Better to be single or in a relationship?

[Bigsmith]

Been in a relationship for two years and although there have been times where we've been at each others throats for one reason or an other I can say that in the long run I'm happier in a relationship then I was when I was single.

I think it has something to do with knowing that they are there for you and at the same time you have someone to be there for (not including family).

It's not even for the fact that I get it a lot (ok let be honest I mean sex) because although me and girl friend have been together for two years she doesn't feel ready for it and I'm fine waiting because I'm in no rush either and I love her for who she is, not for her physical appearance, although I do think she's good looking regardless of that.

I'm currently in my first year of University and I'm spending the first year in dorms, for the time being we're currently about 30 miles apart (actually just got back from seeing each other). Yet when my contract with Dorms ends I we do plan on moving in together.

But, beside all of this I can't say that it hasn't been hard work and sacrifices have been made on each side so we can spend time with each other, even before I went to Uni. So if you don't want to put serious dedication into a relationship your not going to get anywhere which, as just stated, is hard work.

But it's nice having a girl who you truly love and whom truly loves you in return.

As well as this I see my girlfriend as one of my best friends, someone that I can have intelligent conversations with about even the most obscure things I've found on web because chances are she's already beaten me two it. We also have the same hobbies and are both into gaming so there is no problem finding someone to play two player co-op with. :3

 

[Rblade]

a well, the grass is always greener.

although captcha seems to have a pretty strong opinion

"never nude"

 

[babinro]

There are benefits to both with the vast majority siding on the side of a relationship.
I'll use societies lack of single people in their 30's-40's (who have never married) be proof of that.

I personally prefer the freedom associated with being single. I've never once sought out a girlfriend despite being in my 30's.
I have been in relationships before when the woman takes that first step...but ultimately I prefer being single.

 

[Flamezdudes]

Going by the first week and a half of my first relationship...relationship.

Being single is fine, but i'm happier now than i've been in quite a while.

Thats... not the best thing to go by. Everyone is like that at the start of relationships as everything is fresh, new and exciting. Problems come in later, trust me I know. Still, it is a nice time.

OT: I am not sure, as I recently came out of a long on and off relationship which has gone on for about one year and a bit and I am ecstatic to be single again after all the problems that came with that relationship. However, I may not be one to judge as it was my first and as of yet only relationship i've ever had and while the good times were good, the bad times were fucking horrible.

On the other hand, I can do whatever I want when single and see my friends whenever I want (when available) and still be happy. It just depends on the person and where you are in your life as to whether being single or being in a relationship is better.

 

[hazabaza1]

Depends on the state of the relationship and how happy you are being single. Each bring their own downsides, but both can feel great.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

I would rather be single and happy than in a relationship and miserable.

 

[twaddle]

I think its better to be happy with yourself and your life. It doesn't matter whether you are in a relationship or not. And before you love someone you need to love yourself

 

[Vausch]

I loved the companionship and being able to share anything with my ex but I really just don't have an interest in finding someone else in the immediate future. At this point, just not actively looking.

 

[Overusedname]

I like both equally. My own happiness is different from the happiness I would get from a relationship. The difference is, I need my happiness while I do not necessarily need the happiness of being taken with someone. This allows me to become independent entirely on my own. So while I would like a new relationship eventually., I don't need one either.

You kinda summarized my own life better that I can.

We have so much in common. Let's have a not-relationship together.

 

[IrradiatedFish]

I think a lot of people summarized my thoughts on the matter quite nicely. Neither situation is objectively better than the other.

I don't have any experience with being in a relationship, but I think I can surmise that the 'best' option is whatever makes the individual happiest at the time.

If you're in an unpleasant relationship, why be in one? In that case, you're more likely to be content by yourself.

Again, I'm making assumptions, but I would think that a relationship requires a lot of work from both parties. Having said that, if there's that mutual desire to be in the relationship, I would think that it'll probably flourish, and in that case I think both people would likely be better off for it .

Basically, there's no right or wrong answer IMO. Whatever the individual needs at that particular time is going to help to make their life more satisfying and fulfilling, and is therefore the "better" option for them.

 

[CannibalCorpses]

Sex or friends?...i choose friends!

But to be truthfull i don't really find anyone interesting enough to bother with a relationship anymore. Casual sex is enough to keep me happy and thats easy enough to come by if you like to party a lot. I've had my fair share of relationships in the past and i tend to end them to save the poor girl from me...i'm not a very happy person to be around and way too dominant and unbending in my approach to anything. Nah, it's better for everyone i stay single

 

[chinangel]

I'm in a poly relationship
it's so much happy =_=

 

[VeneratedWulfen93]

I avoid relationships mostly for a number of reasons: Cost, Bullshit and shear lack of interest.
Other things have much higher priority than a relationship for me.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Don't know, sadly only have experienced one of the options.

 

[Pebkio]

Single. Single.

No wait, I've changed my mind. Definitely single.

Okay okay, I guess it depends on what you single want from life. If you can't single ignore the single urge for companionship single then I'd recommend single single putting in the time and single effort for a meaningful single relationship.

Just be aware that single it's going to single single single single.

Captcha: history repeats itself.
You're damned single it does...

 

[Naeras]

I've had quite a bit of fun being single, and it does have its advantages, the most obvious one being that I could make out with/sleep with pretty much whoever I wanted to(with certain limitations, but you get that). That being said, I definitely prefer being in a good relationship. And by "good" I mean that you respect the fact that the other person also is a human being with a life outside of just the partner, while at the same time being good friends, having good chemistry, and the partner doesn't have any dealbreaker-traits.
Oh, and blowjobs. They're pretty nice as well.

On the other hand, being in a relationship for the sake of being in a relationship(or even worse, just to get laid) is dumb and can only serve to hurt both yourself and your partner, as well as affecting the rest of your personal life(friends, family, work, hobbies, etc). It can completely break you down; it's happened to both me and other people I know.

 

[Olas]

I would probably prefer to be in a relationship. Especially since that would be a new experience for me. Being single has a lot going for it though too.

 

[AngloDoom]

Right now, being single suits me best. I'm attempting to get as much work as possible so I can save up money and gain experience before I go swanning off to a different country for a while, then come back and study my arse off while swanning around different parts of England, then maybe move country once again after I'm done with that. Right now having a relationship would give me less time to myself to set up my future and would be unsustainable due to the amount of moving about I'll do and the little spare time I'll have once it all gets started.

That said, being in a relationship is better for when you're settled, in my opinion. The only real down side I've ever suffered in decent relationships is a drain on time, money, and the odd argument.