Is Being Single Overrated?

So lately I've been seeing a lot of BuzzFeed and HuffPost articles about single people celebrating their "single-ness." Don't get me wrong, I agree with these choices to some extent - even if it seems like I don't approve of some of it sometimes to my friends. I am not single, nor have I been for over five years; but to be honest, part of me wishes I had taken that time (like in college for example, from ages 18-22ish) to be single and explore who I was, etc. But I started dating my boyfriend when I was 18, and now I'm 23. Even though I never got to do any of that single stuff, I still love you, Vincent! But I say all that to let you know that I understand that people need those times, and even through their 20s and even into their 30s to explore their world, themselves, others, and relationships. I'm certainly not judging those of you who have decided to be single and not have children or anything and are those ages or older. I respect everyone's life choices, and so should you.

I mention all of this stuff because I feel that a lot recently, like I already said, lots of places all over the internet seem to be very anti-relationship/anti-children. And part of me really can't understand some of it. I don't have any children, nor do I plan on having any very soon. But I love kids, and I think they give a lot of people the perfect reason to live and be better people. I know a ton of parents (including my own) that would give everything for their children, and they could not be happier with the life they now have with kids.

I had this conversation with some friends and my younger brother last night. All of us agreed that none of us are anywhere near ready to have children. And the three of them aren't even in relationships nor have someone in their life to have children with. Ain't nothin' wrong with that, though. We're all between the ages of 21 and 25. Which, in my opinion, are all very young ages to have children. Not to mention our low maturity levels, which also plays a large factor in the decision to not have kids anytime soon. But I will also say this: lots of people are sometimes thrown into parenthood at an extremely young age, and though many struggle with it, and never learn to do it quite well, plenty get into a rhythm and grow up, learn to parent the right way and love their kids like nothing else. So there's always that. I hate when I hear people judging young mothers and fathers who accidentally got pregnant in their teen years. They make as good parents as the next person - if not better sometimes.

Anyway, it drives me crazy to see articles about being single being the greatest thing ever. Sure, it's great. You can live for yourself, go out and party, hang with friends, drink and drink and drink. (And trust me, I know some of these things seem super appealing and maybe even are, and I can agree - with the exception of the partying maybe). You can worry about yourself, and only yourself. And it's nice, yeah. With a significant other and/or children, you have a lot more people to provide for, and you may have to work long, hard hours at your job to pay the bills, put food on the table, etc. You may have more responsibility, but, is that necessarily a bad thing? You learn to grow up, and live your life for others ahead of yourself. And it provides all that, along with a sense of pride. So sure, you may not be able to go to that party tomorrow night and drink until the sun comes up, and you may be cleaning up poopy diapers all night instead, but... You're making someone else happy and content (as well as clean), and maybe that's better than feeling sick and hungover after a long night of drinking and partying.

I think it's also important to mention that there are these people called "babysitters." When you need a night out every once in a while, call one up (I'm available, for example), and enjoy yourself. Also, kids have early bedtimes, so I mean, feel free to stay up late to watch some Netflix with a nice glass of wine - who cares if work comes early? Live a little.

This whole post was all very jumbled, I feel like. But being single is great - I was single a long time ago, but I do remember some of the freedom I had then that I don't have now and I will admit that it was pretty damn awesome. But I think I actually like being in a relationship better. And I'm looking very much forward to having kids in the near future.

So, if you're single and writing some stupid article or something on BuzzFeed or the Huffington Post, take into account that you haven't really experienced everything yet, so you can't just bash parents and their way of life. Also, BuzzFeed articles are... I think, made specifically for single people who might not mind ending up living with 100 cats instead of a significant other or children. Just sayin'. Not judging.

But if you are single and you don't want a boyfriend/girlfriend or whatever right now, then live it up. Enjoy this time you have, embrace it, love it, be wild and free and young. Drink, party, have fun.

To answer the title of this blog post, well, I can't. And no one really can. Be single, be in a relationship, drink, party, have kids; do whatever makes you happy. After all, isn't that all that really matters? I told you my own personal preference, but who's to say that that's how YOU too should live your life? Have a little fun in life - you only live once.

I hope all of this makes some sense, haha. My point is this: this is a judgment-free zone - I respect everyone's life choices. Cats, drinks, children - you could have it all if you really want. Hell, why not give it all a try?

xoxo,
Clare