Enjoy the fact that you are single. The Netherlands has 2.4 million singles, and although society often still sees people together in a relationship as the norm, more and more people are consciously choosing to go through life without a partner. For many people, going through life without a partner has the advantage that they can make their own choices, and not having a steady partner does not mean that there is no room for friendships.
Ignore the comments
In a society geared towards couples, you run into people who wonder why you’re single, as if the ultimate goal in life is to hook up with another human being and cling to that ideal as if your life depends on it. They may even argue that there is something ,wrong, with you being single. Brace yourself against this kind of ignorance. Realize that you don’t have to defend yourself for this, and that it’s even rude to attack someone’s choice of whether or not to be in a relationship. Just say: ,I prefer to be single, and change the subject or point out that more than 1/3 of households in the Netherlands are single-person households.
Focus on friendship
Being single doesn’t have to mean loneliness. When you are alone, you have more time to engage in a variety of things, all of which provide the opportunity to make new friendships. Even if you’re more introverted, this can be an excellent opportunity to develop your extroverted side. But the social types can also struggle with loneliness. Make it a priority in your life to form meaningful friendships and expand existing friendships.
Enjoy your freedom
Everyone has radical little fantasies… and the chance of meeting someone who has the same fantasy is not unlikely. So what are you waiting for? Find some people who have the same idea, or just go it alone, and you’ll meet like-minded people on your way there.
Enjoy the absence of compromise
A classic relationship is dictated by compromise, sacrifices are essential in a healthy relationship. If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you know how many things you had to give up to make that relationship work. Or maybe you’ve forgotten because you’re focused on the things you’re missing. If so, now is a good time to shift that focus. If you’re a slob by nature, isn’t it great to leave all your stuff lying around without anyone saying anything? If you prefer order and tidiness, isn’t it wonderful to organize everything and find everything the way you left it? Isn’t it nice to be able to cook and eat and enjoy food that a partner would turn their nose up at? Isn’t it nice to go out spontaneously, without having to wonder whether your partner could or should be invited? A relationship can add a lot of good things to your life, but it also adds a certain amount of rigidity, so take the time to appreciate your current flexibility.
Cherish the excitement
Within relationships there is often a tendency to plan everything, for example, you cannot just accept a job on the other side of the country without it having direct consequences for the other partner. And in general, if you are in a relationship it is something for the long term, you often talk to each other about matters that concern the distant future. But if you are single, the future is completely open. Today you are sitting at your desk, and in a year you may be on vacation in an exotic place. Right now you’re single, but tomorrow you might meet your soulmate. Who knows? Fantasize. Be spontaneous. Enjoy!