While the sanctity of marriage remains a prominent cultural aspect
with global relevance, the rate of divorce remains comparatively high in
developed economies throughout the world. This is creating a higher
volume of singles, who subsequently have a tremendous chance to develop
as individuals and significantly better their lives before embracing
commitments such as marriage, home-ownership and child rearing.
With this in mind, let’s consider 10 things that you should look to
do or accomplish while you are single and before you embark on a
long-term relationship:
1. Travel independently and as often as possible
Travelling is a wonderful thing to do whilst you are single. It is
one of the few things in life that allows you to have a sense of
complete freedom, and travelling independently helps you to optimize
this sense of liberty and abandon. By travelling alone you can literally
go wherever you wish to in this world, without having to compromise on
your experience or the type of holiday’s that you aim to enjoy.
Given that travelling abroad has the potential to expand our horizons
and to help us become more rounded individuals, doing so as an
individual will enable you to absorb as much cultural knowledge as
possible. So long as you are able to choose suitable destinations and purchase insurance coverage that protects you in specific regions of the world, you can travel safely while becoming a more rounded and complete person.
2. Live Alone as an Independent Adult
Similarly, living alone as a single adult enables you to learn more
about yourself in a stressful, intense and satisfying manner. Above all
else, it allows you to become comfortable with your own company and live happily in solitude,
as you reflect on your life and consider future goals. This will make
you far less likely to choose unsuitable romantic partners when you are
older, or make relationship decisions that are based on desperation and a
desire not be alone. Given the stress that can be caused by romantic
separation and divorce, living alone as a singleton can spare you from
considerable heartache and distress in the future.
3. Establish Routines and Coping Mechanisms
They say that humans are creatures of habit, and there is a good
reason for this. More specifically, we thrive on routines as it enables
us to cope with the stress of our busy and occasionally complicated
lives. It is particularly beneficial to develop these physical and
emotional routines while you are single because, unlike when you are in a
relationship, you are completely independent and only have yourself to
rely on.
This is empowering, as you can develop a greater understanding of
your psyche and establish routines or psychological coping mechanisms
without becoming co-dependent with another person. You can also become a
more rounded and confident individual, who is able to serve as a source
of strength and assistance for others.
4. Work out what you want from a Relationship
If there is one most imprtant thing that you should do while you are
single, it is to work out what you want from your future partner. This
is far easier to do when you are not already in a relationship, as the
concepts of time and space enable you to have perspective and develop a
clear understanding of what you want in a life partner. It also has
additional benefits, as it enables you to break bad dating habits and
create good one’s going forward. So not only will you be able to
identify a compatible partner when the time comes, but you can also
create a favorable impression and afford the relationship the best
possible chance of long-term success.
5. Donate and assist charities
Donating your time and energy to charity can be a life enriching
experience. Helping those that are perhaps less fortunate than you, not
only ensures that you appreciate what you do have, but also what you do
not actually need. It may even change your perspective on the aspects of
your life which are actually important to you. This is a particularly
wonderful thing to do whilst you are single as you will have the freedom
to donate as much of your free time or disposable income as you wish;
without having to consider any social engagements your partner may wish
to attend.
There is a whole wealth of volunteering opportunities out there,
while leading brands also deliver initiatives that you should be aware
of. By taking part in these initiatives, you can help those less
fortunate than yourself and aid your personal growth in the process.
6. Listen to your gut and go on spontaneous adventures
Once you embark on a long-term relationship, you can encumber a
number of responsibilities including marriage, home-ownership and
raising children. Although these are varied in their nature, they are
bound by financial obligations and the need to budget your income in a
responsible and productive manner. As a singleton you are free from such
restrictions, however, meaning that you have a unique opportunity to
indulge your passions and achieve more selfish, potentially
irresponsible goals.
The more you invest in care-free and self-centered experiences when
you are single, the more content you will become to settle down and
embrace the responsibilities associated with adult relationships.
7. Save Money on a Regular Basis
On a similar note, the financial responsibilities associated with
owning a home or raising children can make it extremely difficult to
save money. So while saving money while you are single may be
challenging, you may never have a better opportunity to reduce your
monthly expenditure, invest your disposable income and focus on your life goals.
With the average rate of disposable income set to rise in line with
global economic expansion throughout 2015, singleton’s will have an even
greater opportunity to save their hard-earned cash on a regular basis.
Saving when you are single and able allows you to lay the foundations
for future financial security, while making it easier to accomplish
goals once you have embarked on a relationship, such as purchasing a
home or planning a wedding.
8. Achieve the Ideal Work-life Balance
You cannot hope to save or achieve financial stability without a
regular source of income, whether you are single or in a relationship.
Managing your career development alongside a relationship or life as a
parent can be particularly challenging, however, as you must divide the
same amount of time between a wider range of activities. It is therefore
important to develop your career as aggressively as possible as a
singleton, while also determining a suitable work-life balance to create a seamless and productive everyday routine.
If you can achieve this, you will find it far easier to embark on a
successful relationship and fulfill your additional responsibilities as a
partner, spouse and parent.
9. Learn New Skills or Achieve Academic Goals
In addition to addressing your work-life balance, you may also want
to use your time as a singleton to pursue new skills and academic
achievements. This is far harder to do when in a relationship, due to
the cost of private or adult education and the amount of time that is
required to learn effectively. Not only do you have a clear career focus
when single, but you also have the time and disposable income to
acquire specific skills and qualifications that will boost your
fledgling career. So while some people may consider age to be the
primary barrier to learning new skills, it is in fact individual life
circumstances and the pressures of embarking on a romantic liaison.
10. Spend time with your Closest and Dearest Friends
Friendship is a powerful and persuasive bond, but one that can suffer when you devote time and effort into building a romantic relationship. It is therefore crucial that you spend as much time as possible with your closest friends while you are single, as this can be easily balanced alongside your working schedule and any recreational hobbies that you may have. This not only enables you to live in the moment and make the most of your long-term platonic relationships, but it also helps to create viable routines for spending time with friends and loved ones in the future.
source:lifehack