian Magazine clarified that most of his romantic tendencies were just the stuff of legends.
A relationship isn't necessary for you to thrive. You're doing just fine on your own.