Pandas, being single is often viewed as a phase of life that will eventually end when someone meets the “right” person. But the truth is that singlehood can look very different for everyone. Some people are happily embracing their independence, while others are taking time to understand themselves, focus on their goals, heal from past relationships, or simply enjoy the life they have built on their own.
Of course, sharing life with a loving partner can be a beautiful experience, but living alone has its own quiet joys too. You can choose what to eat, spend your free time exactly how you want, watch the same comfort show for the tenth time, and even fart as loudly as you please without worrying about anyone else’s opinion! In today’s collection, people are sharing the funny, relatable, and surprisingly wholesome reasons they enjoy being single and living alone. Keep scrolling, Pandas, and see which of these perks you can relate to the most.
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Not too long ago, many people viewed being single in a negative light—as a sign of loneliness, incompleteness, or even personal failure. For much of human history, coupling up was treated as the expected path, and marriage was often seen as an important marker of adulthood, stability, and success. But attitudes toward singlehood have gradually changed.
Today, more people are choosing to focus on their independence, careers, friendships, personal goals, and happiness rather than entering a relationship simply because they feel they are supposed to. In fact, The Economist estimated that the world had at least 100 million more single people in 2025 than it would have had if coupling rates had remained as high as they were in 2017.
No one asking me what's for dinner after I just worked eight hours.
The numbers show just how common singlehood has become across different parts of the world. China had approximately 200 million single adults as of 2018. Canada had around 18.27 million single people in 2022, while England and Wales recorded more than 28 million single people in 2020. In France, approximately 27.7 million people, or 41.3% of the population, were single in 2018. Of course, being single can mean different things to different people, and these figures include people of various ages and life circumstances. Still, they reflect a broader shift in the way many people think about relationships and living independently.
So, what has contributed to this change? In the past, singlehood was often associated with loneliness, failure, or the idea that someone was still waiting for their life to truly begin. But over time, more people have started viewing it as a valid lifestyle and an opportunity to better understand themselves. There are now plenty of books, podcasts, and conversations exploring the idea that being single does not necessarily mean being unhappy or incomplete.
If my body needs rest I can spend a day in bed watching the type of movies/shows I love without someone calling me lazy.
One person who has written about this shift is John Kim, a licensed therapist, speaker, and author of Single on Purpose: Redefine Everything. Find Yourself First. Drawing from his own experiences after a painful divorce, Kim reflects on how he had moved from one relationship to another throughout much of his adult life without spending enough time understanding who he was on his own. His book encourages readers to see singlehood not as a waiting room before the next relationship but as a period that can offer space for reflection, personal growth, and self-discovery.
Kim challenges the belief that being single automatically means being lonely, incomplete, or somehow “behind” in life. He argues that loneliness is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. Sometimes, it can be an emotional reminder to reconnect with yourself, your interests, your values, or the people who matter to you. The goal is not to avoid relationships or convince yourself that you never need anyone. Instead, it is about becoming comfortable in your own company and learning not to depend on a relationship, constant attention, or digital distractions to feel worthy or fulfilled.
The book also encourages people to give themselves some of the care, time, and attention they might normally reserve for a romantic partner. That could mean investing in hobbies, working toward personal or career goals, taking care of your physical and mental well-being, or simply making time for activities that bring you joy. Rather than treating single life as a pause before something better comes along, the idea is to build a meaningful life in the present; whether or not a relationship eventually becomes part of it.
No one eating all the groceries and snacks within 48 hours of me bringing them home so that I have to go grocery shop for my snacks all over again.
Interestingly, this changing attitude toward singlehood can also be seen in different cultures. In Japan, shifting demographics and changing social expectations have contributed to the growth of what is often called ohitorisama, a term that loosely translates to “party of one.” The movement celebrates the idea that people can comfortably enjoy activities alone, whether that means eating at a restaurant, going to the movies, traveling, shopping, or simply spending time by themselves. Instead of viewing solo activities as sad or unusual, many people see them as a way to enjoy independence and make choices without waiting for someone else to join them.
I can meal prep whatever I want and eat the same thing if I want all the time. No one making fun of the books I read or shows I watch.
I just passed 12yrs of living alone. Besides my dog. I do what I want, when I want. Nap, eat (food choices, restaurant, time of day, etc), what day of the week to clean, prep my meals, make appts for myself. Stay up late: either watching a movie or doing online scrabble competition. LivinLifeOutloud.
Of course, enjoying your own company does not mean rejecting relationships or believing that people should do everything alone. The ideas explored by Kim and the growing acceptance of ohitorisama both highlight something much simpler: a person’s happiness does not have to be placed on hold until they find a partner. Learning to enjoy your own company, pursue your interests, and build a fulfilling life can be valuable whether you remain single, enter a relationship, or move between different stages of life. Being comfortable alone can also help people better understand what they genuinely want from future relationships rather than choosing one simply to avoid loneliness.
I don't have to earn respect from grown adults in another family and buy them gifts as they actively hate me for no reason.
Ultimately, these posts show that being single and living alone can offer plenty of freedom, independence, and opportunities for self-discovery. At the same time, like any lifestyle, it can also come with challenges, including loneliness, financial responsibilities, and the pressure of handling everything on your own. Whether someone chooses to stay single, live independently, pursue a relationship, or build a life with a partner is deeply personal. There is no single path that guarantees happiness, and what works beautifully for one person may not feel right for someone else.
Well, today’s posts highlight many of the little joys that can make single life feel surprisingly fulfilling—from enjoying complete control over your space to making decisions without having to compromise. Do you agree with the benefits people mentioned, Pandas, or do you think life is better when shared with a partner? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
I can make a simple mistake or wrong decision with out someone making me feel guilty and I don't have to apologize for things out of my control.
No one calling me 5 times from the grocery store where they were sent with a list of 3 items.
Not being criticized for sleeping with clothes on is so specific and so absolutely relatable. Shook me.
Being able to get up at 2 or 3 in the morning and making a cup of tea and putting my show on till I get tired again.
No one will make fun of my new retro-style bedding set made of unbleached cotton with imitation hand-embroidery.
