All Living single Articles

A few years back, Marla Thomas received some very good advice. It came while she was working as a waitress and completing her undergraduate degree at Valdosta State University. "One of my 'regulars' was a sweet couple in their mid-50s. They would talk to me about my classes, ask me about my major, what I planned to do after graduation and life in general. I told them that I was thinking Read more...

Becoming single again -- one way or another -- after many years of marriage is without doubt one of the biggest learning curves you might face in your life. That was certainly the case with me. Since I was thrown in at the deep end on the eve of my 40th birthday, I have learnt more about the world and, indeed about myself, than any of the other rites of passage I've survived thus far. Read more...

It is a cruel irony that people who are lonely and desperate to make friends often come across as unfriendly. While some people attract new friends like a magnet, for others it is not so easy. It can be especially difficult for reserved or quiet individuals, who may take time to connect with others. Luckily there are a few simple things you can do to counteract this.  Make an effort: No-ones Read more...

There's a change in the way single Americans are looking at life. The old ideas about society's expectations are giving way to a new mind-set, to new ideas about managing life's most important decision. In my role as eHarmony founder, I get to touch base with many people who are searching for their life-long mate, and I am often astounded by the not-so-subtle change that is taking place. The Read more...

For many, Valentines Day is another reminder of the love that seems to be missing in our lives, causing our abandonment issues to rise to the surface.  Some of us are alone because we haven't been able to find that someone special. The lack of belonging to someone feels especially painful at this time. Some of us are going through a breakup, and our sense of loss and longing Read more...

See also: alone, living single, lonely, loss, love, psychotherapy, single, staying single, Susan Anderson, ThirdAge, valentine's day

I've been working with heartbroken people for over 25 years as a psychotherapist. I've listened closely as they tell me they've been abandoned again and again, can't seem to find someone, can't get a quality relationship to last. The truth is that they are experiencing invisible barriers that prevent them from finding the right love. The first step to overcoming these barriers is understanding Read more...

See also: couple, fall in love, find love, living single, love, relationship, romance, single

We've all heard the old saying "The grass is always greener on the other side," meaning people often think others' circumstances are better than their own. I think this often applies in the dating world. The single people think married people have it so easy, having found a soulmate and never having to worry about the dating scene again. No navigating the stormy waters of blind Read more...

Nov. 28 -- Aside from Valentine's Day, Christmas is the time when you're most aware of being single. You have a calendar full of Christmas parties and no date to any of them. There's nobody to kiss under the mistletoe or when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. And perhaps the most dreaded thing is having to face relatives who ask why you're not married and settled down yet. Read more...

The cliche of females being the chattier sex proves true, at least in female-centric monkey groups such as macaques, a British study found. Female macaques made 13 times as many friendly noises as males, two researchers from London's Roehampton University found in a study. Nathalie Greeno and Stuart Semple listened to a group of 16 female and eight male macaques living on Cayo Read more...

She's not going to tell you how to satisfy your man! And she definitely won't tell you what you can do to make him pop the question! On the contrary, in her first issue of Singular, a Los Angeles magazine devoted solely to singles, what she tells you is this: You don't need him (or her) in the first place. Kim Calvert will not tell you "I think it's so sad that people are buying Read more...

Travel alone to develop your independence.   Wallow in a broken heart. This gives you time to heal from any previous relationship problems.   Spend a weekend with a married couple your age. You will see marriage is not the ideal state you might imagine it to be.   Don't stay home all night. Live a little and enjoy your single status. Read more...

If your goal while traveling solo is to be social and hook up with like-minded fellow travelers, consult our handy travel tips. You'll find yourself in entertaining company and tantalizing conversations before you know it. 1. Make eye contact and smile. This may sound obvious, but vacationers often end up looking stressed and anxious rather than relaxed and friendly. Smile at others to Read more...

Should single women travel by themselves? Beth, 59, e-mailed: "One of my dear friends is getting married this summer. Her parents are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary, and their family is going on a cruise to Alaska. My friend will be married on the cruise. She asked a few friends to come. Most will be couples. "[It's always been part of] my dream list . . . to go to Read more...

In a recent survey, nearly 45 percent of single female respondents said they would not remarry. But that doesn't mean that they wouldn't consider other relationship arrangements. While some would consider living with a man, others want a non-live-in situation. All, it seems, want to maintain their independence. Here's what they said: Joan of Fresno, Calif., e-mailed: "I would partner Read more...

In a recent poll, I asked my female readers, "Do you want to get married?" Of the 105 women who responded, the results were evenly split: 45 percent would like to marry 45 percent don't want to marry 10 percent were undecided Of the 45 percent who were unwilling to tie the knot, here are the reasons they gave: Independence This was the most frequently stated reason. It Read more...

"Ring out the old and ring in the new" -- so goes the axiom for New Year's. Usually folks apply this to resolutions around losing weight, quitting smoking, eating right and exercising more. Honorable goals these are, and perhaps one or two are on your list. But what about your love life? Have you considered changing the way you deal with dating, and turning over a new leaf in the new Read more...

As we approach the holiday season, the familiar tastes, smells, sounds and sights hearken back to earlier times -- times when we were tucked into the traditions of our families, feeling a deep sense of belonging. But many people must face the season alone, bereft of that special someone. The feelings evoked during this time draw us closer to the people in our lives, but returning to our Read more...

If you're unattached but nervous about traveling it alone, these packaged trips may be right for you. Benefits The cost of traveling with a group is often considerably less expensive than when traveling solo. Plus, your itinerary is already planned so you just sit back, relax and put on your walking shoes. Gayla Pius of Capitola, Calif., says, "Travel with a tour group for safety, Read more...

I suspect the pain of being alone is a universal human experience. And I suspect most people seek out relationships to avoid or soothe this pain -- and that they stay in relationships that aren't working for this same reason. Unfortunately, no relationship can relieve the pain of being permanently alone. Even in the best of relationships, there always comes a time when our friends, family and Read more...

See also: alone, dating, divorce, living single, relationships, romance, single, staying single

You're ready to see the world, but you don't have anyone with whom to hit the road? Read on for tips and insights from singles who've gone it alone. Benefits Jane Hamel of Irvine, Calif., said, "I'm more open to meeting others when I travel solo. It forces you to look at things around you and makes you be more 'present.'" Laura House of Severna Park, Md., shared another Read more...