By Marlo Heresco
Being alone does not equal being lonely. I’m sure millions of single people have recited this before me. The fact of the matter is, I love being single. There’s so much freedom to do whatever you chose. I answer only to me…for everything. Dirty laundry and dishes are my own. Every dollar I spend is between Visa and I. Every penny I save stays in my account.
I’m okay with the fact I eat dry cereal out of the box. I’m not really one for dairy products anyway so this works for me. If there’s an empty container in the fridge it’s because I put it there. I eat when I’m hungry not because it’s time and I cook when I feel like it, not because he’s on his way home. I’m not required to leave notes…which makes sense because my dogs can’t read anyway. Things get done when I feel like doing them and not a minute sooner.
I have learned to laugh at myself and have to admit I can be very annoying at times however, I have also learned to appreciate my own idiosyncrasies, which is not something I should, or could, expect from a man.
When I head out for the day I say good-bye to my dogs as though I’m never going to see them again. I explain where I’m going and when I’ll be back. I’ve convinced myself they understand. Doing this same explaining to man would only irritate me.
I don’t have to compromise and accept arrangements that don’t work for me. The toilet seat is always down because well, that’s where I left it. When I go to bed my entire house is silent. There are no muffled sounds of channel surfing or IM chats. I can read in bed as long as I like, completely undisturbed. The lights are left on…or off and wet towels are always hung to dry.
I go ‘wherever’ for as long as I want and I get back whenever I get back. I don’t need permission to have a sleepover or last minute travel guests. I can play with whomever I chose, no questions asked.
…and then there’s dating. How great is that option? I can date whomever I want or don’t want. I can say no without reason because, well, I don’t need one. A little romance here and there is enough to keep this girl content. The boyfriend experience without the boyfriend. I do not have the desire to have ‘someone’ beside me in every photo. My younger years have seen me crop and cut more than I care to remember.
I am completely one-hundred per cent self-sufficient. I earn it. I spend it. I break it. I fix it. No questions asked. I enjoy my alone time and am involved with friends enough to keep me sane and in the loop, not because it’s expected of me. I am content with my life and truly do enjoy my own company. My schedule is my own. Last minute lunches or world travels planned months in advance are my business. I didn’t get groceries today so I’ll grab them tomorrow…if I get around to it.
From being single I have learned to rely on myself, to fulfill my own needs. I have traveled many parts of the world that I probably would not have done had I been a couple. I am self-employed. I am independent. I am free. I am happy and no, I’m not lonely.
