Dating Diaries: Why being single is a good thing.

By Alexander Broun on Dec 16, 09 04:41 PM

Dating, flirting, romance, love, flowers, puppies and everything else that are soft, fluffy and happy are all deemed to be the ingredients of a content person and a thriving relationship. Dating Diaries wants to look at why being single can be a good thing, as long as its not for long.

Newly converted 'couples' wear this feeling like it's the invisible cloak straight from Harry Potter's wardrobe. However, unlike Harry's cloak, it's not from Hogwarts, doesn't possess invisible qualities, and does not shield the outside world from this soft, cocoon like trance that forms from the debris of a newly formed or happy relationship. Instead, it gives the rest of us a nauseating feeling and works in much the same way as a strong repellent.

When friends or acquaintances remark that they are having a great time being single, I digest the comments with a sprinkle (not quite a pinch) of salt. They have no reason to lie, and I have no reason to doubt, but like Cliff Richard throughout the latter half of the 21st century, annoyingly, the thought stays with you.

Dating diaries is a firm advocate of fun, frolics, love, romance and two people enjoying each others company, I should not be promoting the single life; however, in this instance I am altering my opinion.

A couple of recent observations forced me into this change.dating diaries

Believe it or not, Christmas is almost upon us, and this means that the party season is right around the corner. After writing a recent article surrounding the office Christmas party, and whom one should bring if no significant other exists, suddenly I realised that this period is absolutely marvellous being single! A multitude of parties to attend, strangers to meet and all wonderfully saturated with a large dollop of Christmas spirit. These holidays is a time of sharing, and why not share yourself to the best you can? Wallowing like a soggy, submerged, forgotten mince pie won't help your cause, so celebrate your singleton status!

The other example originates from a recent evening out.

Enjoying myself and behaving responsibly in equal measure (I was responsible for getting everyone a taxi into town, so job done circa 9pm!) I happened to notice that a particularly sweet, happy, and overall jovial friend, suddenly engulfed and possessed by a fit of tears. My friend, grabbing onto a fleeting and clearly lost strand of reception in the club, managed to listen to a recent voicemail left by her 'significant other'. The contents of this message are unimportant, however, the purpose of this nasty, spiteful message, hammered home & succeeded in ruining her evening...

The familiar pantomime then resumed, played out hundreds of times previously, with various clichés of, 'your too good for him', ebbing and flowing that for some reason reminded me of a West end adaptation of what Brighton seafront would sound like if waves could talk.

This scenario confirmed the feeling that this particular friend was so unhappy in this relationship, that Harry's cloak no longer had invisible qualities, but had actually turned into a straight jacket, and instead of providing a snug little nest, was actually suffocating her.

It is for the above two reasons, that this week, my feeling and thoughts are simple, if it no longer fits, or feels uncomfortable, then why not disregard it or look around for a new one? If your not sure, then keep the label just in case, but either way, if something is not making you happy, then address it, and quickly. Why waste your time?