I've
been lying awake (don't ask, my mind is still on this...)
more about that trip, soon... maybe... uhh, one day?) Its a phase WORTH the experience. Single. It's a very huge and
heavy word.
For
possibly the first time in a very long time, I have really started to
embrace this word - single. I feel, though, that there are often
different (no, not fifty...) shades of single. There is the
single-but-still-emotionally-attached single, where you're single on
paper (or, as is the social convenience nowadays, on Facebook) but
you're not really over someone, you're still sitting and mulling over
some things that were meant to be exorcised a long time ago, perhaps
still wishing for a glimpse of those same rays of sunshine again. Then
there is the single-but-you're-sleeping-with-someone single. This is
surely a fun kind of single - no attachments, companionship (hell, maybe
even the sacred F-word... friendship, you fools! Hope you haven't qualified! lol ), and a happy
thought that there is still at least one person in the world left who
thinks you are still attractive. Following on from this one is the
single-but-interested-in-someone single - you're not bound to anyone,
but there is a potential. He (or she) makes you grin, so you're going
along with it. Testing waters but still free as a bird.
Finally,
there is the very right-wing version of single. The shade that I have
come to write about.This particular shade is worn my many married,unmarried and the single. The
well-and-truly-single-in-the-most-dull-boring-and-true-sense-of-the-word
single. The kind where you are single because there is no one you like, no one who likes you (in case you were looking for a bit of an ego-boost - well, 'hahahahahaha' is all that can be said...!), no one who is potentially going to make you grin (or even attempt a weak half-smile for), and there is literally not one spark of excitement in your life. This, folks, is the single, the single I am talking about. The real single deal.
It feels... interesting. Solitary.
I could spout y'all some real dung about this new-found joy of being able to discover the real you and having time for yourself and finally being free to explore and clear out the cobwebs in your own mind...
but, I am sorry, that is complete and utter dung. Whether in a
relationship or not, I have always been the real me, even my fascinating
door-stoppers of textbooks cannot stop me from making time for myself
(and my sunrises) and there are just too many cobwebs in my mind for me
to clear out anyway, single or otherwise. (So guys, if there's
one semi-coherent thought you wish to take away from all this, it is
this: never stop being the real you, whoever you are sharing your bed
space with. Just sayin'.)
When
I saw my cousin's family, and how they bloomed and blossomed from
friendship to husband and wife to creating a family and a home and a
life of their own, it makes me feel so incredibly happy for them. It
also makes me realise what a blessing it must truly be, to live life in a
world you have created for yourself, revolving around the people you
really, I mean really, care for and love. It really reinforces how
little, simple things can give you infinite joy and... meaning that no amount of travelling or zero-laden paychecks can hope to come close to.
I am still trying to navigate how this
whole meeting-people-and-dating thing works, myself. But, like I said,
this is neither a whinge nor a wish. It's just a reflection on how damn
heavy and isolating it feels - single.
You are so right, single can mean so many things. I spent the first 27 years of my life the kind of single you discuss where no one was interested and have tried the others since then as well. It is fun to be able to be free and just ask someone out when the moment is right so being single is fun, but as shy as I am I do much better in a relationship. Great essay sweetie. I am completely sure there are a million and more people out there who find you gorgeous and wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteTrue that Rick true that--just a simple phase and worth going through.
ReplyDeleteThanks you