Every now and then (on most days!) I ponder my life – where I’m at now and where I want to be. I do this quite often when I’m driving. There’s something about driving and the solitude that I find very calming and almost meditative. I think A LOT when I drive and also enjoy cranking Triple J and listening to some cool tunes at the same time…It’s not uncommon for me to get my boogie on in the car seat!

I wanted to write a heart-felt post today about my thoughts on why I think it is I am single in my thirties, but it hasn’t been easy. For some reason I’ve been putting it off…flicking over to facey, checking my emails, going to the kitchen…procrastinating basically. I knew I wanted to write straight from my heart – as I always do when writing about my life – but sometimes it’s difficult writing about the challenging stuff! You know, the parts of your life you wish were different and that you’re somewhat embarrassed by. But here it goes…

This Is Why I Am Single In My Thirties

To be completely truthful, I couldn’t tell you straight up the one defining reason I am still single in my thirties; but I can tell you it friggen sucks! What’s almost worse, is when people say to me “why are you still single” or “I don’t understand how you can be single” or “you need to stop being so fussy”! It’s like people think there must be something wrong with me since I’m not the mirror image of Bridget Jones (I promise I don’t have any weird idiosyncrasies or kinky fetishes!!!).

I guess it’s just one of those annoying timing things…

My eldest sister, Katherine, is one of those people who has ALWAYS been in a relationship since the age of 16. Some people just find themselves in relationships quite effortlessly, and others such as myself, well, don’t. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been very independent and have never been one of those people who’s needed to be in a relationship in order to be happy. I could go as far as saying I do ‘being on my own’ pretty bloody well….but that doesn’t mean I like it or want to be good at it anymore. In fact, I also do ‘being with someone’ very well too. I just haven’t found the right man to do that with long-term! However, I have been lucky enough to experience deep love 3 times and thought I’d found ‘the one’ 10 years ago. You can read about that story here. It’s my most read post.

The biggest thing missing in my life, is my soul mate

I believe there’s probably a few reasons I’m single at the grand old age of 33 (I’ll be 34 June 21st 2013 – feel free to send me some flowers and love letters – the single blokes reading this ideally ;-)).

• I’m not 100% happy with where I’m at with my career…but it’s heading in the right direction! I put tremendous pressure on myself and have always been ambitious with BIG goals. I’ve calmed down a little bit – I no longer strive to win an Oscar award for best actress one day (not that there’s anything wrong with wanting that of course!) but I would like other meaningful accolades. I don’t really know why I haven’t made it (in my eyes) so to speak, but it bothers me. I do know once I’m a little more happy and settled with where my business is at, I will most likely attract the right man into my life.
• I have probably let great lovers and partners pass me by because they didn’t fit the mold. Yes, I guess I am fussy to a certain degree but I’m also realistic and know myself very well. I like to date a guy I’m instantly attracted to, whereas a girlfriend of mine always seems to date men she’s not overly attracted to but tries to let it grow. I tried the latter as well, and it ended very badly. What do you think? I believe chemistry is vital, especially in the early stages of a relationship. It’s obviously not the most important thing, and I certainly look for meaningful qualities that go far beyond aesthetics. I also understand that the way you see someone can change once you start to fall in love with who they are as a person.
• I keep attracting the wrong guy. And they don’t necessarily all end up being dickheads, they’re just not right for me or vice versa. I need to do some work on why this keeps happening.
• I don’t really date a lot. Again it probably comes down to fussyness, but I also find it painful going out with someone that I then have to reject because I don’t want to take it further. I dislike rejecting people as much as being rejected myself! That’s why I prefer to wait until I know I’m really attracted to someone. That being said, at the end of last year around Christmas I made the decision that I was going to have a really fun summer and go out on lots of dates…and I did and it was great! I need to put that vibe out again methinks!
• Presently speaking, it hasn’t been the greatest time to allow someone into my life. My sister’s accident has been life changing and difficult to deal with. I’ve also been back at home with my family to offer my support, which has also had its challenges. I think once I move into my own place in a couple of months, that will make a big difference. I can’t exactly bring a man home when my mother is sleeping in the bedroom directly above mine!

My Tips For Keeping Positive And Strong Whilst Looking For Love

• This is a hard one, but don’t take it personally. Just because you’re single, doesn’t mean you’re not desirable or lovable. And if you’ve been rejected a few times; more often than not it’s got to do with his or her ‘stuff’ and not yours. Chin up!
• Keep busy. The weekends are really hard when you’re single, so it’s important that you plan your weekends ahead of time with your friends and family so you’re not at home on your own too much. And don’t keep your Saturday night available just in case someone asks you out on a date last minute…a man should lock in a time with you by Wednesday/Thursday at the very latest for a Saturday night date!
• Make a vision board. Cut out pictures of anything that makes you feel happy and positive. You can even do a vision board specifically for the kind of partner you desire (hmmm, I may have to do this myself!). Use images, words and drawings. Have fun with this! There’s no right or wrong.
• Seek some holistic counseling or life coaching to help you deal with your fears and insecurities around love & relationships. And I’m a big believer in doing loads of personal development work either on your own through eCourses and books or with a professional.
• Learn to be happy on your own – first. Don’t ever have the expectation that someone else will bring you happiness…a partner will most definitely add joy to your life, but if you’re not truly happy within yourself, it’ll resurface at some stage.
• Have fun! I’ve often made the mistake of going out with my girlfriends and focusing too much on what men are around, instead of being present with my friends and just having a laugh and a dance. This is waaay more attractive to the opposite sex.

Am I worried that I’m still single at my age? Nah, not really. On the odd occasion I have a moment of panic when I think about having children and not wanting to be an old mum, but it’s so common these days and I’ve certainly got good health on my side! It’s more that I feel like I’m missing out on something meaningful and special that so many people have that I don’t; and that’s what makes me sad and lonely. I feel left out. I feel like I have so much love to give as a partner and a mother, and I want that part of life for myself…why shouldn’t I? I should…and I will. When the time is right.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Do you struggle with being single? What do you do to stay in the dating scene and keep positive? Leave a comment below and please share this with anyone who might benefit from my story 🙂