Happily Single — So What's Next?
Here's a radical thought:
Maybe you don't need to do anything about being single.
You're not heartbroken.
You're not sitting around waiting for somebody to arrive.
And you're certainly not spending every evening desperately swiping through dating apps looking for someone to complete you.
You actually quite like your life.
Perhaps you enjoy your independence.
Your own routines.
Your friends and family.
Your home.
Your freedom.
Going to bed when you want, eating what you want and having complete control of the television remote. 😂
Being happily single isn't a waiting room.
It can be a really good place to be.
1. Work Out What Makes Your Life Feel Full
There's a difference between being alone and feeling lonely.
You can be surrounded by people and feel lonely.
And you can spend an entire Sunday by yourself and feel completely content.
So rather than asking:
“Do I need a relationship?”
a much more interesting question might be:
“What makes my life feel full?”
Perhaps it's family.
Friendships.
Travel.
Work.
Creativity.
Animals.
Volunteering.
Learning.
Going out.
Staying in.
Having people around your dinner table.
Or having nobody around your dinner table occasionally.
There isn't a correct answer.
Something to think about...
Which parts of your life give you energy?
And:
What would you like MORE of?
That's where I'd start.
2. Make Plans Without Waiting for a Plus One
One of the biggest freedoms of becoming comfortable with single life is realising:
You don't have to wait for somebody else to do things with.
Book the holiday.
Go to the theatre.
Try the restaurant.
Join the class.
Take yourself somewhere.
Ask a friend.
Join a group.
Organise the weekend.
There may be things you've subconsciously put in the:
“I'll do that when I meet someone”
box.
Take them back out.
Your life is happening now.
3. Connection Doesn't Have to Mean Romance
Humans need connection.
But romantic relationships are only one kind.
There are friendships.
Family relationships.
Community.
Shared interests.
Physical affection.
Conversations with people who understand us.
Belonging.
Laughter.
You can build a deeply connected life without having a romantic partner at the centre of it.
Explore this
4. Enjoy Your Independence — Without Becoming Isolated
This is the little bit of balance I'd introduce.
Being independent is wonderful.
But sometimes:
“I love my own company”
can quietly become:
“I haven't seen another human being since Tuesday.”
You don't need a partner.
But it's worth maintaining the relationships and connections that matter to you.
Send the message.
Make the arrangement.
Go for the coffee.
Accept the invitation.
Join something.
Invite somebody round.
Not because there's something wrong with being alone.
Simply because connection is good for us too.
5. You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind
Being happily single today doesn't mean signing a lifetime contract.
You might stay happily single.
Brilliant.
Or one day somebody might wander into your life and make you think:
“Oh. Bugger.”
Also brilliant.
You don't need to choose an identity:
I AM SINGLE.
I MUST FIND LOVE.
You can simply live your life and remain open to whatever feels right.
And if what feels right changes later, that's allowed too.
6. What If You'd Like Companionship — But Not a Relationship?
Maybe you don't want:
Living together.
Marriage.
Shared finances.
Someone around 24/7.
Or somebody asking where you've been because you popped to Tesco.
But perhaps you would enjoy:
Someone to have dinner with.
A travel companion.
Someone to go to events with.
Affection.
Sex.
A weekend away.
A regular companion.
There isn't only one legitimate version of connection.
You get to decide what works for you.
And you don't need to put a traditional relationship label on something just because other people expect you to.
7. Keep Being Curious About Your Life
Perhaps the best question for this stage isn't:
“Will I ever meet somebody?”
It's:
“What else would I like to experience?”
Make a list.
Places you'd like to visit.
Things you'd like to learn.
People you'd like to reconnect with.
Something you've always wanted to try.
Something slightly ridiculous you'd quite like to do just because you can.
Your next chapter doesn't need to revolve around finding love.
It can revolve around living.
❤️ So... What Comes Next?
Whatever you want.
Seriously.
There isn't another stage you need to graduate into.
If you're happy being single, keep building a life you enjoy.
Explore Love After 50.
Read the articles that interest you.
Try something new.
Meet people.
Don't meet people.
Have adventures.
Stay home with a book.
Your single life belongs to you.
And if something changes?
Maybe one day you realise:
“Actually... I think I'd quite like someone.”
Not because your single life failed.
Not because you suddenly need completing.
Simply because sharing some of this life with the right person sounds rather lovely.
If that ever happens:
❤️ Ready for Love
Our Ready for Love journey can help you explore what you'd actually like a relationship to add to the life you've already built.
And until then?
Enjoy your life.
❤️ Have You Taken the Quiz Yet?
Where you are in your single life can change.
You might be healing from heartbreak, finding your feet on your own, wondering how to start dating, feeling ready for love - or absolutely loving being single.
If you haven't taken our free What Type of Single Are You? quiz yet, it only takes a few minutes and will help you discover where you are right now.
And if you've taken it before?
Why not take it again and see how far you've come?
