7 Reasons Why It Rocks to Be a Single Gay Man

Despite the way society can make you feel sometimes, being in a relationship isn’t a magic key to happiness for everyone. Yes, sharing your life with someone special definitely has its benefits, but there’s a lot to love about the single life as well, especially for members of the LGBTQ community. In fact, more people than ever are beginning to realize this and embrace single-hood for the awesome thing that it is. The following are just a few of the best reasons why you should too.

1. Fighting the status quo feels awesome.

The idea that a person, gay or straight, has to be in a relationship in order to prove they’re normal, happy, and well-adjusted isn’t just outmoded. It’s part of the ongoing hetero and homonormative status quo that society still pressures literally everyone to conform to. Deciding you’re not going to do that anymore is empowering. You have the freedom to define happiness for yourself, as well as the right to redefine it as many times as you like.

2. You get to have sex on your own terms.

Sex is hardly something that’s reserved solely for those in committed relationships. In fact, many people would argue getting laid is much more fun when you’re single. Instead of having sex with the same person every single night, you get to date and bed anyone you want. You get to have sex how you want, when you want, and as often as you want as well. You don’t need someone else’s OK first, and that’s a beautiful thing, so give yourself permission to explore the possibilities to the fullest.

3. You have time and energy to pour into your passions.

As nice as being in the right relationship can be at times, a lot of what you are becomes all wrapped up in that other person. That’s exactly why you hear so many married and committed people complain about feeling they’ve lost themselves (assuming they ever found themselves in the first place). However, single life gives you all the space, time, and spare energy you could ever want to discover what really moves you in life. Figure out what those things are, and explore them to your little heart’s content.

4. Self-care can be a priority for you again.

If you’ve ever felt as if single people look better and seem to be in better shape than people in relationships, it’s not your imagination. When people are attached, they tend to get way too comfortable and often let themselves go as a result. (Yes, even gay, bi, and queer men!) Being single gives you the perfect opportunity to get back on track with your physical self-care routine. You have the time and energy to hit the gym as often as you like, meaning you also get to reap the excellent endorphin rushes and confidence increases that come with it.

5. You can reconnect with your social circles.

If you’re like a lot of people, you probably don’t pay as much attention to your friends as you should when you’re in a relationship. Your romantic partner tends to wind up with the best of you, not to mention the bulk of your free time. Your friends can definitely wind up with the short end of the stick, if you continue to see them at all. When you’re single, you not only have time to make the most of your existing friendships, but you have the time and energy to establish new ones as well.

6. Long-term projects are officially back on the table.

Most of us have a running bucket list that we just never quite get around to starting because there are only twenty-four hours in a day. Whether your “something” is writing a novel, learning another language, or something else entirely, there’s no better time to get things off the ground than when you’re single. Long-term projects also help give your life meaning if you’re reeling after a breakup, as well as offer a welcome distraction from complicated feelings.

7. Get to know yourself all over again.

When you’re single, it’s officially OK to make everything in your life all about you for a change. If you feel like changing jobs, moving to France, or dying your hair hot pink, you’re completely free to do so without so much as worrying what someone else will think of it first. You can spend your money how you want, sleep around with whomever you please, and enjoy every beautiful second of it as well.

Of course, there’s a lot to love about being attached to someone special, but single-hood doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves for being just as amazing. Embrace this period of your life for everything that it is!