Young, free and single sounds ideal -- especially if you're older, with a number of responsibilities plus a relationship that you're not sure is going to go the distance -- but life's not really as picture perfect as a single person either. Even though for some people in long-term relationships it may seem a wonderful fantasy to be able to go out when you want and with whom you want, and come back when you feel like it, those who live the single life know that there's a price to pay for this independent seemingly free and easy lifestyle.



One of the worst perils of being single is that you become a target for every other single person in the room at a party! You don't even have to announce that you're single -- it's as if there's a neon sign hanging over your head saying 'available'. This can be great if there's someone there that you're attracted to and they approach you, but the reality is that for every one of these there are half a dozen others who shadow you're every move hoping that you'll have a dance, or more, with them!

Arriving and leaving social gatherings is another single person's peril, although this is more of an issue with women. Apart from the fact that you can feel a little awkward, especially if you're the first to arrive and have no-one to talk to, it also becomes a problem if someone wants to walk/drive you home and won't take no for an answer -- you wouldn't be the first woman who has had to have a friend lie on their behalf in order to escape an unwanted escort!

If you're happy being single then the perils of time aren't such a priority, but if what you're hoping to find is a life partner and raise a family, then as each month passes you feel that you ought to be in a different position. You envy the people who think your uncomplicated, unattached life is so wonderful! You want to be having their problems of finding a babysitter or worrying about which life insurance will give the best benefits! You don't want to appear desperate to find a life partner and scare away anyone who you're attracted to, but at the same time you know that the single life isn't for you and can't wait to escape!

One of the worst perils of a single person however is that of well-meaning friends trying to fix you up with a date. Even if you're not happy in your single lifestyle, these people can push the best of friendships to the limits! If you're asked to a dinner party there's usually an extra person there who you know has been invited with the sole intention of meeting you. Another related scenario is when an extra person is required to balance the numbers at a social event -- as a single person you become aware that you weren't part of the original guest list but were an afterthought because of necessity!

If you're not a single person but envy their life, think again about how things are for them -- is their grass really greener than yours, or is that just how you perceive it?