For couples, every place they inhabit and navigate takes on its own memory in each person’s mind – highlighted by the person you spent the most time with.
Happy thoughts are all over when you are still together, but when you break apart, the area leads to a melancholic nostalgia.
The reality is you cannot get rid of it.
Places are a part of your day-to-day living, and unlike exes, you can’t just cut them off and decide that you are not going there anymore.
You will return at some point in your life.
If you just ended a relationship, or haven’t experienced one, these few spots and situations might convince you to ditch the loneliness and get back into the dating scene:
1. In Transit
Commuting can be stressful, but a simple touch of the hand can make it bearable.
Over the unfamiliar faces, blank stares, and overheard stories, being with someone who you can share your seat with on buses and trains makes you feel more safe and protected.
You can share stories with your partner and talk about the sceneries you pass by which turns the trip into a reward instead of a challenge. With this, you no longer have to worry even if you forget your AirPods or miss your daily podcast as you already have your own.
Another advantage is when you get sleepy along the ride, they give you a shoulder you can lean on – literally. Wherever you are headed, reaching a destination is more fulfilling with roads traveled together.
2. In the Movie Theater
Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever teaser has rolled out, and you can’t wait to watch it in the cinemas for a well-deserved high-definition experience.
You try to invite your friends, but all of their schedules are booked. Worse, they are with their significant others.
Will you watch the film alone, settle on being a third-wheeler, or find your own date?
Having someone you can share your interests with, who can see how big your eyes get in between powerful scenes that bring out the child in you, and who can listen or argue to your analysis and scriptwriter-wannabe suggestions makes the entire watching experience more satisfying.
So the best answer is to get someone who can watch the movie with you too. Make T’Challa proud, or else, just stay Single Forever.
3. At your workstation
It’s Monday. You have 3 client meetings and 3 pending outputs, and you’re 2 hours away from the deadline – not to mention that your boss is extra ill-tempered because the entire office is a complete mess.
It’s just Monday, yet your tasks and emotions piling up feel like days.
Frustrating, isn’t it?
If only you have someone to cheer you up during this chaos, things will be light and easy.
This does not necessarily mean that you need your partner to be at the workstation for you to feel good about yourself.
It’s the essence of having someone – even on the line – whom you can talk to about how your day went at work. It helps you relieve the stress and be inspired to keep going. Quality communication, quality work.
4. In the restaurant
A restaurant is a place where you most likely get judged when you are eating alone.
Oftentimes, when you are at your seat and feel like other diners are looking at you, you have no choice but to stick to your phone, and it is not a pleasant thing to look at while eating.
What makes you feel worse is when you order something, and the waiter says, “sure, but that’s good for two.”
Eating is pleasurable, and dining out with someone is a way for you to know yourself and partner better.
It also helps you discover other cuisines that might be new to your taste buds. What’s better is that you have someone you can split the bill with.
5. In the supermarket
Pushing the grocery cart does not burn thousands of calories, unless you do it for the entire day.
However, what makes the supermarket run a chore is when you have to pick things for yourself and think of a schedule for when to use or cook the items.
When you are single, you are also limited to getting the items that you want. First, because they might be too expensive, and your budget is tight.
Second, they might be too heavy, and no one else is going to help you carry them around.
The grocery cart can’t take you home either.
6. Your high school reunion venue
Your high school friend recently got engaged, while another just arrived from their honeymoon. You were also given an invitation to attend the first birthday of your best friend’s son.
If these instances do not make you think that you are still on track, then you most likely want to stay single forever.
Some friends may ask you, “Why are you still single?”, and you just get fed up as you already encountered the same question over 5 times that day.
Bringing a partner on rare occasions like reunions makes you feel like you’re showing off a trophy.
It boosts your confidence and also allows your partner to know more about your relevance and reputation among other people.
7. Your Mom’s House
You can fool anyone but your mom.
The connection between you and your parents is just too deep that even if you don’t speak about how you feel, they can automatically sense if you are in love, brokenhearted, or just tired of being single.
Especially when you’re at the right age, your parents will be glad to see you enjoying your life with someone they can trust.
It also makes the holidays something to look forward to as you get to give your home a plus one that can also be a link to strengthen the family’s bond.
8. At the Pharmacy
Apart from running errands, another reason why you are in the pharmacy is that you are sick, and no one else can grab your prescription.
You are uncomfortable. Your temperature is unstable. Yet, you still have to get up and swing by the nearest store.
Having to figure out how to survive by yourself causes anxiety and stress that could also slow your recovery down.
If you have someone who can prepare the medications, coordinate with your physician, and even cook that warm soup, you will surely feel better sooner.
9. In the car
Some find long drives as a way to escape.
Having someone by your side makes you less sleepy and gives you warnings on what to watch out for on the highway. They can also be your real-time navigator and live DJ.
Just like when you are commuting, traveling with someone makes the journey more fulfilling.
The only difference when driving a car is that it is more intimate – holding hands and kissing at stop lights are effortless. This gives you more chances of riding on the good stuff.
10. Your Bed
Your bed is your personal space. But sometimes, you can’t help but long for someone you can share that king size with.
During bedtime, the moment you turn the lights off is when reality slaps you hard. YOU ARE SINGLE – and that will hurt.
You walk to your bed, cover yourself in sheets, and have no warmth and comfort aside from your store-bought pillows.
There’s not so much to look forward to when waking up either. Imagine having your partner cuddle you while whispering that your hot cup of coffee is brewed and ready.
When you are single and have had an experience sleeping with someone, it is natural for your body to crave intimacy.
You will miss it. It is inevitable, and it’s enough reason for you to find a partner who you can be compatible with.
There are many possible reasons why one remains single, despite encountering all of the triggering places mentioned above.
Some are still in bed, recovering from heartbreak. Some are in the gym, working out to build the best versions of their bodies. Some are unimpressed, doubtful of the quality of potential partners out there.
Both men and women can use some self-improvement to increase their attractiveness in the dating market.
If you’re a man who’s struggling, simply getting a girl to like you might not be enough.
And if you’re a woman who’s struggling, focus on elevating your position in life so you can be around higher quality people. You just have to practice the right formula and be willing to take risks.
Once you’re back on track, these spots that currently bring your stress will soon turn out to be the ones you’ll look forward to going to every day.