THINGS TO SAY TO SINGLE PEOPLE

Hey!! Guess what day it is?? 11th November is World Singles Day…… Wooooohoooo!! What a coincidence! I’m ecstatic😃

Oh my goodness.  I’m going to stop making promises about getting these posts published in a timely manner.  Life seems to have been crazy since I posted my list of What not to say to single people . I was settling in and gettingto know my way around this new life venture. Plus work has been keeping me busy and my day offs are either spent out and about or in bed, Netflix and chilling! Anywho…… I’m finally back as promised with a follow-up post for what TO say to single people.  I am really passionate about this subject, partly because so many people find it difficult to say they are single or being looked down upon but I aint….LOL. So to all my single, married, hooked, its complicated friends worldwide enjoy the read and let me know what you think. As usual I happen to be especially partial to the number 10 when it comes to lists.  So boom.  10 it is.

So for any of you who have struggled to “say the right thing” around single people before — which goes for anyone out there, single and not — I’m hoping this post will at least spark a few ideas.  It is my assumption that people always intend to be kind and encouraging to single people in conversation.  Hopefully this list will  help a few more of those conversations actually achieve that goal.  🙂

Alright, without further ado, here’s what TO say!

Drumrolls please…………….

10. “DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?”

Alright, we have to begin here.  The most important thing in talking with a single person about being single….is whether they even want to talk about it at all!

Some days I’m totally open to discussing it with close friends or family, but sometimes it’s just not the right day or I don’t want to focus on it.  And I most likely don’t want to talk about it at all if I don’t know you that well.  (Ok, minus broadcasting these blog posts to the entire world. :))  But bottom line – giving single people the option about discussing the topic is always a win-win solution.

So if you’re curious, start with this simple question.  It shows you care and aren’t afraid to bring the topic up, but also gives the single person an out they just doesn’t want to talk about it.  And if they don’t – totally don’t take it personally, because chances are it’s probably not.

9. HOW ARE YOU?

On that note, most single people I know are way more interested in talking about other things in their life other than their single status. So I recommend anyone always start with all of the other important stuff in life like careers, travel, hobbies, friends, family, etc.  Chances are, if your single friend’s relationship status has changed or is on their mind and they want to share about it, they will bring that up before you even have to ask.

8.“I NOTICED _.”

Insert: the small, everyday accomplishments and moments in life

Probably the thing that bums me out most about being single is simply not having someone — the same person — to come home to and tell one another all about our days. Someone to notice the little things, and give feedback on them.

Yes, I have many amazing friends and family members who I talk with on a daily basis who serve that role in a way. But it’s different than having the same person be there day after day who can be a constant witness to your life, and for me to be a constant witness to theirs. I honestly think that’s one of the things I hope for most in marriage. Just that simple constant-ness.

So that said, it’s really meaningful when friends and family take notice of the smaller everyday things in my life, and then take time to comment on them. Anything from “I noticed you got your taxes done on your own” to “I noticed your cute haircut” to “I noticed you fixed your IKEA furniture” sounds cocky huh? But it’s not….It actually feels great and gives a sense of accomplishment Haha. I know this is a good thing in any relationships, with those single or not. But trust that it’s really meaningful to your single friends.

7. “I ADMIRE THE WAY YOU’RE LIVING YOUR LIFE.”

On that note, also complimenting single people on the little (and big) decisions they make in life can be really meaningful, especially as those relate to being single.

It might be as simple as “I admire that you installed that new sink all on your own” to “I admire the courage you had to do this and that”.  Details, again, are good.  But also commenting on the big picture is really good.  I can poignantly remember a few times that people have looked me in the eye and said that they are really proud of the way I’m living a meaningful life as a single person, and it brought me to tears.  Just because someone meant it, and took the time to say it.  It means a lot.

Even just typing this, I realize that I really want to directly say this more to my single and married friends, because I so admire how the people around me are living their lives.  As Hallmark would say, I need to “tell them”.  😉

6. “HOW CAN I ENCOURAGE/SUPPORT YOU?”

A lot of times I hear from married friends that they just want to do something to make their single friends feel encouraged, but they don’t know what to do.

In my opinion, usually what’s best is simply to listen and affirm the choices a single person is making to live their life.  But if you feel like you really want to do something, you can ask this simple question.  Chances are, the person’s answer will be something really simple, like “just keep being a good friend” or “you can pray for me” or “keep checking in.”  But who knows, this might open the door for something practical, like helping with yard work, or moving furniture, or going to get an oil change, or something a single person might be tired of doing on their own.  And if their answer is “nothing”, that’s ok too.  That means you’re probably doing a good job as a friend.  😉

5. “WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?”

Again, this is a great question to ask anyone, not just single people.

But specifically for a single person, this simple question lets them know that you (also) think there are exciting things ahead for them besides the potential of finding that special someone.  Dream, hope, brainstorm, plan, and get excited with them for what is ahead.

I know that a lot of single people I know still make future plans with a bit of hesitancy, wondering/hoping if meeting someone would change those plans in any way.  But even if that happens, hey, it’s better to have cool things in the works for if/when you would meet a cool person!  So think and dream ahead together!

4. “ARE YOU WANTING TO MEET SOMEONE (OR DATE) RIGHT NOW?”

I’ve said this before, but just wanted to offer a simple reminder that it’s definitely not a “given” that being single automatically means that you’re wanting to date or meet someone right now.  For any number of reasons, a single person might not be looking to date at the current moment, and might be perfectly happy and content about that.

If they do say that they are wanting to meet someone, and you know a person who might be a potential set-up, only mention that if you genuinely think they would be a good match.  

3. “WOULD YOU LIKE TO _______?”

…go out to dinner?  …go for a roadtrip?  …to cinema?

One of the things that comes with being single is not automatically having a partner to go places with you.  Yes, it’s totally cool to do any of these things on your own.  And yes, single people can totally take the initiative to invite a friend along.  But it does take a little extra planning.

So if you have a single friend, think about some of the small everyday activities that might be fun to do together.  And if you are in a stage of life when you can get away for a few days, you might even think about traveling together.  Any memories made together are always extra special!

2. “DREAM BIG.”

“be picky” and “don’t settle”.

I think a big misconception about single people is that their standards are too high, or that they are dreaming too big.  At age 30, I think I can confidently say that my “list” of qualities I’m looking for in a guy have been dramatically reduced (make that, refined) from what they were 2, 5, or 10 years ago.  I am far from dreaming that I am going to meet and marry the Perfect Prince Charming.  If anything, I think that talking with married friends over the years has made me perhaps too much of a realist about marriage, and I sometimes have to remind myself that I’ll (hopefully) get to have that fun “honeymoon” stage of enjoying totally crushing on a guy before all of the little everyday conflicts or annoyances set in.

So that said, I think single people need to be reminded far more often to dreaming “big” for a great match, rather than being chided to keep those dreams in check with reality.  Remind them of who they are and who they want to meet.  A little more (healthy) hope and dreaming in this area can go a long way for a single person.

1. “YOU ARE AMAZING.  (AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT.)”

I initially phrased this one as, “You are a CATCH”, which I admit I still like best but I think it sounds cocky or too vain. However you say it — You are a catch to the world!  You are amazing!  You are stellar!  You rock my socks off! — I think that the best thing you can tell a single person is why they are awesome just the way they are.  It may sound overly simplistic, or even cliche, but it is so true.  And I think that hits at the heart of what single people — and all people — need to hear most.

There are plenty of competing voices in the world and in the heads of single people trying to shout the opposite.  And some days, when you’re feeling a little down, or lonely, or discouraged, or like you’re the only single person left amongst everyone you know, it’s really easy to let those other voices be the loudest.  But the truth sets you free, baby.  And when good people in your life remind you of the truth — that you are amazing, worthy, attractive, smart, talented, and a “catch” to the world — it changes you.

The world is full of a lot of cool people.  So let’s not let one another forget it.