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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

A relationship with yourself?

29 replies

MelGrange · 06/11/2019 11:03

Saw this in the Guardian earlier and it got me thinking. I’m 44 and in the early stages of a relationship that is unlikely to last (I’m coming to realise). I don’t know if it’s age but I’ve also realised that I’m not at all bothered about being single. So I thought I’d start a thread on the benefits of being in a relationship with yourself.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/06/consciously-uncoupled-the-joy-of-self-partnership?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

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Sesicilana · 06/11/2019 11:10

It’s amazing. I study psychology and a lot of research actually suggest that women are happier single, while men feel better in the relationship. The only thing that is stopping women to be embrace single happy life is the pressure from society to have a husband and children Hmm

Mackerz · 06/11/2019 11:17

I was single for a long time - 6 years from when I was 30-36 and I met DP. I don’t even like the word single. I don’t know if it’s the word itself or the stigma society places on those that aren’t coupled up.

I used to get upset about it for the first few years, but then discovered travelling by myself. A girl from work has just turned 40, split up with a long term partner and taken a 6 month break to travel round the world by herself (as much as I love DP and DD I was quite jealous when she told me).

It’s quite interesting that marriage rates drop as female education and rights increase. I think any woman who can support herself will weigh up exactly what the benefits to her are, much more carefully.

Mackerz · 06/11/2019 11:22

The benefits of marriage I mean. If you can support yourself why settle for someone who doesn’t add good things to your life.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of men haven’t grasped this yet and looked at improving themselves. This has created an imbalance. Amongst all my single friends I know several, successful, happy, single women but only one successful, happy, single man. The rest of the single men (some of DPs work mates) just don’t make themselves attractive with their outdated attitude.

MelGrange · 06/11/2019 11:32

@Sesicilana

That’s exactly it, I think. Society’s expectations of women are lagging behind women’s education, earning power and rights.

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MelGrange · 06/11/2019 11:37

@Mackerz

Agree. What’s the point in being in a relationship with someone if they don’t add anything positive to your life. If you can support yourself financially then there really is no need.

I think the expression “left on the shelf” applies much more to men, than it does to women, these days.

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Mackerz · 06/11/2019 11:55

There’s another article, also in the Guardian discussing the connotations of the word.

www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/06/self-partnered-emma-watson-is-right-we-need-more-ways-to-be-single?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

SevenStones · 06/11/2019 13:30

I've been single since I left my husband several years ago. For years I was looking for someone else, wanting to be in a relationship, feeling I was missing out on life because I had no one.

I don't really know when this changed, but back in May I realised I fancied a guy from work and all I felt was dread and a hope that it would eventually go away! I told a friend about it and she said, "But don't you want to meet someone you can go out and about with, stay at home with, and have companionship with?"

And the answer was yes. But at the same time it all seemed a huge palaver. Meeting someone, going out, would we be compatible, did I love them, did he love me? Blah blah blah.

I feel I prefer my own space, and to do what I want without having to think about someone else.

Maybe it's because I had such an awful marriage, who knows.

I'm not the only woman in my family that's decided their relationship with themselves is most important. It seems many men are put off by women getting on with their lives and doing what they want.

So I guess my position is that I would consider a relationship, possibly, but I'm not going out of my way to change a great deal in order to have one. Doing what I want is really important to me now I don't have a spouse who did his best to brainwash me into thinking what I wanted was stupid.

noego · 06/11/2019 14:02

I'm single and in love with myself :) There is nothing that society, culture, religion, politics, media can say that will change that :)

Do I have friends of the opposite sex? Absolutely and they are all independent, have their own homes, solvent, social circles, hobbies, families and other friends of the opposite sex.

Do we want to live together, get married or have a "regular" relationship? Absolutely not!!

We are all wise, intelligent, kind, empathetic, compassionate, loving, caring, sociable, uninhibited, open, honest, sharing and above all know our self worth.

It's 2019 nearly 2020. Time to get real folks, some people don't like living in the matrix :)

Have a read up on relationship anarchy.

JacquesHammer · 06/11/2019 14:04

I love the concept.

Saying “I’m single and happy” is never enough for people. I do think we need more ways to be overtly single without questions.

But then I also loved the concept of “conscious uncoupling” - it’s pretty much what we did.

DiabloDi · 06/11/2019 14:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whywouldibeinterested · 06/11/2019 14:31

I am a widower who is happily single. I don't see this changing anytime soon.
My attitude is if i meet someone, great. If I don't, equally great. Too many people make crap decisions when they become desperate not to be single.

Highandlow · 06/11/2019 14:32

I am 30 in Dec. Never had a decent relationship. Beginning to think single is better for me . There is too much pressure /stigma around being single .

FFSnotanotherone · 06/11/2019 14:37

I've recently become single again and I like it. I do miss affection and sex though and am not a fan of one night stands which always make me feel a bit shitty.

AutumnConker · 06/11/2019 15:42

Of course I have a relationship with myself, thinking Joan Armatrading Me Myself I. But I think being a religious/spiritual person I also have a relationship with Our Lord and the Divine.

NameChange84 · 06/11/2019 15:49

I've been single most of my life. If I had to say I was in a relationship with myself I'd have to describe it as an abusive relationship! Very hard on myself, hugely critical and treat myself in a rotten way. I've done everything single childless women are supposed to do and enjoy, gigs and travelling, copious hobbies and interests, long lie ins, wellness trends. Still feel lonely and empty. I wanted children and a husband from as long as I can remember. I'd say being single has been very bad for my mental health. But who knows maybe I would have been miserable either way? I'm a bit of an Eeyore lol.

Interestedwoman · 06/11/2019 15:49

I'm single by choice for a variety of reasons'

'I do miss affection and sex though and am not a fan of one night stands which always make me feel a bit shitty.'

I don't have to put in all the effort I would with a partner, hand jobs, blow jobs, maybe worse.

I have a very satisfying sex life with myself Grin I recommend a mains powered 'magic wand.'

noego · 06/11/2019 16:42

I have a very satisfying sex life with myself grin I recommend a mains powered 'magic wand.'

Grin
NameChange84 · 06/11/2019 16:49

Nah, I can give myself orgasms till the cows come home. I still really miss the affection and the whole "having another human there" thing, in the shape of a man. Totally embarrassing, but I've burst out crying several times after an orgasm cos it's just drummed into me how lonely I am. Sorry to be a debbie downer!

noego · 06/11/2019 16:59

You can't be lonely when you love the one you're with (self)

tuliplass · 06/11/2019 18:18

I read the articles and thought it was great that being single was written about in a positive way.

There are perks to being single - I love having my own space and doing what I want. However, I miss having someone special in my life. I have people to socialise with but it's not the same as having a supportive partner.

I'm going to enjoy being single while I can though.

SonataDentata · 06/11/2019 20:02

The article and comments really annoyed me. To me, there’s nothing positive about being single apart from some really trivial things like having one’s own bed (which some people choose to have in a couple anyway). Travelling the world can be done in a couple too. I’m not the kind of person who’s influenced by societal pressure (never have been) so I know that’s not the reason for the way I feel. I’m just so bloody lonely I see no reason to get up in the mornings any more.

MelGrange · 06/11/2019 22:27

I like the premise of it. Love yourself first and then if someone great comes along, accept them into your life. As @whywouldibeinterested says.

A bad relationship is worse than being single imo but I think if it’s someone that really adds to your happiness then it’s worth pursuing. The problem is the societal pressure to be partnered up makes people settle for shit relationships.

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MelGrange · 06/11/2019 22:28

Yes @tuliplass. It’s the fact that being single is written about in a positive way.

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MelGrange · 06/11/2019 22:31

@neogo. @DiabloDi. Love the attitude.

@NameChange84 could you have a child by yourself? I don’t know how old you are but you could have the child then maybe the husband will come later.

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Interestedwoman · 06/11/2019 23:46

Those who are desperately lonely etc- maybe have some more shite relationships, that put you off the idea? :)

That way you're more likely to delight in the freedom, space and peace of being alone.

Problem solved. :)