Life
Online dating may reach some peaks during this time of the year, but if you ask me, summer is the best time of the year to be single. I know I can't be the only one who thinks so. "Research shows that summer is the favorite season for about 30 percent of Americans," Dr. Cortney S. Warren, clinical psychologist, researcher, and author tells Bustle. "It's easy to see why. Summer is associated with vacations, late nights, looking at the stars, and long hours of daylight. For these reasons and more, summer is one of the best times to be single. There's a plethora of activities to do and the weather is nice."
Overall, the summertime is filled with the potential of having all kinds of exciting adventures. When you're single it makes it that much better because you have the freedom to do whatever you want, go wherever you want, and hook up with whoever you want. Best of all, you don't have to share a bed with anyone when it's hitting 90 degrees at one in the morning and you're sweaty AF. Personally, that's probably the biggest plus for me.
So if you're currently single, here are three things you can do in order to take advantage of the season:
1
Embrace Your Free Schedule
"Recognize that you have the ultimate freedom to enjoy your life at a time when the weather is fantastic," Warren says. "So take advantage and do what you want to do! Do what matters most to you." If that means using up some well-earned vacation days and traveling to somewhere Instagram-worthy, then do it. Go to a concert. You can even attend random impromptu events that are happening around you.
"Your schedule is your own," she says. "So do what makes you the most fulfilled."
2
Try Something Completely New
If you're feeling stuck and unsure of what you want to do with your life, the summer is the perfect time to figure it out. "There are so many opportunities to try new things," Warren says. "Don't be afraid to experiment with things you've never tried." If you've always wanted to try surfing, book a lesson. Take a language class, learn how to cook, go apple picking, or even take a yoga class. It can even mean shutting off your phone and being more present in your every day life.
"So many activities occur during the summer — try some and see what you enjoy," Warren says. "You might even meet some wonderful new friends or a love interest there."
3
Focus On What Fulfills You
"An emerging body of research suggests that many single people are actually very fulfilled and happy," Warren says. In fact, according to Dr. Bella DePaulo's recent TEDx Talk titled, “What No One Ever Told You About People Who Are Single," embracing the single life by creating a full life with friends and activities that interest you can lead you to the happiest life. So although many people tend to believe that marriage will make them happier and less lonely than staying single for life, that's not true. If you embrace the fact that you're single, you're going to feel just as happy and fulfilled as you would be if you were in a relationship.
That's why Warren says it's important to create a life that you love as an individual this season. "If one day you find a partner that you want to share that life with, wonderful," she says. "If you don't, enjoy your life on your own with friends, family, and interests that leave you fulfilled." Sounds like win-win to me.
