Life

14 Quotes About Being Single

by Marlena Ahearn

Whether you’re fresh off a breakup or you’re in a long-term relationship with yourself, everyone seems to have an opinion on what it means to be single. Typically, people define it as the absence of a significant other. But ‘being single’ is so much more than being without. Being single is an incredible opportunity to be yourself and serve only you. You have all the control and all the freedom in the world to do things the way you want to, without sacrificing for anyone else’s schedule or preferences. Practicing self-care is essential to being healthy inside and out — and there is no better time to start a self-care ritual than when you aren’t responsible for anyone but yourself.

Sure some people may find that they're lonely when they're single and feel their happiest when they're in a relationship, but being single — for the first time or for the hundredth time — doesn’t have to be lonely or sad. Instead of looking at your singleness as being without something, try looking at it as an opportunity to unabashedly revel in your own thoughts, needs, feelings, and desires. Here are 14 quotes to inspire you to indulge in yourself and celebrate being single.

1. "I think it's very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not defined by another person." — Oscar Wilde

2. "What is it like being single? I like it. I like starting each day with a sense of possibility." — Michael Scott (The Office)

3. "Why is it that people think staying in a bad relationship is better than being single? Don't they know that being single is the first step to finding a great relationship?" — Jennifer O'Neill

4. "You do not need to be loved, not at the cost of yourself. The single relationship that is truly central and crucial in a life is the relationship to the self. Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never lose." — Jo Coudert

5. "I don't need a man to rectify my existence. The most profound relationship we'll ever have is the one with ourselves." — Shirley MacLaine

6. "Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution." — Mae West

7. "Too many girl rush into relationships because of the fear of being single, then start making compromises and losing their identity. Don't do that." ― Katy Perry

8. "Even when it seems that there is no one else, always remember there's one person who never ceased to love you - yourself." ― Sanhita Baruah

9. "Being single doesn’t necessarily mean you’re available. Sometimes you have to put up a sign that says, “Do Not Disturb” on your heart." — Wiz Khalifa

10. "I don't trust people who don't love themselves and tell me, 'I love you.' ... There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt." — Maya Angelou

11. "You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody."― Maya Angelou

12. "My alone feels so good, I'll only have you if you're sweeter than my solitude." ― Warsan Shire

13. "Being single is getting over the illusion that there is somebody out there to complete you and taking charge of your own life." — Omkar Phatakc

14. "It seemed to me that the desire to get married – which, I regret to say, I believe is basic and primal in women – is followed almost immediately by an equally basic and primal urge – which is to be single again." — Nora Ephron

Images: Fotolia; Giphy