Confessions of Being Single #1: Time

Lately, it's been a recurring thought about the concept of time. So I decided to google, 'time.' I'm not too sure how many other people there are in this world who share the same intrigue as I do when it comes to the origins and meaning of words- please excuse the excitement and fascination as I dig deeper into fleshing out the word 'time.'

time

tʌɪm/

noun

1. 1.

   the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

   "travel through space and time"

   
   

   
   

   
   

From this definition we can already grasp that the concept of time is a progress, a continuing progress that is indefinite. Indefinite being vague or not clearly expressed. Which in fact is true. We can see the progression of time every single, waking day of our lives. From the rising to the setting of the sun, the growth and falling of leaves of trees from winter to spring. It's there and inevitably progressing. During these progressions, our existence (and existence of other living/non-living things) and events are considered as a whole from the past, present and future. To dig deeper and probably gain better understanding, take the dates of a person's lifetime. Time is defined by that dash in between the birth date and death date. Everything that we have experienced, felt, dealt with, done is all in that dash. All of our past and present emerged into one dash.

Now, how does this relate to 'being single?' Since I have established that time is a progression of our existence and events, this is what 'being single' is. Being single is a progression. Often misinterpreted by social media, well media in general, that being single is a state of just waiting and anticipating for the emergence of 'falling in love.' Because apparently being married and settled down with a family is your life done and dusted. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to have dreams of a future that consists of being in love with a 'forever' partner and raising a family whilst having a stable and enjoyable career. I am however encouraging you to see single-hood in a new light.

Imagine if magazine articles, blogging sites and other forms of media presented topics on how to find yourself, how to be confident in your own skin, how to love who you are, how to embrace all your flaws and correct what is wrong? The formation and structure of our society would be different wouldn't it? It could be possible that we would be raising up a generation that defines themselves and finds their identity NOT by the idealistic standards of a westernised, materialistic, image-possessed society. This way people are being formed and moulded accordingly and well internally rather than focusing on the external figure.

Yes, first impressions do have an impact and presentation is important. Yet it is not everything and it doesn't define you as a person. Think of it, your name defines you more than the appearance of your face. For naturally, humans seek after knowledge of the things that is skin deep. When we differentiate between single-hood as a timeline of anticipation to a timeline of finding yourself, it deteriorates and erodes most, if even all, ideologies of 'love.'

See, single-hood should be an embarkment, a journey of truly identifying who you are and establishing a foundation on which you can stand and not be moved. If ever, know that being single isn't a 'punishment' or karma or a burden. It shouldn't be. It should be that timeline of your life where you explore what you like, don't like, are intrigued by, upset by ..being single is a wonderful thing. If you let it be. In the mean time of being single, utilize it to the best of your ability to learn more. Utilize it to embrace that the past is what you've been through which contributes to who you are in the present to ultimately mould all that you are to do and be in the future. Utilize single-hood as a means of figuring out your placement in this world.

It's inevitable that loneliness can creep in but don't let it affect you to the point that you get off track. Even if you do get off track for a bit, it's never impossible to get back on.