It seems that in this day and age, people are scrambling to be hooked up with someone, either for exclusive relationship or marriage. In fact, if you’re already in your mid to late twenties and you’re still single, people will look at you as if you’ve grown an extra head. In a time when getting a partner seems to be as easy as getting your morning dose of brewed coffee, being single seems to be the exception to the rule. What’s more, if you’re a child of a conservative family (especially if you’re from the East), it’s the parents themselves who expect you to be with someone already. It is perhaps this kind of pressure, both from the family and society, that forces single people to be with someone, or else. It is sad since being single isn’t really all that bad. Here are top five reasons why you should exult in your being alone. Contrary to that song, one isn’t the loneliest number at all.

1. No honey, more money. The first obvious reason why being single totally rocks: you get to spend all your hard-earned money on yourself.While many people will claim that money is not significant in sustaining a relationship, you have to be realistic here. Money will always be a factor in everything, even more so in your quest to make your significant other happy. Sure, she or he may say it’s okay if you don’t spend much, but there’s a part in you that says otherwise.When you’re in a relationship, there are things you are obliged to do. For example, anniversaries (and monthsaries, if you’re that eager) are almost always required gift-giving events, especially if your significant other is a bit on the materialistic side. Going out on dates also means you always have to spend. Dinner dates always mean an expense; after all, you wouldn’t want to treat them out to McDonald’s all the time, would you? We’re not even going to take into account the various events that are going to be added to your life such as your partner’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, and the extra special gifts you need to give them on the other major holidays.

   It gets worse when you’re married, especially if you’re a man. You are expected to provide a home for your new family, as well as the basic necessities like food and clothing. When the child comes into the picture, you will literally see your savings trickle like water on bullet-ridden water bags.

   Meanwhile, the single guy sits back and enjoys his brand new 100” HDTV he bought for himself.

2. Freedom! Who among you partnered folks have experienced this: you’re with your partner and suddenly, you have this urge to go geek out on some hobby or comic book shop for the rest of the afternoon, but you can’t because you know they’ll be bored? Or how about your guy friends ask you for a guy’s night out and you’re about to say yes when you see the disapproving look on your girl’s face?If there’s one thing that attached people envy among single guys and gals, it’s the fact that their time is their own and no one else’s. That means you will be able to go where you want and do what you want without having to feel guilty or think whether your significant other is also enjoying him/herself.For married people, this restriction is almost like a prison. Since you now have an obligation to your family, you can’t go out without either consulting your partner or bringing them along. You can’t even go home late without notifying them in advance or there will be hell to pay, usually in the form of flying plates and saucers. Of course, there are times when you don’t have to, but compare that to someone who doesn’t have to and you get the difference.

   

3. In-laws.There’s a joke poll going around that asks who you’d have assassinated if you can off one person without feeling guilty about it. Apparently, in-laws rate very high up there in the list. If you’re married, chances are you would know why.In-laws are an example of why nothing is perfect. You can have the perfect wife or husband who happens to have the perfect job and you both may have the most perfect children in the entire world, and the in-laws will be there to put a blemish on that shine of perfection. Not saying that in-laws are all bad, mind you. It’s just that for most of the married people, they are. Maybe it’s their parental instinct kicking in, especially if they think that their son or daughter is the most perfect creation in the universe and deserves nothing less, but more often than not, they try to meddle in on your relationship. They always have to have a say on everything, from the name of your child right down to the color of the disposable diapers they’re wearing. The thing is you can’t just shoo them away, or risk either being their enemy for the rest of your natural life or alienating your spouse.Does the single person have this problem? Not at all. (Tips on how to get rid of In-Laws)

   

4. Collect and collect. And collect some more. If you’re single, you can enjoy the privilege of being in flings or one-night stands without having to feel guilty at all. When you’re single and unattached, you can have your own choice of men or women, any day of the week.It’s a known fact that part of the reason why relationships fail is because sooner or later, one gets tired of the same partner. Note that this happens to almost all, and not just to the playboy/playgirl types. Even the most devoted ones feel the need to try something new now and then. That’s why there are one-night stands on out-of-the-country or state trips. What happens after? The “sinning” party gets guilt-ridden that they either break it off or feel the need to make it up to their partner. If you’re single, you won’t have this problem at all.There’s a reason why Bruce Wayne plays the most eligible bachelor card all this time. You think it’s because he can’t have his loved ones harmed should his secret identity be found out? Nah-uh. It’s all about the swinging parties and the casual sex without the guilt, baby.
5. No heartaches. Yes, it’s emo but it’s true. If you don’t have someone, you won’t ever get the risk of having your heart broken. People say that falling in love and being in a relationship is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world. Unfortunately, these same people haven’t told you that being left behind by someone you loved so much hurts like no other. You think all those talk of heartaches aren’t really as bad as people make them out to be? Then you haven’t really been heartbroken before! Some people get so depressed that they even take their own lives, or turn to psychiatric treatments, just so they could forget about their ex-lovers. Do the single people go through all this? Nope. Ignorance is bliss, as they say, but if you can enjoy life by yourself, then why complicate it by getting into a relationship?

These are just five very valid reasons for staying single. There may be more and the single people can provide them, but they’re probably out there enjoying their lives unattached, right this very minute. If you enjoy reading this article, might as well read how to have a Great Single Valentine’s day.