21 Signs You Might Be Single Forever

✔ Research-backed

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.

Man Feeling He Might Be Single Forever

Image: Shutterstock

“Will I be single forever?” is a question many adults ask themselves. But why? We often fear being alone and single for the rest of our lives. This fear comes from personal insecurities that are rooted in societal norms. While growing up, many of us had thoughts about getting married and having a settled family. But over time, changes in our perceptions occur as we face reality and realize that finding a partner is not as easy as it sounds, and maybe we are not yet ready for companionship and prefer remaining unmarried. If these thoughts match yours, read on to learn about the signs that indicate that you are happy being single and would like to stay that way for the time being.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • If you don’t want to invest your time to impress someone and can take care of yourself, it indicates you like to stay single.
  • If you like to preserve your lifestyle, you may wish to be single since compromising is a part of a relationship.
  • The one who feels happy when the date goes wrong likes being single rather than in a relationship.

21 Signs You Will Be Single Forever

Being single and unattached is highly underrated. You can be single and independent and still have a fulfilling life. Here are some signs you will never get married and that singlehood might be the right path for you.

1. You enjoy your own company

If you are more comfortable with yourself than being with a partner, then a solitary life may be best for you. Likewise, if engaging in unwanted conversations with another person on a daily basis is not enjoyable for you, marriage might not be either and being unpartnered can be a long-term option.

If you feel peaceful when alone, then you’re in great company. Subahu Jain, a writer, expresses contentment in solitude. He shares, “I do not feel a longing for others; if I do not talk, meet, or communicate with others for a very long time, it does not disturb my peace. I am happy alone all the time. If I have my food, internet connection, books, and music, I need not anybody to keep me happy and joyous (i).”

2. You don’t trust people easily

You feel you are better off alone, sign you will be single forever

Image: Shutterstock

A bitter experience in the past or being suspicious by nature makes you wary of people’s intentions. You are unable to let your guard down even with friends. Hence, you feel you are better off enjoying your singleton life than sharing it with anyone else.

3. You have a great life

You have your dream job, a beautiful house, an amazing car, and everything you ever wanted. You spend your spare time with a group of friends or traveling. You are content with your life and do not miss companionship in any way. Why would you mind being a bachelor or a spinster?

4. You like your freedom

Being in a relationship means being answerable to someone.

Instead, if you are single, you enjoy the benefits of being a single man, such as the freedom to live the way you want. You can go for vacations with friends anytime you feel like, keep the house any way you want, and do anything your heart desires. Being single or even a celibate means being your uninhibited self.

5. You are not too keen to date

You have seen bad examples of unhappy couples, making you cautious about entering into relationships. You believe that a relationship eventually breaks, so there is no point in giving it too much importance. Instead, you prefer remaining uninvolved and would rather invest in yourself and your well-being.

protip_icon Point to consider
If you are someone who falls in love too often and too quickly, it may indicate that you may be single for a longer part of your life.

6. You don’t have the time to impress anyone

Self-centered, Signs you will be single forever

Image: Shutterstock

To maintain and nurture a relationship, you need to put in time and effort. And you have no interest in making anyone happy but yourself. If you like taking care of yourself and doing stuff that makes you happy, why invest time in anyone else?

7. You want to preserve your lifestyle

Being single allows you to have the entire bed and closet to yourself.

You have your morning and evening routine in place. You lead a contented and healthy life. The entry of another person might disturb the lifestyle you have chosen for yourself. Hence, you are better off being single.

8. You are too busy to date

You are married to your work, and you want nothing to come in between. If all your time is taken up to fulfill your work commitments, it is logical that you do not have the time to invest in the work of a relationship.

9. You like to pursue your interests

Apart from work, you are involved in other activities that keep you busy and happy. Being single allows you to have free time to develop and nurture other interests and skills. You can even travel and explore places as a solo traveler.

10. You feel happy when a date goes wrong

You go on a date because your family and friends insist you meet new people. However, you hope that things do not work out because you are not ready to date yet. You want to be single a little longer or maybe remain single forever.

11. You cannot get over your ex

You cannot get over your ex

Image: Shutterstock

You had been in a relationship with a wonderful person, but things ended, and now you cannot get over that person. If you are still hung up on your ex despite a considerable time since your breakup, you might prefer being single at least for a while.

12. You get bored easily

It is not that you don’t want to fall in love. You fall in love as quickly as you fall out of it. In the past, you have only had short-term relationships because that is how you like it. You do not like the idea of being with one person all your life. Until you find ‘the one,’ it’s best to be single.

13. You feel shackled in a relationship

In the past, you may have had a relationship where your partner dominated you. The experience has had a lasting impression on you. Now, you feel that relationships will inevitably tie you down, hence it is better to be alone.

protip_icon Did you know?
You may always feel that the other person does not live up to your expectations and does not match your standards.

14. You are not a social person

To meet someone new, you need to step out of your house and make an effort to introduce yourself to people. But you are not a social person. You prefer spending time at home to socializing with friends and colleagues.

15. You fear rejection

You have had your share of crushes and infatuations, but the only thing keeping you from approaching others is low self-confidence. You fear that your advances might be turned down, hence you prefer being single to suffering from the stress of being rejected by a love interest.

16. You want a fairytale romance

Your high expectations might keep you single for a long time.

Image: Shutterstock

You have watched too many romance movies or read romance novels that have made you believe in the ‘perfect romance.’ You believe in meeting your ‘soulmate’ and falling in love instantly. Your high expectations of a partner might keep you single for a long time.

17. You feel the need to be alone to be yourself

In a relationship, one is expected to expose their true self to a partner. But if you are awkward as a person or have self-image issues, then being single may seem more suitable for you. You won’t have any pressure to look or behave in certain ways.

18. You are not aware of what you want

Before getting into a relationship, you need to understand what you would prefer in a partner and what you are willing to give the relationship. If you are still unsure of what you want and what you can give, you are right about staying single for some time.

19. You don’t trust yourself

In the past, you have had some terrible experiences in difficult relationships. Now you want to be cautious and protect yourself from the possible ‘wrong’ person. It has you questioning and a bit afraid of committing to another person, hence you prefer being single.

20. You lose yourself in a relationship

Each time you have been in a relationship, you have made your partner the center of your world and lost yourself in the bargain. You are now afraid that you will again lose yourself if you get into a relationship, so you stay away from the dating scene.

21. You are tired of dating

You will feel worn out after trying all dating apps

Image: Shutterstock

After trying all kinds of dating apps and meeting every person your friends set you up with, you feel worn out. Dating is not alluring to you anymore. In a way, you have given up hopes for love and have chosen to be single.

How To Accept Being Single Forever

If the thought of remaining single and lonely scares you, here are some tips to accept being single and make the most of your life:

  • Pursue your favorite hobby or indulge in activities that you like.
  • Adopt a pet and see how love enters your life.
  • Practice self-care and take time to relax and pamper yourself. Follow a healthy lifestyle with meditation and exercise. Include mindfulness practices to fill your mind with positive thoughts.
  • Make frequent travel plans alone or with your friends and family. It need not be expensive trips and can be simple get-togethers, outings, or camping.
  • Indulge in charity activities or volunteer for social causes. It will give you a sense of fulfillment.
  • Join workshops, social groups, and clubs that match your interests or a hobby you’re tying to pick up. This will help you make new friends and build lasting connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible I’ll be single forever?

Being single forever is a personal choice. Some people can be single and happy for the rest of their lives; these are usually the people who have found self-satisfaction and inner peace with themselves. Others, particularly those who have experienced a traumatized relationship in the past or who have other reasons, such as higher expectations, could be unhappy and lonely with living life alone forever.

2. How long is long enough to be single?

There is no fixed time frame for remaining single. People may be single due to family responsibilities and may consider getting into a relationship later in life. After breaking up from a serious relationship, some people may take much longer to recover; there may also be a reason to remain single due to not meeting the right person.

3. Is it unhealthy to be single?

Being single can be both beneficial and detrimental. Some studies show an increase in physical health issues, such as heart disease, in single people (1). On the other hand, some studies show that single people who have never been married are more likely to be physically active, happier, and healthier than married people (2) (3).

4. What are the benefits of being single?

Staying single can be great for your personal growth, as you get more time to focus on building skills, self-care, and improving your life. Singlehood allows for more independence, especially in changing locations and careers.

If you cannot help but wonder, “will I be single forever,” we hope this article has helped you recognize the signs that you may not be ready for a committed relationship or to take responsibility for someone else. However, that is not something you need to worry about or stress over. Being single does not mean living a lonesome life. Enjoying your own company is not bad and can be quite beneficial. It can help you understand yourself better and also live a carefree life. Hence, make the choice that suits you the best and embrace it.

Infographic: Staying Single Yet Social

So you are single currently. But does that mean you cut yourself off from the rest of the world and stay in a recluse state? Not at all. You can be pretty popular and friendly despite being single. How? The following infographic contains your answer to that question. We have listed a few ways to stay socially active and companionable, even when single. Give the infographic a read and save it for when you fall short of ideas about what to do.

how to stay single yet sociable (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Signs You Might Be Single Forever

will i be single forever_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Are you often content with your own company? Do you prefer to be alone? Check out this video to find out if you were born to be a loner!

Personal Experience: Source

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Marriage Linked to Lower Heart Risks in Study of 3.5+ Million Adults.
    https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2014/03/28/09/55/alviar-marital-status
  2. Embracing happiness when single.
    https://chhs.source.colostate.edu/embracing-happiness-when-single/
  3. Should Women Stay Single?
    https://archive-yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/should-women-stay-single

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and family business consultant, who has earlier been a graduate instructor/advisor, an organizational learning consultant, and hospice volunteer. With around eight years of experience working in the private as well as corporate setting, Sharon helps her clients think creatively and build upon their strengths.

Read full bio of Sharon Gilchrest O’Neill
Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

Read full bio of Ratika Pai
Siddharth Kesiraju
Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching
Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

Read full bio of Siddharth Kesiraju
Benidamika holds a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Assam Don Bosco University and another masters degree in English Literature from North Eastern Hill University. At MomJunction, Benidamika writes on human psychology and relationships.

Read full bio of Benidamika J Latam