For a long time, being single was treated like an embarrassing medical condition that needed to be fixed. From speed dating to soulmate-searching apps, an entire industry exists to sell you the idea that finding a partner is the ultimate solution to happiness. After all, you are not complete without another person to validate your existence, right?
Wrong! Today, more women are stepping off the perpetual relationship treadmill and walking their own paths. And no, they are not spending their weekends crying at home with their cats or just waiting for Prince Charming to sweep them off their feet. They are at Pilates, building professional careers, or sending out Galentine’s Day invitations to their besties.
In short, they are busy living their best lives, unbothered.
More Women Are Single Than Ever
You may be surprised to know that singleness is no longer the exception. In the US, 42% of adults were unmarried and not living with a partner in 2023. Women are marrying later than previous generations, and some are not marrying at all. So what are the reasons behind the deviation from what used to be the norm?
Economic independence plays a big role. Women two generations ago often relied on marriage for economic security and social standing. Modern women are financially self-sufficient, educated, and successful. We now have the resources to choose partnerships based on want rather than need.
A greater awareness of emotional labor further contributes to this trend, as fewer women feel compelled to rush into partnerships that fail to add value to their lives. Rising housing costs and shifting societal norms around platonic domestic arrangements have also created an environment in which romantic partnership is viewed as a choice among many.
There is also less social pressure than there used to be. The idea that everyone must follow the same life script—date, marry, settle—has lost its appeal. Being single no longer automatically signals that something is wrong or that a woman is undesirable. In many circles, it signals discernment and agency rather than a lack of options.
The Perks of Being Single
The first obvious perk of being single is freedom. When you are single, your time belongs to you. You decide how to spend your weekends, how late you stay out, and whether dinner is a three-course experiment or just avocado toast. There is no negotiating, no justifying your choices, and no resentment over whose turn it is to compromise.
Financial autonomy is another massive perk. You can make choices based on your priorities, not someone else’s risk tolerance or spending habits. Want to save aggressively for a home deposit? Go for it. Book a spontaneous trip? No committee meeting required. Adopt another dog or buy a $200 monstera deliciosa? Your money is all your own to spend.
Then there is the emotional space. Being single gives you space to understand yourself without constantly having to consider someone else’s needs. You learn what you like, what you don’t, and what you are no longer willing to tolerate. This self-knowledge tends to make future relationships more fulfilling, not more difficult.
And let us not forget friendships. Single women often have more time to invest deeply in their social circles. Instead of spending time catering to a partner’s or children’s emotional needs or schedules, they can foster connections that form a strong support network and celebrate the big and little moments of life with their friends.
How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Out
Do not let anyone tell you that being single means opting out of romance, intimacy, or fun. The truth is, you can pursue all of these things on your own terms, but you do have to be intentional about making time for the people and experiences that bring you joy. Stop waiting for someone else to plan things or give you permission; take the wheel!
Dinners are not postponed until Sunday; trips are not saved for “someday”; you don’t need a plus-one to a wedding; and Valentine’s Day can become a Galentine’s weekend to spend with your best friends. Everyday outings become mini-adventures, and milestones get marked with friends who actually know the whole story.
Connection also looks richer when it is not narrowed down to one person. Single women often nurture broader, deeper networks of friends and family. You laugh more, lean on more people, and experience different kinds of intimacy that will not just disappear with the end of a relationship or marriage.
Essentially, not missing out means not waiting. Not waiting to feel confident, attractive, accomplished, or complete. The idea that life begins only when you enter into a romantic relationship is outdated—and, frankly, a little insulting! A good relationship should add to a life that is already in motion and thriving on its own terms.
Conclusion
Look, none of this is an argument against relationships. Great partnerships can be wonderful, but they should be an addition to a life and not the foundation of it. Being single today can mean building a community and designing a life that is just for you. It means knowing your worth well enough not to hand it over lightly. And that is definitely something worth celebrating.