Open Letter to the Suddenly Single

I have a few friends who have recently ended comfortable LTRs and are making their way into the world as freshly-minted singletons.  For all of you out there who find yourselves similarly suddenly single, this open letter is for you.

Dear SS:

Congratulations! Welcome to the wonderful world of Singles.

As someone who deeply cares about you and your search for happiness... you know, like... as a friend, here is some free advice.

1) DON'T be a tourist.  Some of you just coming out of relationships have a tendency to behave like tourists, like being single is this quirky thing you do while slumming it until the big relationship break comes along.  As serial monogamy goes, it's not a bad angle.  And I'm sure you will be back where you belong with a gal or fella on your arm in due time.  Meanwhile...

2) DO enjoy the ride.

3) DON'T be ashamed of being single.  Or online dating.  Or speed dating.  Or blind dating.  Or hitting on chicks in the grocery store or guys in a club.

4) But DON'T feel like you need to tell everyone in your life every single detail about your online dating, speed dating, blind dating, etc.  Not only does that often bridge the chasm of TMI, but there's also no reason to set yourself up to hear criticism from Negative Nelly's.

5) DO commiserate, share stories, hopes, and disappointments with good friends and those who understand.  Just because you're single, doesn't mean you have to do this thing alone.

6) DO take the time to put yourself first, spoil yourself a little and attend to the things you thought you'd forgotten or outgrown while you were busy putting the "u" in "us."

Love,

Betty

P.S. Are you "Suddenly Single?"  Thinking about making a career out of it?  Going for a Guinness Book Record? What are your DOs and DON'Ts for keeping your single sanity?