Single Life: What does it mean to be single?

A thought came into my head as I pondered how Valentines is coming soon in about two weeks. I understand that Valentines’ day is focused mainly on couples whether it’s boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife. And I began to think, what does it really mean to be single? Does it mean due to the fact you don’t have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Or does it mean that you’re unmarried? What is the real basis of singleness? What makes you single? Think about that…

As a child I used to think, well, being single means you’re not married yet and the first guy or gal you meet is the one you’re going to marry. Therefore, you’re no longer single. It can be that obvious...sometimes, it isn’t. Anyway, that’s when I realised being single necessarily means you’re not in a serious or committed relationship whether or not you’re going to marry that person.

As a teenager, there is such thing as being a “single teen.” Soooo, of course, that obviously doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be married but you aren’t (of course, in the old days the earliest age you could be married at was 16…). So going back, being single means you’re not engaged in a romantic relationship? Does it really mean that? What are your thoughts and definitions? I would really like to know…do you feel being single should be primarily focused on actually getting married? Or is it just having a boyfriend/girlfriend for social life’s sake? In a Christian perspective, in the end, God wants what’s best for us. He’s got our whole lives planned, which does include our future soul mate or spouse or whatever term you would want to call it. So, should the focus on being single be to wait for right person to be revealed and not bother trying to wipe off the mark of singleness with vain efforts?

I guess that’s all I’ve got…love to hear from you all singles and not singles Being single…what does it mean?

I got spurs that jingle jangle jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, boy, ain't you glad you're single...


Whether dating somebody disqualifies one for being "single" is a topic often batted back and forth on this forum, one with many opinions from many people.

Curiously I have noticed no matter which side of the topic people fall on, they seem to become very firm, almost adamant about whichever way they believe about it. I never see anybody saying "Well you could see it either way." It's always "If you're not married you're single, case closed" versus "If you're engaged or steadily dating one person you can't really be called single anymore, and if you think otherwise you're dead wrong."

...this is my definition of single.

The way I've always understood it is this...

Unattached = no boyfrnd or grlfrnd

In a relationship = has a bf or gf

Single = not married (even if in a relationship), or divorced

Engaged = wedding is in the works

To me, being single means less complication and headaches. And possibly lack of heartache as well.


That's just how I feel though. Maybe one day I'll be willing to take a chance and see what happens. But for now....I'm good.

Being single means (for me):
1. having independence
2. making your own decisions and facing the consequence (good or bad)
3. not having to answer to a spouse/partner
4. can do whatever you wish at any time
5. not sharing any donuts.