On a daily basis, I find myself stuck in the same rut, doing the same things—work, gym, church, work, piano, errands, work, cooking.
It's hard to break out of a routine. Sometimes we delude ourselves into thinking that we have no time for anything else, even if it's something that will benefit us.
It's good to step back and realize that even though we might want to be married and have oodles of children, this time can be used for more than waiting for the right man or woman to come along.
Verily posted an article on embracing our singleness rather than looking at it as a lonely time—or a waste. It's this time in our life that makes us who we are. Married couples don't magically become new people because they're married. Their characters are already formed. So, now is the time to become the person we want to be, instead of waiting for things to happen to us.
Take the time to assess your own life and see what you could improve for your own mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Here are some ideas:
- Exercise. Get outdoors for physical activity. Maybe this means getting into gardening or just walking on the beach. Exercise is a healthy habit that we should have for life. Now is the time to make it a routine.
- Cook. Learn how to use those weird veggies they sell at the farm stand. You may not have a family to cook for, but that's no excuse to avoid the kitchen. Learn how to make different cuisines. Experiment with new ingredients. Make freezer meals for parishioners who are elderly or have newborns.
- Learn about your role models. Find things you'd like to emulate in them. Read about your patron saints. Develop a devotion to your favorite one. Do more spiritual reading.
- Spend time with relatives. Offer to cook them one of your new fancy dishes. Bring a bouquet of flowers. Babysit little cousins and teach them how to do your favorite things.
- Get more grace. Establish daily and weekly routines for prayer, reading, adoration, and confession. Use every opportunity to grow in your faith. Pray novenas all year.
- Volunteer your time. Join a group at your church or a local charity. Teach catechism classes or join the choir.
- Learn how to dance. Teach someone else how to dance. Start a swing dancing group at your church.
- Play sports. Do you like sports? Do you have a favorite team? Do you spend hours every week watching this sport on TV? Get outside and join a local league! Even if it's darts, get out there and meet new people.
- Take art classes. My mom is currently making the rounds of every art school in the area, and she is full of stories and excited about new friends. If you have no artistic talent (like me), try one of those trendy Wine and Paint nights that keep popping up.
- Try pub trivia. Some places need teams, other places need members. Visit your local pub and get involved. I have crashed and burned at pub trivia—and I've beaten the pros. It's always fun.
- Clean your closet. You know those awesome deals you got on clothes in college, but you have yet to wear them? Give them away to a worthy charity. De-cluttering your life has the added benefit of helping someone in need.
- Write to faraway friends and family. Everyone loves getting good mail. Instead of communicating exclusively over Facebook, save some juicy tidbits of your life for a letter. There's nothing more personal than receiving a hand-written note, even if it's brief. (You can work on your handwriting in the process.)
- Attend cultural events. Go to a concert or a museum. Get some friends together for a swanky night out. With Christmas coming up, you can be sure that at least one choir out there will be singing Handel's Messiah!
- Organize a flash mob. Okay, maybe I'm the only one with this on my bucket list, but I have wanted to be involved in one for years!
- Work on that thing you keep meaning to do. Knitting, computer programming, singing, playing an instrument, woodworking, curling, learning another language... There's always something to do that will make you a more interesting person, give you something to talk about, and get you out of your house to meet people. As I've heard from mothers of 12, you won't get another chance like the present.
It is critical for all of us to have a healthy balance in our lives. We're not put on this earth to always be happy, but to know, love, and serve God in this life—and hopefully to join Him in the next. What better way can we know God than by appreciating all the good things He has given us and sharing our joy with others?
Want more tips for Catholic singles? Then check out The Catholic's Guide to Being Single. Through this book, we will help you navigate this journey with spiritual, and practical advice aimed specifically towards you as a single person. Each chapter ends with exercises geared towards conquering many of the obstacles singles face today. Get your copy.
