Twenty Fabulous Things About Being Single

Photo found hereThis is for a very dear friend who asked for such a list by way of needing encouragement. You know who you are.

To those who may see this as an indication that I might not enjoy being married, or who may read unintended messages into it, I say unto you: "Turn your beetle eyes elsewhere." This list is a "what you see is what you get list," not a whiny commentary on my marriage or husband.

Being single has benefits; being married has benefits. Whichever you are, you experience benefits that are unavailable if you take on the other status. It will be a long time before I have been married as long as I've been single, so I think I have some qualifications to speak to the topic...at least from my own viewpoint, which ought to be unassailable.

Here we go: Twenty Fabulous Things About Being Single.

1. You have the delicious freedom to go and come whenever you're ready, and not have to wait for anyone, or have them get upset because they're waiting for you.
2. You can go to bed and get up whenever you want, and it never bothers anyone else.
3. You have full control of your own finances, and don't have to negotiate about how the money (if you have some) will be spent, or how your financial dealings will be tracked.
4. You do not have to endure someone talking to you first thing in the morning.
5. You don't have any arguments about the "right" way to do the dishes or the washing, and you never have to submit to the 2nd best--or wrong--approach.
6. You can set the thermostat or the car air conditioning where you want it.
7. It's easier to find a seat when you go to a crowded event.
8. You don't have to worry over what the other person in the house is thinking when they get quiet.
9. You only have the people in one family to juggle, instead of two.
   
10. No one interrupts your worship, reading or internet train of thought or meditation.
11. You get to choose the TV programs, the music, and the volume, and you can channel surf or stay continuous as you please.
12. No one says, "What? You want to travel overseas AGAIN already? It's too expensive and we don't have time."
13. When choosing where you live, you don't have to argue whether the desert or the coast is the winning locale.
14. You can have your clutter. Or you can live without someone else cluttering your home spaces. Whichever way you do it, you don't end up feeling annoyed or pressured.
15. When it comes to the chores, you never have occasion to get mad because you're doing 3/4 while the other person is only doing 1/4. It's always fair.
16. You don't have to check with anyone else if you want to invite someone to come visit your home for a few days, or to invite them over for a meal.
17. Home is always an agreeable place, since there's no one to disagree with you or point out where you're being silly, wrong or illogical.
18. How can I say this delicately?: The only odors you must live with are your own, and we all seem to think those are at least okay, if not pleasant.
19. You're more likely to know where to find things, because they're where you put them.
20. You tend to get to know people outside your family much better, and to know a broader range of people, because you have time to invest in them.

I keep thinking I've missed something on the overarching level, but that's going to have to do for now. If any of my readers have more Fabulous Things to add, I invite you to do so in the comments section. My friend will benefit. Thanks.