When You are the “Single Friend” in Your Social Circle
Does it feel like all of your friends have gotten married and settled down? If you’re still single in a social circle full of couples, you might feel a little left out. And sometimes, you may catch yourself wondering why you haven’t found “the one” yet.
How can you make the most of single life when most of your friends are married? And how can you balance embracing independence with your search for love? It’s all about figuring out what you need in a partner, staying open to meeting new people, and appreciating all the positive aspects of being single.
Here are a few tips for being single when you’ve got married friends!
Keep Socializing
Remember, you’re not limited to hanging out with your current social circle. This is the perfect time to branch out and make some new friends! You could try volunteering with a local organization, or working out with a running club or adult recreation league.
By making new friends based on interests you already have in common, you’ll probably meet some other single people – and you may even bump into someone with whom you feel a spark!
Enjoy Your Independence
Sometimes, being single can make you feel isolated. But when you reframe your self-image and picture yourself as independent instead, you can begin to embrace all the positive aspects of flying solo.
Maybe you want to go on a long solo trip and explore on your own terms. Or maybe you want to pick up a new creative hobby that you can practice on your own. When you lean into your independence, the sky is the limit!
Determine What You Want
When you’re single, you can learn a lot from other people’s relationships. Think about your friends who are in truly happy marriages. How do they navigate through rough patches? What made them realize their partner was right for them? Which values did they build their relationships on?
Seeing what your friends in stable and successful marriages do can help you determine what you want out of a future relationship.
Reach Out to Your Married Friends
What if you feel a little bit left out when your married friends get together? Do you ever feel you aren’t invited to certain gatherings simply because you’re single? Sometimes, simply reaching out to your married friends is the solution. Let them know you would like to spend more time with them, and you would be happy to be the host on a girls’ or guys’ night!
If your friends are newlyweds, they might be wrapped up in their own little world, and you may need to clue them in to the fact that you haven’t made plans in a while.
Focus on Self-Improvement
Overall, this is a great opportunity to focus on self-improvement. Whether you want to learn a new skill, change up your diet and start exercising, pay off your debt and learn more about personal finance, or even advance in your career, you can tackle these challenges while you’re single! You have more time to concentrate on personal growth, an area that is always welcome for exploration in psychotherapy sessions.
Of course, you can work on self-improvement when you have a partner, but when you’re single, you have the freedom to hone in on your goals. And when you meet “the one,” you’ll feel confident knowing that you’re the best version of yourself.
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Are you trying to navigate single life amongst your married friends? Do you feel you’re always comparing yourself to people in relationships? Therapy can help. Reach out to me today to learn about the benefits of therapy regarding your love life.
