How to enjoy being single: 10 tips for thriving on your own

Hear ye, hear ye, my sweeties! Did the title catch your eye? Perfect. FIRST THINGS FIRST, let’s bust the myth that being single means being lonely.

The definition, as found on the internet:

n.: The state of a person who is old enough to marry but is not, and has never been, married. 

OK, feeling like you want to end it all? Hold off on putting on La Traviata and turning on the gas. Let’s take another look and find 10 lovely things that come from the sacred state of singledom.

1. Make your living space your personal sanctuary

Whatever the layout of your home, what matters is creating spaces that feel like you:

 In a shared house: a cosy desk area, shelves that are all yours and agreed ground rules that help you feel at home

 At your parents’ place: make your room your own and talk about how you can have some freedom 

 In a studio flat: flexible décor that changes with your tastes

There are as many options as there are people on Earth, so forgive me for not going into them all ;)

 Bonus tip: Establish rituals that make a place feel like yours (breakfast in the sunshine, yoga by the window...). These little routines can turn anywhere into your own space.

2. Deep friendships: build your chosen circle

Being single offers a unique opportunity to build genuine relationships:

Organise themed evenings (music quizzes, board games, creative workshops, exercise sessions, etc.)

• Start group projects (an urban vegetable garden, a shared blog, an ethical AI project, etc.)

  Create rituals with friends (Sunday brunch, a monthly walk, a morning swim — for the lucky ones)

 Tip: Set up a WhatsApp or Messenger group — or even a letter-writing circle — called "Let’s make plans" to make spontaneous activities easy to arrange.

3. The luxury of healthy selfishness: own what you want

Make the most of this time to:

 Say yes without checking with anyone: a weekend getaway, trying a new restaurant

*

 Say no without feeling guilty: cancel an evening out, take a break from screens

•  Changing your mind: swap a cinema night for a night out in town

 Exercise: Keep a list of "things I fancy doing right now" and tick off at least one each week.

4. Feel-good rituals: little everyday joys 

Create your own little moments of joy:

•  Your morning coffee while listening to your favourite podcast

•  An evening walk to switch off

•  A Sunday bath with music and a candle

 Another idea: Set up a weekly "date with yourself" (an exhibition, a solo cinema trip, sitting at a café terrace on your own...).

5. Travel and outings: freedom in action  

How to make the most of your flexibility:

•  Solo travel: start with a mini-adventure (one night in a hostel)

•  Cultural outings: sign up for local newsletters

•  Solo dinners: choose welcoming counter seats or terraces

Top tip: Make an "I’d like to..." list of things to do when inspiration strikes.

6. Keeping romance light: everyone has their own style  

Find your balance:

•  Flirting without pressure: explore dating apps and see where they take you

•  A break from romance: focus on yourself for a few months

•  A friend with benefits: if you’re both clear about it and comfortable with it

To repeat myself, there are as many ways to have relationships as there are people on Earth. This list is, of course, far from exhaustive.

TO AVOID (for everyone on Earth): Forcing yourself to date someone just because you’re afraid of being alone.

7. Personal projects: the energy that comes with freedom  

Make the most of your free time:

•  Learning: an evening online course, a weekend workshop

•  Get creative: blog, podcast, crafts

•  Exercise: work towards a challenge (a race, a hike)

 Method: Take small steps — spend 30 minutes a day on your project.

8. A virtuous circle: surround yourself with positive energy  

Be selective about your relationships:

•  People who lift you up: those who bring out the best in you

•  Toxic people: gradually spend less time with them

•  New connections: join Meetup groups

 Try this: List five people who make you feel good and plan to get in touch with each of them this month.

9. Embracing solo pleasures: a way of life  

Make these things your own again:

•  Eating out solo: sit at the bar for a more sociable experience

•  Going to the cinema alone: choose a daytime showing for a different atmosphere

•  Solo travel: start with an easy-to-navigate European capital or, if your language skills aren’t quite "fluent", a getaway closer to home in France

10. A winning mindset: single and full of life  

Look at it differently:

•  Not: "I’m alone"

•  But: "I’m free to..."

•  Not: "Nobody loves me"

•  But: "I love myself, and I choose who I love"

 Affirmation: "Being single is a rich and necessary part of my personal growth."

Being single gives you the luxury of:

• Get to know yourself without filters

• Build relationships you choose

• Explore what you really want

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

1. Choose two tips to put into practice this month

2. Write down three things you like about being single

3. Share this article with a single friend!