If you are single, you probably feel like you are the “third wheel” in your own life. You’re not the person who is always on the phone, always begging to meet a guy or girl, and you’re not the one who is constantly grabbing a late night dinner with someone.
You feel like you are ‘third wheeling it’
When you’re single, you may feel like you’re being “third wheeled” by friends who are in relationships. This can make you feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, being a third wheel can have some benefits.
Generally, couples are nice people, and you can be a good friend to them. But, as a third wheel, you can do things you never would as a single person. Some of the things you can do are:
For starters, you can be more active in groups. If you’re a third wheel, you can go to a movie or go hiking, as long as you don’t get into the group. You can also talk about important topics. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself and your friends.
You don’t have someone to grab a last-minute late-night dinner with
There is a lot to be said about being single. Obviously you don’t have to worry about a partner’s impending nuptials, but at the same time being a solo act comes with its own set of pros and cons. One of the most common is the dreaded dinner date. Whether it’s because you have a snobby boyfriend or your wife is in the mood to eat you out of house and home, you’re not exactly at your happiest. Plus, being a solo act is just plain lonely.
Luckily, you don’t have to feel as lonely as you might. Here are a few ways you can make the most of your single days. Some of these tips are a bit obvious, while others are more of a learning experience. But if you’re able to identify these common pitfalls, you’re well on your way to being a happily single individual.
You’re more likely to pursue loftier career ambitions
Many single people are much less likely to pursue loftier career ambitions, according to a new study. Single women report lower desires for pay, compensation and professional development than their male peers, but that is not the case for women in relationships. In fact, women in a relationship report a desire to work long hours and travel, which are things that single women are less likely to do.
A group of researchers at the University of Chicago analyzed the responses of 355 incoming MBA students who were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their career goals. They found that the answers to the questions varied depending on whether or not the answers were shared with the other students. When it was revealed that the answers were shared, the single women in the sample showed a more assertive and ambitious side. However, when the questionnaires were anonymous and the answers were not shared with the other students, the single women in the sample showed softer ambitions.