Committed relationships and love attachments are becoming less common in today's society.
When it comes to online dating, people are appreciating their own attractiveness and taking control of their personal enjoyment and success rather than risking poor dates across multiple dating apps.
The "single positivity movement" is spreading in the West as people choose self-improvement above romantic commitment.
This new way of thinking about being single, dubbed "self-partnership," has gained traction among the millennial generation, which sees being single as a liberating experience rather than a social liability. A host of Hollywood stars are joining the movement to recast "single" in a more positive light.
Getting rid of the stigma associated with being single has helped many people to rediscover their individuality and develop a genuine affection for one another, even if they don't have a romantic partner. One of the benefits of being a single person in today's society is having more time to devote to personal development.
Only if you've done the right "groundwork" can self-partnership be considered as a beneficial development.
Sonia Samtani, a clinical hypnotherapist, life coach, and relationship and health coach, explains that "a self-partnership is when you are partnering with yourself and therefore regard yourself as the one you are with."
“The fact that we don't rely on others to complete us can be a healthy sign," said Samtani. “As long as we keep rejecting the aspects of ourselves that make up who we are, we will always be a work in progress.
“It's also possible to appreciate and grow from our interactions with others,” she continued.
Samtani's counsel if you are occasionally overpowered by the fear of being alone:
“If you're going to be healthy, you've got to accept and comprehend what you're feeling. For the vast majority of people, this dread arises from a lack of belonging, a lack of acceptance, or fear. Then you may use your rational mind to figure out what's working for you right now once you've identified them through catharsis.
“For perspective, compose a list of places where you feel supported and involved, such as at work or with your family. This will show you that you're not the only one.
“You should focus on what you can do and what would help you feel connected to others. Your best friend or a close parent could be the subject of a lengthy conversation.”
She claims that in a self-partnership, you can be fully empowered. Setting an intent to become interdependent rather than autonomous or dependent is key to self-partnership empowerment. That means developing the ability to take care of your own needs without being reliant on others.
"Whether or not you are in a romantic relationship, you can be in a self-partnership for the rest of your life. Spending time with yourself does not have to mean ‘being alone,’ but rather ‘being with me,’” Samtani explains. “Write down your thoughts and feelings at least once a day; establish time in your schedule for you; check in with yourself to find what makes you happy, and then work along with yourself to meet those needs."
Asking yourself what you want and what makes you feel appreciated is a great way to treat yourself like a romantic partner. We feel empowered when we feel in command, which is why it's so important to keep an open mind.
Focus your attention on what matters most to you, whether it's your own needs, another person's, or a specific scenario. In order to progress, you must work with yourself and your environment in a mutually-beneficial partnership.
Self-partnership: advantages and disadvantages
PROS
• It's the cornerstone of a sound sense of self-worth.
• You become self-sufficient and interdependent
• Allows you to concentrate on your spiritual development and gain a better understanding of yourself.
CONS
• Focusing only on one's own demands can lead to narcissistic tendencies, which can harm one's friendships and work connections.
• Your personal growth will be stunted if you use self-partnering as an excuse to avoid relating to others.
• It can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even melancholy if you cut yourself off from others.
