# Taking Ownership of Singlehood in Old Age Source: 'Happy Singlehood The Rising Acceptance and Celebration of Solo Living' Elyakim Kislev #singlehood - Happy older singles are those who can come to terms with not having followed the traditional family path, finding meaning in the life they chose to live for, for widowed individuals, in the loss they had experienced. #grief - In short, happy older singles simply stated that they never wanted to marry whatsover. They took responsibility for their lives and were satisfied with their social ties as a substitute for marriage. - Never-married individuals, involvement with friends, extended family, and community gave them the confident to feel that they did not "miss out" despite all the prejudice against them. -- page 57 - Unhappy older always-single tended to attribute their relationship status to circumstances such as never finding the "right person", health reasons, or responsibilities that prevented them from dating. - page 58 - It would seem, then, that sooner long-term singles can be at peace with the question "why am i single,", the sooner they can feel whole with the "lost" opportunity to make a traditional family, and can break the stigma and enjoy independence. - Some studies have found that the sense of wholeness with never being married correlates with reduced levels of loneliness. - 58 ------ I think this is important to take ownership, control, to just reframe into something i have decided give me sense of #control #