Have you been single for a while, maybe even longer than expected? When you go through a long period of singledom, the reasons why aren’t always super obvious—but that doesn’t mean you should lose hope!
There are plenty of reasons for being single, and once you understand yours, it’ll be easier to move forward and start dating in earnest (if that’s what you want). That’s why we’ve set up this comprehensive quiz to answer the question: Why am I single?
Questions Overview
- I'm open to it if they meet my standards.
- Not right now—my schedule is packed.
- No thanks! Meeting people makes me nervous.
- I honestly don’t know if I’m ready for that.
- Someone super talented and successful.
- I barely have energy to eat and sleep; I don’t think about my ideal partner.
- Someone kind who’ll see the real me.
- My ex.
- Ask them to explain their reasons in detail.
- Shrug it off. I have other things I’ve been meaning to do anyway.
- Say it’s fine. Honestly, I was a little nervous about going out.
- Wonder if they’re blowing you off. It’s happened in the past.
- They don’t check all my boxes. Next!
- They were nice, but that date was so long. I don’t have time for this.
- They were great, but I felt so nervous. I wish I’d spoken up more.
- They were nothing like my ex.
- Finding the perfect life partner.
- My career.
- Breaking out of my shell.
- Fixing old mistakes.
- I plan my perfect wedding.
- I work. It’ll pay off later if I go the extra mile now.
- Something quiet. Reading, gaming, maybe watching TV.
- I scroll through memories on social media.
- Maybe a little, but they weren’t right for me.
- Nope. I was so busy, we just kind of faded away.
- I’ve never had one.
- Yes. I think about my ex a lot.
- Flirt back! Let’s see what happens.
- Let them down gently. I don’t really have the energy to flirt right now.
- Wait…they aren’t really flirting, right? I’m probably reading into things.
- I’ll try and flirt, but honestly, I’m thinking of someone else.
- Occasionally, when I think they’re worth the trouble.
- Nah, I prefer to focus on my work, friends, and hobbies.
- Uh, no? That’s scary.
- Sometimes, but they all remind me of my ex.
- I look for someone new and better for me.
- I’m a little sad, but I have plenty to distract myself with.
- I stay at home by myself for a while, eating all the ice cream.
- I call them. I think we have a chance of working this out.
- Only if I made extra sure they were the right person.
- Of course not! I have way too many goals for the future.
- Sure, if meeting people was that easy.
- Totally. I was settled down for a while, and it was such a happy time.
- A little, but finding the perfect match takes time.
- No. I have friends and work, and I’m often busy.
- Maybe? I’m kind of used to it by now.
- Yes. I think I’m still a little raw from my last breakup.
More Quizzes
Finding Happiness While You're Single
Do you wish you could stop asking yourself, “why am I single?” After all, being single isn’t a character flaw; it’s just where you’re at in life. Even if you’re working up to dating again and finding that special someone, being comfortable with your relationship status will make the process feel more hopeful and less urgent.
Change your perspective. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have (like a relationship), think about all the good things in your life—and the perks of being single. For example, it gives you more time to work on yourself and chase your dreams, the space to figure out what you really want in life, and the chance to take it slow while finding the right relationship. Although you might not want to be single forever, you can enjoy it while you are.
Focus on your goals. Forget your frustration with singlehood and give yourself a confidence boost by finding other goals and projects to work on while you have the time. The goal could be a milestone in your career, a hobby you want to master, or simply making time for self-care in your daily routine. Learn new things and enjoy the ride!
Spend time with your friends. Friends can be a valuable source of fun and social support, especially when you’re single. Be sure to keep up with them and make plans regularly, even if you’re so busy that you just chat with them on the phone sometimes. You might even ask your friends for dating advice; while you’re not obligated to take their advice, it can help to get someone else’s perspective on your approach to dating.
Develop new expectations. Ask yourself: what do I need in a partner? Write down a short list of 5 to 10 must-have qualities in a future partner, like “sensitive and caring,” “adventurous,” or “intelligent.” After that, write a list of deal-breaker qualities that you absolutely don’t want in a partner, like “narrow-minded” or “workaholic.”
Consider both lists: are any expectations too specific or too low? You can tell if your expectations are high because it’ll be difficult to land a date at all. On the other hand, you can tell when your expectations are too low because you’ll have lots of dates but rarely leave feeling satisfied.
Once you finish your lists, you can use them to ensure that your next relationship is a happy and healthy one where your needs are being met.
Meet new people. Meeting new people is a great way to ease yourself into dating again. You don’t have to jump right into a long and serious relationship if you aren’t ready; just enjoy the experience of making connections and getting to know potential love interests. Use dating apps like eHarmony, Hinge, and Bumble, local (or virtual) meetups, and even your friends’ social networks to introduce yourself and chat with some new faces.
Want to learn more?
For more information about dating and why you might be single, check out these resources.
Reader Success Stories
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"I thought that it was quite nice seeing why I couldn't get a girlfriend. I mean I don't really try to that much but it was nice seeing the result and seeing maybe what to improve to even get a girlfriend like that, would be nice."..." more
