It ain’t all bad. Take a break and a moment to realise the plus side.
In unprecedented times such as now, you can become constantly reminded of your single relationship status. Back in the good old days, work, friends, family, going out and other aspects of your day-to-day living would distract you from this fact. However, it becomes hard to not notice you have no ‘boo’ when even Premier Daniel Andrews only permits social visits between ‘intimate partners’, and you’re left binging ‘Cobra Kai’ on Netflix alone.
Yes, it may be easy to just sit and pity yourself, or you could see at this as a total advantage. Although lockdown looms over us, we still have freedom we’ve never experienced before. That is, experiencing some solidarity, being able to focus on what we’ve always wanted to do, and having the opportunity to take a timeout. We tend to forget the independence we are gifted when we are not involved with someone, and now is time to make the most of it. Here’s how:
Enjoy your time alone
Doing your bit for society and staying at home doesn’t mean you need to just stare at the wall until the long-awaited announcement pertaining to a lift in restrictions arrives. It is the ultimate time to treat yo’ self. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is to be grateful for the little things. Get yourself some bath bombs and have a relaxing soak. Pour yourself a glass of rosé and rewatch ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’, or grab a beer and chuck on the footy – with no interruptions. Perhaps, consider a social media cleanse and take a break from your go-to apps for a day or two – watching the rest of the world out and about doesn’t have to endlessly be on your mind. There is no requirement to always be up-to-date with everyone in your contact list right now because, chances are, they are also indulging in their ‘Me-Time’.
Try out a new hobby
If this thought hasn’t crossed your mind, you’d be lying. It’s finally the time to do something for you. You can use this opportunity to embrace your inner Picasso and finally order that painting kit, get your hands dirty and start planting some seeds in your veggie patch, or up-skill by taking that online course in Spanish you were keen to do – Muy Bien! The beauty of this is you don’t have to try and balance your new-found passion with another person, or risk ruining it by sharing it with them. When a couple refers to their hobby in the ‘we’ form, it’s enough to deter you from this type of co-dependence.
Keep moving
When we finally bring ourselves to start exercising, our bodies release endorphins which are the ultimate mood boosters. And who doesn’t want to feel good, right? We’ve all been there at some point when we wake up in the morning and the thought of going into our first push up of the day is daunting. But, that feeling of accomplishment you get after you’re done relieves you from all the pain you felt during. There’s no need to force a Victoria Secret model type of workout on yourself either, it can be as simple as spending your two hours outside strolling around your neighbourhood. Even if it’s not working out that’s getting you active, having a routine that’ll get you closer to your personal objectives is key.
Check up on yourself
A relationship should add to your life, not be the solution. So if you think a partner will fix all your life’s problems, it won’t. The best place is to start with yourself. Have a look and examine what goals you want to achieve, whether you are happy with work, have a supportive network around you, or if something else might be preventing you from taking the next step forward. There is nothing sexier than a single person that is sure of themselves or is making changes to be better.
Have fun
Riding solo is a luxury. It opens up so many doors for unexpected twists and turns, with the potential for literally anything to happen. Whatever puts a smile on your face is worth pursuing – not having to think about anyone else is the process is an added bonus! In order to really reap these benefits, you have to stop fixating on having a significant other and instead be appreciative of where you are at. At the end of the day, the most important relationship you have is the one with yourself.
