Solace in Singleness

Listen! Being single is far from a negative experience. It's a journey that has led me to find inner peace, though it wasn't always an easy path. I had to confront uncomfortable moments head-on, facing them without hesitation. I had to unravel the layers of my willingness to sacrifice in the pursuit of a relationship. I had to unlearn the patterns I had mindlessly followed, repeating the same actions while expecting different outcomes. I came to realize that pursuing just any connection, without discernment, left me feeling far from content.

I'm not ashamed to admit that, at one point, I didn't fully value or love myself. However, being happily single doesn't diminish my desire to find a meaningful partnership. Yet, I no longer feel desperate to be with just anyone. I've shed that part of myself, and in doing so, I've uncovered the most important lesson of all: the beauty that surrounds me and the inherent worth within me.

I took a leap, investing in relationships that held true value, where I could give and receive in equal measure. I worked on strengthening my bonds with family, friends, and even my physicians. Through this process, I learned the genuine essence of healthy relationships and discovered that I was never truly alone.

As I pen these words, I breathe in and out, feeling liberated to be authentically me and share myself with more than just a partner. I stand as a testament to the fact that I am not alone, and my life lacks nothing. I possess all that I need. Yes, I continue to work on myself, as I am surrounded by active relationships that challenge and inspire me to evolve into a better version of myself.

I once heard a host on a show discuss our preoccupation with romantic relationships, suggesting that it could detract from our personal growth and enjoyment of life. The host posed a thought-provoking question: What if we never find that 'happily ever after'? What if we remain single forever, never marrying? This question hit me like a ton of bricks because I had never contemplated it before. It forced me to reevaluate my priorities and confront my fear of that possibility.

Over the course of several months, I wrestled with this question, ultimately arriving at the realization that being single is a valid and fulfilling path. Of course, I hold hope for a future partnership, but I'm no longer dependent on it because I am actively living. In fact, my singleness has become my testimony, a testament to my ability to liberate myself from the grip of codependency and find solace in the beauty of being single.