Learning How to be Single

Okay ladies, let’s be real for a sec. We all know the too familiar horror of being dumped. We as women go through these tragedies in an almost ritualistic way; at first, we say we’re fine and we don’t need him anyway, but then the gravity of the situation hits us in an all-too dramatic fashion and we end up crying with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and the company of our one and only true love, Netflix. But the important thing is, after we’ve cried our hearts desire over the stinging rejection, we get up, wipe the ice cream off our face, and get back out there!

Being single can be a scary thought nowadays, especially if it’s after a long-term relationship. When you’re in a relationship, you seem to be yearning for the freedom to flirt and flounce as you desire, but then as soon as you find yourself single, the thought of having to go out and put yourself out there makes you wanna high tail it back to the company of your cat and your favorite pair of sweat pants.

We ladies just put too much pressure on ourselves. It’s okay to flirt with guys without jumping right back into the game, there’s no need to expect or pursue anything else unless that’s what you want.

In fact, one of the best ways to get over a guy is getting dolled up, going out on the town, and shamelessly flirting your way into the confidence boost you need to sooth the rejection that still festers in the back of your mind. There’s nothing wrong with accepting a few compliments from a cute guy at the bar.

But the most important thing when it comes to learning how to be single is this: you have to be okay with yourself before you will ever be okay with someone else. You will never be able to truly love another person if you don’t love yourself first, and sometimes it takes a little time alone to be able to do just that. You don’t need a guy to tell you you’re pretty, or smart, or anything for that matter, because you should know that long before he’s around to tell you. There’s no room in your life for more negativity, don’t let yourself be the source of it. Find your independence, because the only person that can truly take care of you, is you.

One of worst parts about being single is feeling like you’ll stay that way forever. But ladies, trust me on this, YOU WON’T. There is someone else out there for you, no matter how much you fear being alone forever. Just because he may not show up when you would like him to doesn’t mean he isn’t out there! And I guarantee he’ll show up when you least expect it. So don’t go on a #foreveralone tweeting spree when you’re stuck at home on Valentines Day watching Nicholas Sparks movies by yourself (and trust me, every girl will experience at least one single Valentines Day in her lifetime). Get up, call your girlfriends, and enjoy the freedom of your independence.

But don’t spend every night out waiting for your prince charming to come sweep you off your feet, because, like it says in my favorite cliché quote, if you’re searching for that one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror.