The Joy of Being Single

November 12, 2024
ALEXANDER

The Joy of Being Single

This week, we celebrate Global Singles Day. This movement was started in China over two decades ago and uses November 11th (11/11) to signify single numbers. It is a day when singles are supposed to treat themselves well, pampering, buying gifts for themselves, celebrating not being anchored down to anyone. It has become one of the largest shopping days in China.

It was originally called Bachelor's Day and it was mostly celebrated by men, buying luxury items for themself. E-commerce website Alibaba did a huge campaign in 2009 and the day started to take off globally. It is a time to throw constructs to the wind and free yourself from the pressures of being in a relationship. Being single is not a bad thing, especially if you can find joy in being untethered.

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Being single offers a type of freedom. While it is nice to have a companion for life's trials and tribulations, sometimes having some quiet alone time works. That's not to say an occasional hookup can fill your intimacy needs. Being single gives you a hall pass to watch what you want, eat what you want, wear what you want, take over the whole bed, be on Grindr, and sleep in until whenever you want. You don't have to answer to anyone and you can do what you want on your terms.

Being a single slut. Some of us got into a relationship early on and didn't have those carefree romps gay men are supposed to have. Those hookups, the one-night stands, the cruising, we missed out because we had a boyfriend. Being single means you don't have to check in with anyone if you want to give a guy a blowjob at the gym. You don't have to worry about someone being jealous when they hear your Grindr notification go off. You can hookup with that hot neighbor and not worry about having to answer to anyone. Your body, your rules.

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Not being in a relationship tends to make singles take more time for self-care. Mediation, going to the gym, massages, facials, yoga, reading a book, are all things that help the emotional and mental state. When in a relationship, your time tends to be catered to your significant other and sometimes personal time goes out the window. Being single allows you the time to explore your hobbies, travel, go on adventures without being weighed down.

So embrace the single life this week, just because most of society says we are only happy when in a relationship doesn't make it true. Enjoy doing you and set some single goals for yourself. Go out and get a little crazy this week, you've earned it. Happy Singles Day!