The Council Tax thing really gets on my tits.
Here's my situation: 44, single, no parents, estranged from sibling, all friends married with kids, and I don't have any. Single for last 10 years. I'm a total introvert so very comfortable with my own company, possibly too comfortable if I'm honest.
When this first started happening to me, especially with my mates, I found it really hard to cope, especially as I'd just lost my dad (mum died when I was 23 and I still struggle with that even now). When you lose a parent you do sometimes learn who your friends are, so there was a certain amount of purging going on from my side. From 34 to 42 I really shut myself away, just read all weekend, or did the garden, and didn't make an effort because I felt that if other people didn't, then why should I. I'd never spent time with my best mate (she lives 35 miles away) without her and her husband and kids for fifteen years- they come as a group. Another single woman I met once summed it up perfectly - when your friends get married, and settle down, you are no longer a priority, you're an option, whereas they are still a priority to you. It's unbalanced and leaves you feeling let down. So you have to re-balance things.
So I realised I was being a bit stupid. I lowered my expectations a bit - asked if we could meet for coffee half way, just for an hour or so. To my surprise she said yes - she could do with a quick break. That's what we've done ever since, every couple of months. It's not perfect, but it's ok.
The other thing I discovered, was to learn how to do things on my own and enjoy them. I don't earn a fortune, but I do go on Exodus holidays; some of the European ones aren't too expensive, some have meals included, and some do cultural things instead of going shopping, so you don't even have the opportunity to do that. I have alternative stingy months and save my arse off to go. I went on a cycling holiday to Morocco (not everyone's taste, I know) and spent a grand total of £40 in the week. I don't go on them to meet a bloke, but they get me out, get me talking, and I have a holiday instead of disappearing up my own arse at home for a week, which I would probably otherwise do. Some of them are female-heavy, but I've never had a bad one, and usually have a really good laugh. They've stopped me feeling lonely, the women on them are usually awesome and make me realise that hey, life isn't too bad being single. Some of the women I meet are really inspiring, to be honest. They would like to meet someone (I know someone who went on one where there wasn't one bloke!) but they aren't going to stop living because they don't have one.
The other thing I've done is discover youth hostels! I know that sounds sad, but I discovered them by accident after needing to find a bed urgently when I had to stay in London and had no money. They are really pretty cheap when out of school hols, they're all over the place, really friendly, and most have food, or at least a kitchen where you can cook your own if you're shoe-stringing. Take a book, sit in the communal area, and see who's around. I use them a lot for walking in the Lakes and Peaks, and then find a guide who's doing a walk and book on to that. Doing stuff like that can feel v empowering if you're not used to it. Yeah, I'd like a kiss and a cuddle and someone to get heavy stuff with at IKEA and pick me up from the airport, but once you feel like you're getting out there, being single doesn't feel so bad. I've gone from feeling just like you, to thinking, if it happens, that's ok, and if it doesn't, that's ok too.
Whoops! Bit long, but hopefully helps.