Does It Sucks Being Sick and Single, or are you Happy To Be Single

There was a time when women who hadn't married in their twenties were called 'spinsters' and that if they hadn't married at all they were considered to be 'left on the shelf'? The implication being that they were undesirable and unable to find a suitable mate. Men fared slightly better by being tagged with the label 'bachelors'. This tended to give men an edge and implied a carefree lifestyle. But even they were considered to be unusual if they hadn't married by the time they reach their 30's.

'Sex and The City' finally ended its long run after years of championing being single in the 90's, only for the girls to end up awash with babies and husbands. It must have seemed a real sell-out to those singles who clung to every word as if it were the divine mantra.

In America a new phenomenon has taken hold. It's a book called 'Quirkyalone: A Manifesto For Uncompromising Romantics'. The manifesto is to 'resist the tyranny of coupledom' because being alone is preferable to counting the days in a 'stifling or unsatisfying romantic relationship.' The term 'Quirkyalone' was coined by Sasha Cogen. It started out as a grassroots movement and is now a website that claims more than 1000 hits a day. National organizations such as 'Alternatives to Marriage Project' also defend the equality and fairness of unmarried people.

There are already 11 million single people in Britain and by the year 2010 that figure will steadily rise to 16 million. This is in part due to the fact that many relationships break down and that more and more people are delaying marriage in favour of their careers. Many will be happy as another wedding invitation drops through the door, that people no longer view them as social lepers.

Why is it that people make assumptions about singleness. Such as that it's a temporary state and so it's not that important. A person is single because they can't get anyone or they haven't met the right person. It's just a transitional stage some one's going through. That may be so for some people but for some, singleness is a popular lifestyle choice.

Even if you've recently split up with a partner or have chosen to be alone, being single can be enormously fulfilling. Singles bask in the knowledge that they are free to do whatever they want and have time and energy for both career and friends. But singledom will only work if you can guard against all the many pressures and opposition you will face from those who feel you are somehow abnormal. For this reason it is important that you understand why you have chosen to be single and that you are happy with who you are. This will not only make you more happy as a person but also more happy to love, making you a magnet for potential suitors who share your way of thinking should you later change your mind. There can be something both positive and rich out of the experience of being single

On the other hand...

'Sex and The City' finally ended its long run after years of championing being single in the 90's, only for the girls to end up awash with babies and husbands. It must have seemed a real sell-out to those singles who clung to every word as if it were the divine mantra.

In America a new phenomenon has taken hold. It's a book called 'Quirkyalone: A Manifesto For Uncompromising Romantics'. The manifesto is to 'resist the tyranny of coupledom' because being alone is preferable to counting the days in a 'stifling or unsatisfying romantic relationship.' The term 'Quirkyalone' was coined by Sasha Cogen. It started out as a grassroots movement and is now a website that claims more than 1000 hits a day. National organizations such as 'Alternatives to Marriage Project' also defend the equality and fairness of unmarried people.

There are already 11 million single people in Britain and by the year 2010 that figure will steadily rise to 16 million. This is in part due to the fact that many relationships break down and that more and more people are delaying marriage in favour of their careers. Many will be happy as another wedding invitation drops through the door, that people no longer view them as social lepers.

Why is it that people make assumptions about singleness. Such as that it's a temporary state and so it's not that important. A person is single because they can't get anyone or they haven't met the right person. It's just a transitional stage some one's going through. That may be so for some people but for some, singleness is a popular lifestyle choice.

Even if you've recently split up with a partner or have chosen to be alone, being single can be enormously fulfilling. Singles bask in the knowledge that they are free to do whatever they want and have time and energy for both career and friends. But singledom will only work if you can guard against all the many pressures and opposition you will face from those who feel you are somehow abnormal. For this reason it is important that you understand why you have chosen to be single and that you are happy with who you are. This will not only make you more happy as a person but also more happy to love, making you a magnet for potential suitors who share your way of thinking should you later change your mind. There can be something both positive and rich out of the experience of being single...