I was laying on the beach in Salvador getting ready to watch the sunset with some friends and one of them asked me if I ever found it depressing to be single and photograph weddings. Not at all I replied. The truth is I love photographing weddings. I’m a hopeless romantic and I enjoy being able to capture the magic of the day. I hardly have a minute to think about me, much less think about me being single.

Also, I really enjoy being single. I think relationships and marriages are beautiful, but I also think that being single has its rewards. I just don’t view marriage as being better than being single or vice versa…I feel a list coming on…

Here’s what I love about being single (knew it):

1. I can do what I want. I don’t really have to compromise on much with anyone else if I don’t want to. I don’t have to subtly ask for permission for… well, anything. I can go out when I want, stay in when I want, see my friends when I want and spend all the holidays with my family. I think you get the point.

2. I can sleep with my lappy (also known as my laptop). Ok, I imagine this doesn’t seem like too much fun. I mean, who would seriously pick sleeping with a laptop over a human being. But on nights when I have a lot of work to do, I don’t have to worry about anyone disturbing me.

3. I can travel. Yes, I’m well aware that married people can travel too, but it’s totally different. I can buy a ticket today, pack a bag tonight and hop on a plane tomorrow [clearly all of this is subject to that nice balance in my bank account...]. And when I get to my destination, I can meet new people and have new adventures (keep your minds clean…or not). But seriously, traveling by myself is one of the best things I’ve ever done. (I’ll make another post about this soon.)

4. I know myself. Or at least I get a little bit closer every day. I don’t have to worry about adapting and growing with someone else. I have days, weeks and months at a time to figure out just exactly what I like. I’m constantly challenging myself to figure me out better (no typos there). I date myself. I question myself on decisions. I discover what I love and what males me happy. And this process is uncomplicated because I don’t have to worry about what the effects will be on someone else. It’s just me here. And I don’t have to explain it to anyone.

So to all the single guys and gals, I say this…marriage and relationships are great, but if you don’t have either, then find something to do with your free days. It sucks to let a whole lotta good time pass you by.

And like I said, I was answering this question on a beach in Salvador as the sunset…life is pretty damn good.

Related posts:

1. Black Women Are Single. How is this Still News?
2. Another Year Older
3. Salvador Does Nothing for My Trust Issues