Looking around, in bars, at work, at school, and just about everywhere else, I see people trying to hook up with other people. Looking for 'the one' or just 'someone'.

Lately it's made me feel like a freak. Almost everyone I know seems to be desperate to find a mate except me. It'd be nice to find a girl who I can be comfortable with and who complements me, but it's not something I'm losing sleep over. I love being single. I have freedom, space, and the option of persuing a relationship if I so choose.

Why do some people drive themselves mad over this? Is it because the media, and by extension family and friends seem to indicate that being single is somehow a failure? Am I the only one who feels this way?

I know what you mean man, for about a year I went through broads like a pack of quick burning cigs.

Now I haven't had a girlfriend in 2 months I think and I really don't plan on getting one anytime soon. It's just a hassle sometimes you know?

It's like eventually I feel like the relationship becomes a routine obligation and once it gets like that I sort of become a despondent jerk until they do something about it (ergo: break up).

My advice for you is to not bother looking for a girl, unless you really want a particular one.

I think a lot of the relationships are started after other relationships end (on the rebound) because people get used to being with somebody, and being forced to be self-reliant becomes unbearable.

However after a while you become comfortably numb...

Well, whenever anybody I know comes off a long term relationship, I DO tell them to take a month or two off...

i haven't been in a relationship for over twelve months and after being bitten pretty damn bad in my last two serious ones i'm in absolutely no hurry to get involved in another one.

i find that not actively looking for someone generally tends to work best if you are looking for a relationship.

i do like this guy at the moment and have told him that i do but i'm not activley pushing him or trying to get involved. we both like our independance and have both been bitten before so i'm happy just to see what happens.

If it happens great if it doesn't well i've still got a best mate, so it will be good whichever way it happens....

I have not had a serious relationship in over two years, but before that it seemed like I always wanted and almost NEEDED to be in one. Probably because I was insecure and I always needed someone around to encourage my self esteem, instead of being capable of doing so on my own.

Not being in a relationship definately has it's pro's and con's. Right now I have way too much shit going on in my life, and I am in no position to bring anyone else into this mess.

Since I know myself pretty well, I know that once I get myself straightened out I will hopefully attract the right kind of person.

When I stop partying like a rock star, I will be in a much better position keep it real.