The journey into young adulthood is a transformative one. It’s an introduction to “the real world,” free from the restraints of parent rules and expectations. It’s a time for personal growth and self-discovery. For some young adults, that may include exploring romantic relationships. But that isn’t the only way to grow. Young people can also take advantage of the mental health benefits of being single during this phase of life.
From the freedom to focus on yourself and your interests, to growing your career, to traveling the world, there’s much to celebrate about “singledom.” Let’s explore how you can make the most of it.
What You’ll Learn
- Why are more young adults staying single longer than previous generations?
- How can being single support self-exploration and personal growth?
- In what ways does singledom create space for life goals?
- How can therapy help a young person’s quality of life?
Quick Read
More young adults are staying single than ever before, and cultural expectations around marriage and relationships have shifted. In past generations, it was common to marry in your early 20s. Today, people are waiting longer, or choosing not to marry at all, while focusing on education, careers, and personal growth. This shift reflects a growing recognition that there are many ways to build a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Being single in young adulthood can offer unique mental health benefits. Without the time and energy a relationship requires, young adults have more freedom to explore who they are, pursue hobbies and passions, deepen friendships, and take risks that foster independence. Research even shows that staying single longer can build resilience, helping people better navigate future challenges in relationships and life.
That said, being single isn’t always easy. Loneliness, breakups, or relationship envy can take a toll. Therapy can be an important resource during this phase, helping young people build confidence, process emotions, and strengthen their mental health. At PrairieCare, we’re here to support young adults in all stages of life—whether single, dating, or somewhere in between.
Young Adults Are Staying Single for Longer
It wasn’t long ago that society expected young adults to graduate, find a partner, settle down, and have children. But times have changed, and young people are bucking tradition. As a result, college-aged young adults are less inclined to settle with one partner. A relationship survey of Cornell University college students found 42 percent said they were in a committed relationship, 36 percent said they were single, 9 percent were “single and not looking” and 11 percent were “single and dating.”
Additionally, research shows median ages for first-time marriages are at record highs for both women and men. Between the 1950s and now, the median age at first marriage has risen from 20 to 28 for women and 22 to 30 for men. And the number of first marriages between ages 40 and 59 quadrupled between 1990 and 2019.
Moreover, a Pew Research analysis found that people have been increasingly delaying marriage. In 1980, just 6 percent of US 40-year-olds had never been married. Today, 25 percent have never tied the knot. Another study finds that more Americans are single than ever before.
5 Mental Health Benefits of Being Single as a Young Adult
The transition to young adulthood can be intimidating. With independence come new financial responsibilities, and the stress of finding the right job and deciding where to live. Simply put, adulting is hard.
Plus, relationships are romanticized on the big screen and on social media. And this can make even the most independent young adult yearn to find that special someone. However, embracing singledom and all it has to offer can lead young adults on a path of self-discovery.
Here are five ways you can flip the script on what it means to be single and “fill your cup”—all on your own.
1 – Time for Self-Exploration
Young adulthood is a perfect time for self-exploration and building the life skills needed to thrive as an adult. It is often the first time in life that another adult isn’t setting the expectations for you. In a study of hundreds of single men and women on what makes single life attractive, “more time for myself,” followed by “focus on my goals,” and “no one dictates my actions,” were most important.
Relationships require time and energy, and being single allows you to shift that energy to figuring out what you want in life. Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Or do you prefer the security a company has to offer? Do you want to live in a large city or near water or mountains?
You have the unique opportunity to take advantage of new opportunities that come your way, without having to consult with a partner. This fosters independence and helps you understand what you’re capable of all on your own. In the process, you may find new interests and talents you never knew you had.
By approaching this phase in life with an open mind and a willingness to learn, young adults can emerge with a deep sense of self, a clear sense of purpose, and the confidence to navigate all the challenges life can bring. In fact, research shows that staying single longer helps young adults build the resilience to handle future breakups better.
Download our Self-Acceptance Toolkit for practices and approaches to guide you along this journey.
Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery
Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-expression and getting to the heart of who you are and what you want in life. Here are a few prompts to get you started:
- Write down some of your proudest moments and major accomplishments in life.
- Make a list of things you want to accomplish in the next five years.
- List some important lessons you’ve learned in life.
- Name your top travel destinations.
- Define success for yourself. What does it look like?
- Jot down some of your biggest fears. How can you conquer them?
- Define what happiness looks and feels like to you.
- Create a list of things you’re passionate about.
- Think about what drains your energy, and what energizes you and write them down.
- Where are the top five places/cities you would consider living?
2 – Focus on Education and Career
Singledom allows room to explore educational and professional growth opportunities. For example, undergraduate and postgraduate programs are time-consuming and require focus. With no romantic ties, you can create your own schedule, focus on your studies, explore new subject areas, and participate in extracurricular activities that interest you. And if you decide grad school is not for you, there are plenty of ways to build on existing skills with workshops, seminars, or online courses after college.
Furthermore, being single allows for the flexibility to engage in valuable networking that can significantly enhance your career. A flexible schedule means more time to attend industry events, join professional organizations, and participate in volunteer activities that align with your career goals. These connections can lead to mentorship opportunities, job recommendations, and career advancements.
Moreover, taking full advantage of this time in life as a single young adult can help you find a sense of purpose and avoid the post-college depression that is all too common.
3 – Explore Hobbies and Interests
Studies show that hobbies lead to better mental health. One study found respondents who had hobbies reported better health, more happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction. Moreover, pursuing new interests can lead to new friendships and connections. Engaging with like-minded individuals by joining social clubs, gyms, or other groups can help young people expand their friend group.
Additionally, it’s important for young adults to strike a healthy balance between chasing career goals and having fun. Sign up for that yoga class, join a book club, or step outside your comfort zone to discover something new. Maybe you’ve got a hidden rock climber, wave surfer, or snowboarder inside just waiting to break free. What better time to experiment and find what you’re passionate about than when you’re single?
Benefits of Hobbies
- Reduce stress
- Make or strengthen friendships
- Learn new skills
- Build confidence
- Increase your time in the “zone”—proven to boost happiness
4 – Build Friendships
Multiple studies show that adult friendships contribute to well-being. One of the biggest mental health benefits of being single in young adulthood is more time to nurture existing friendships and develop new ones.
It’s natural for a committed romantic relationship to dominate your free time. As a single young adult, you have more room in the social calendar for dinners or nights out. There is also more room for spontaneity. Organizing a beach getaway or road trip to a city you’ve never explored is a great way to connect with friends.
Limited on funds? Explore your own city by visiting local parks, museums, coffee shops, and boutiques. There are so many exciting adventures just waiting for you if you open your mind to the possibilities.
A Note on Male Friendships and Mental Health
Male friendships tend to dwindle as teen boys enter young adulthood. Building authentic connections with other males, especially for heterosexual men, can be difficult. There is often a fear of being vulnerable and opening up to other guys. Therefore, young adult males often rely on romantic relationships for companionship.
But male friendships are important for mental health. They provide a sense of belonging and purpose, reduce stress, and can spur healthy competition when it comes to health or career. Scheduling time with male friends as a single adult is beneficial for overall well-being. So, call a friend and head out to a sporting event, go see a movie, or spend a day hiking. The time young men invest in male friendships will help them build a lifelong support system to tap into when times get tough.
5 – Travel the World
Young single adults have a rare opportunity to tackle their travel destination bucket list, a great way to see and experience other cultures, bond with friends, and make new friends along the way. Traveling abroad provides a chance to experience different cultures firsthand. Doing so helps you gain a deeper understanding of how people live in other areas of the world. It can also help you become more open-minded, tolerant, and accepting of different ways of life.
While your bank account may not match your destination wish list at this stage in life, there are plenty of ways to make travel dreams possible. With careful planning, you can take advantage of travel discounts, off-season pricing, and airline points. Additionally, traveling with groups of friends means you can share the costs of hotels, Airbnb rentals, or take advantage of the hostels.
Whether traveling with a group or going solo, these experiences are the building blocks for a fulfilling life. They help shape who you are, foster independence and personal growth, and help you develop a greater appreciation for what makes you … YOU.
Sometimes Being Single as a Young Adult Is Hard. We Can Help.
Sometimes, despite all the mental health benefits of being single in young adulthood, it can be hard, too. Relationship envy, a bad breakup, or loneliness in young adulthood can lead to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Or young people might find it difficult to build healthy relationships if they’re struggling with attachment issues. In these situations, therapy can make a huge difference in a young adult’s quality of life.
PrairieCare’s services span a continuum of care using evidence-based treatments to meet every patient where the are in their mental health journey. Our licensed clinicians specialize in treating trauma and related issues through multidisciplinary teams and a whole-person approach. If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression, anxiety, or any other mental concern, know we are here for you.
Contact us today at 952-826-8475 to find a mental health support that works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the benefits of being single as a young adult?
- Being single gives young adults the freedom and flexibility to explore career options, further their education, travel, and expand their social network.
- Are more young adults staying single?
- Nearly 40 percent of adults are unpartnered, a major increase from 29 percent in 1990.
- Why are young adults getting married later in life?
- It has become more culturally acceptable to get married later in life. Many focus on their career in young adulthood or value the freedom singledom brings. A study of single men and women on what makes single life attractive found that, “more time for myself,” followed by “focus on my goals,” and “no one dictates my actions,” were most important.
- How does being single as a young adult help you learn more about yourself?
- Being single is a great opportunity for self-exploration and learning what you want and don’t want in life. It can be a time to explore different hobbies and interests, travel to different states or countries, and learn new skills.
Sources
- J Marriage Fam. 2024 Apr; 86(2): 350–368.
- Nature Medicine, 2023
- J Marriage Fam. 2022 Aug;84(4).
- Pew Research Center