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Whether by choice or circumstance, being single has its own pros and cons. If you are looking to find out the benefits of being a single man, this post is for you.
While it’s great to have someone to share your life with, being single gives you a sense of independence and an opportunity to discover yourself on a deeper level. You have plenty of time to explore the world and follow your passions, and you can also engage in hobbies and activities that make you feel alive. In short, you have autonomy, you are accountable to nobody, and you have the freedom to try new things. Read on to understand the benefits of being single and embrace your singlehood with open arms.
Key Pointers
- A single man can enjoy alone time and pursue his interests without compromises and adjustments.
- He has the opportunity to save as he has fewer responsibilities and can live debt-free.
- Eating the food of your choice, freedom to flirt, and many other single man benefits to know about as you scroll through.
15+ Benefits Of Being A Single Man
Read through this post to find out the benefits of being single that will help you embrace your singlehood.
1. You have time for yourself
One of the perks of being single is having more leisure time for yourself. People who associate solitude with rest and rejuvenation benefit mentally and physically (1). So, you can use your time to travel, read, or do nothing. You don’t have to make time for your girlfriend and live your life the way you want.
2. You can pursue your hobbies
The best thing about being single is that you can pursue your interests and hobbies, which can help with your mental clarity. You can devote your alone time to your passions, dreams, and goals and chart your course free of distractions. Research has shown that people rank ‘more time for myself’ and ‘focus on my goals’ as the biggest advantages of being single (2). So, you could spend a weekend learning to play the piano, studying 16th-century France, gardening, water-skiing, painting, photography, or crafting anything you want.
3. You have more savings
The best thing about being single is that you can enjoy financial security, don’t have to spend money on expensive dinner dates, and have fewer financial obligations, which means you have more money in your wallet and a better bank account to spend on yourself.
You can imagine everything you could do with these savings if you had an influx of money and no regular dates. One of the benefits of being a single man is that it can encourage you to be more frugal and financially self-sufficient. However, that does not mean you will be rolling in money. You may have education loan debt or be the sole breadwinner of your family, taking care of elderly parents. Being single only implies spending less on outings and presents for your partner.
Research finds4. You don’t have to worry about your appearance
When you’re in a relationship, your partner may expect you to dress and carry yourself a certain way. But when you’re single, you can dress up the way you want, keep or shave your beard, or go for any look you want to try. This freedom to express yourself can help with your self-esteem.
That said, being single does not mean you should ignore your hygiene. Regular grooming and taking care of your appearance will get you far ahead regarding your career prospects and social life.
5. You have fewer responsibilities
While being in a relationship is a great feeling, it also comes with certain responsibilities. You have to meet your partner’s needs and devote more time and energy to your girlfriend, her friends, and her family. Being single allows you the freedom of self-governance.
However, this is not to say that you have no responsibilities as a single man. You may have elderly or ailing parents, or you may be the sole breadwinner of your family. Remaining single lets you focus on familial and career responsibilities without worrying about a romantic partner.
6. You can spend more time with family and friends
When you are single, you have more control over your time management, which allows you to prioritize developing deeper relationships with your friends and family. In fact, contrary to popular belief, singlehood is associated with greater social involvement. Compared to those who are married or in committed relationships, single people are more likely to contact and receive help from their parents, siblings, friends, and neighbors (3). You’ll have more time to hang out with your friends and spend more time with your family. You can relax and enjoy the holidays with the people you love and foster your bond with them.
7. You can focus on fitness
One of the benefits of being a single man is that you can focus on your own needs, including how you feel and look. Investing time in fitness and eating a healthy diet is a good way to care for your body. This isn’t just for external appreciation but also for your self-confidence.
Single people generally have more free time at their disposal than people of similar socioeconomic status in relationships, as they do not have childcare or other personal obligations (4). This allows you to spend a part of your surplus time in physical activities. While couples may struggle to find their private time because of various chores, you can keep fit by jogging, practicing yoga, working out, or even meditating as a single man.
8. You can flirt with anyone
When you are not in a committed relationship, you have the freedom to explore the dating world and flirt with anyone you like. A study of 648 single Americans, which included 341 men, found that “men were more likely than women to indicate that they were single in order to be free to flirt around, and because they were not into family making (5).”
Flirting knows no bounds, and you can have the time of your life flirting with anyone you find appealing. There is no one to stop you and judge you. However, make sure it is healthy flirting and you are not crossing boundaries.
9. You don’t have to remember important dates
Remembering important dates is crucial in relationships and can form part of the fundamental common ground that defines the relationship. On the other hand, remembering important dates is a frequent conflict in romantic or married relationships. The best thing about being a single man is that you don’t have to keep track of important dates pertaining to your relationship.
That said, you should still remember to wish family members and friends on their birthdays and anniversaries. Human beings are social creatures, and part of being a social person is to celebrate the milestones of your loved ones.
10. You can be yourself
The best thing about being single is that you can be yourself without pretending to be someone else. You have the choice of living life on your terms rather than the terms that are expected of you. You are not required to change your opinions or views for anyone, and you are free to express your feelings without the need for validation from others.
11. You can be self-reliant
Self-reliance is one of the positive things about being single. It teaches you to deal with problems and challenges independently.
You do not have to rely on others to pay your bills, buy groceries, or run errands for you. It can make you a strong, independent person, even emotionally strong, which means you know what to do and aren’t afraid to do it. As a result, you will become more adept at dealing with life’s challenges on your own.
Being single also means you can be more comfortable with yourself and enjoy doing activities you like on your own. Writing about his experience with singlehood, blogger Stefan A. Howard shares, “Since I moved to Florida from Mississippi in 2013 I started going out on my own and engaging in activities I like for myself. To this day I make it a habit to get myself together and go the the movies alone just to enjoy my own company. It’s like a me date where I put my best clothes on and just enjoy a evening on my own. I do this because I am showing myself appreciation and respect, but move of all self love. I don’t need to take an individual out or be in a group of people to feel like I am someone (i).”
12. You don’t have to compromise
Relationships can be complicated and require a lot of compromises. One of the advantages of being a single man is not having to compromise. Being single means you don’t have to make compromises like visiting places you don’t want to or attending events with people you don’t care about. You can watch your favorite football match on TV and do whatever you like without being bothered. It allows you to exercise your spontaneity to the fullest extent.
However, just because you are single does not mean you do not have family obligations or friends. You may also be a single father. This implies that there will be times when the needs of your near and dear ones will take precedence over your own. Consider that as a part of life as an adult and carry out your duties with grace.
13. You can focus on your career
One of the benefits of being a single man is that you can work late and come home whenever you want because you don’t have a partner who complains that you don’t spend enough time with her. You can focus on your career and enhance your professional development. Consider enrolling in online courses, attending networking events, or taking on additional projects at work to enhance your skills and career trajectory. When you don’t have to share your free time with another person, you can be much more focused on your work.
14. You can be debt-free
Couples can have many different debts, from mortgage and school loans to car loans and credit cards. Sometimes, partners come with financial baggage. Relationship conflicts can arise when one partner has more debt than the other or is debt-free. Being single has its advantages when it comes to debt. It can encourage financial self-sufficiency and help you save for emergencies.
That said, being single does not mean you can be debt-free. Both single men and women have significantly more education loan debt than their married or cohabiting counterparts. Also, men with no credit card debt are more likely to not be considered marriage partners as it is seen as their inability to get credit, which suggests financial immaturity (6). So, while being debt-free can have a lot of benefits, it does come with some limitations.
15. You can have food of your choice
You have complete freedom to eat whatever you want, whenever you want, and you don’t have to ask someone what they’re hungry for or make any brunch concessions. You can continue to eat your favorite pizza, sandwiches, salads, canned beans, or steamed potatoes. You are free to order whatever food you want and are not required to share any. However, you should make healthy food choices so you do not harm your body in the long run.
16. A chance for deeper friendships
Being single allows you to strengthen your friendships. It gives you more time and flexibility to invest in meaningful connections. Without the commitments and responsibilities that come with a romantic relationship, a single man can focus on building strong bonds with friends. This may involve spending quality time together, engaging in shared interests, and being more present in each other’s lives.
17. A more mature understanding of love
Being single gives a man a realistic understanding of love. Without the complexities of a romantic relationship, he can reflect on personal needs and values, gaining a deeper awareness of various forms of love, including self-love and platonic connections. Living a single life requires you to be comfortable with yourself. You learn what you value the most and what you need to feel loved. This realization helps you make more mature decisions about future romantic relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a man live single forever?
Most people contemplate ‘Will I be single forever?’ The answer could be yes. Living a single life is a personal choice, and many men are successfully living a single life for the rest of their lives. Despite some disadvantages, such as having too many friends, being less financially oriented, and being more sensitive and judgmental, single men can be the happiest men with self-sufficient emotional stability and a strong feeling of self-determination.
2. How can being single help with recovery from past relationships or trauma?
Being single provides an opportunity to focus on oneself and engage in self-discovery. It allows you to reconnect with your interests, goals, and values without the influence or demands of a relationship. Additionally, it provides you the time and space to heal from past relationships or trauma. Moreover, being alone gives you the time to process emotions, reflect on past experiences, and gain clarity about what you want and need in future relationships.
3. What is the best age for a man to be single?
There isn’t an accepted “best age” for a man to be single because it’s arbitrary and depends on every individual’s circumstances, preferences, and aspirations. Each person’s journey and timeline for relationships and partnerships are unique. Most importantly, one must pursue their path and make decisions consistent with their values, objectives, and well-being.
Being single is not all terrible, after all. In fact, the benefits of being a single man are plenty. can be liberating as the privacy gives you the time and space to figure out who you are and what you want from your partner and your life.
Blogger and fitness coach, Zaid Omar says, “Even though I may sometimes think about how it would be nice to have a life partner, I can’t deny that I am happy with the way things are. Less stress. No more fights. No more jealousy and insecurity. I have more space and time to think about what I want to do with my life right now. And I am taking my own sweet time to figure out what I want to do next (ii).” Like Omar, use this time to focus on your personal growth and health. People who learn to love themselves and enjoy their own company may also understand their partners better. If you are a single man, use this time for self-care and to prepare yourself for your next relationship.
Infographic: Types Of Men Who May Be Single
You may have noticed there is a connection between all single men. It is their job, other people’s perspective of them, or something else that keeps them single. So there might as well be types of men who are mostly single. So if you are single, find out who else is. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Benefits Of Being A Single Man
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Curious about the perks of single life? Discover the freedom, self-discovery, and adventures that await! From independence to personal growth, explore the top 10 benefits of being a single man in today’s world.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Being Single & Happy As A Man | Real Talk.
https://xagonspeaks.wordpress.com/2019/12/03/being-single-happy-as-a-man-real-talk/
ii. 9 Reasons why I prefer being single and what I’ve learned about being in a relationship.
https://zaidomar.medium.com/7-reasons-why-i-prefer-being-single-and-what-ive-learned-about-being-in-a-relationship-8843698f1712
References
- Morgan Quinn Ross et. al.; (2024); The tradeoff of solitude? Restoration and relatedness across shades of solitude.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311738 - Menelaos Apostlou et. al.; (2022); What Makes Single Life Attractive: an Explorative Examination of the Advantages of Singlehood.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364091840_What_Makes_Single_Life_Attractive_an_Explorative_Examination_of_the_Advantages_of_Singlehood - N. Sarkisian et. al.; (2016); Does singlehood isolate or integrate? Examining the link between marital status and ties to kin, friends, and neighbors.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Does-singlehood-isolate-or-integrate-Examining-the-Sarkisian-Gerstel/0a316daf5949dc66113d266354b9eb76400e2952 - Daniel Puciato et. al.; (2021); Physical activity and socio-economic status of single and married urban adults: a cross-sectional study.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8588853/#sec11 - Menelaos Apostolou et. al.; (2020); Singles’ Reasons for Being Single: Empirical Evidence From an Evolutionary Perspective.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7218110/#S5 - Feneba R. Addo; (2018); Debt, Cohabitation, and Marriage in Young Adulthood.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6045913/#S16 - Rising Share of U.S. Adults Are Living Without a Spouse or Partner.
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2021/10/05/rising-share-of-u-s-adults-are-living-without-a-spouse-or-partner/
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