all my single ladies

It's a common thing to huff and puff, roll our eyes, and complain about how we are oh-so-lonely. It's what single gals do. In the past, my friends and I would get a bottle of wine (or two) and sip away the sorrows of singledom. Heck, we still do from time to time. We even used to schedule weekend nights as "prowl" nights. As if either one of us could get the cojones to even look at a cute guy, let alone talk to him. We learned a few lessons from trying to find "boyfriend material" at a dark, crowded bar after one too many vodka sodas.

So, why is it that we can't find contentedness on our own? Is it because we like the single woes that bond our close-knit group of gal pals? Or do we really feel incomplete without a guy? After looking in all the wrong places, I finally find it easy to be alone. Sure, watching any movie based off a Nicholas Sparks novel gets me a little choked up, but really, being single isn't that bad.

Thankfully, there are ladies who are with me. They, too, looked in the wrong places and pondered over what was wrong with them. Their stories can be found on the Good Women Project. This month's topic is 'Making the Most of Being Single.' Each story is filled with dating mistakes, personal struggle, and finally being okay with a table for one. I read each post and think, "Wow. I'm really not alone." 

So next time you start feeling a little blue about not having a beau, just think...

I don't have to shave every day.

I don't have to check in with anyone when I'm out with my girls.

I don't have one more present to buy at the holidays.

I don't have to worry about morning breath.

I don't have to fight over a remote control.

I don't have to fight. Period.

I don't have to worry about other girls.

I don't have to clean up after anyone.

I don't have to fret about meeting the parents.

I don't have to change my Facebook to "In a Relationship" and then back to "Single" for everyone to comment on.

Like I said, it's really not that bad. 

I saw this quote somewhere and fell in love with it, 

"Single is not a status. It's a word that best describes a person who is strong enough to live and enjoy life without depending on others."

So get out there and start your own adventure. Go to the movies alone. Eat dinner at a restaurant alone. Vacation alone. Get in touch with yourself. Embrace silence. 

Just think, the stronger the relationship you build with yourself will lead to a strong relationship with someone else. It's better to take your time and be alone, than to be in the wrong relationship. Don't rush. Go slow. Be sure. And in the meantime, love every second of it.

Side note: I feel so lucky to be able to contribute some of my writing to the Good Women Project for the upcoming October topic. I will keep you posted on that! It's been so wonderful just exchanging e-mails with Lauren, the site's founder. She really is such an inspiration to be better, do better, live better, and love better.

[click on images for sources]