In relationships, a single person is one who is not married or in a romantic relationship.

Single people may engage in dating to find a partner or spouse. Not all single people actively seek out a relationship, however, as some are content to wait for the 'right' person to enter their lives, while others do not seek relations at all.

According to the United States Bureau of the Census, the fastest-growing household type since the 1980s has been the single person.

Loneliness can occur for many single people who look for but cannot find anyone they might wish to date, especially for those suffering the loss of companionship following divorce or bereavement. Some single people, however, regard and appreciate solitude as an opportunity.

There is a legal distinction between a single person and an unmarried person. Generally, an unmarried person may have been married and now be widowed or divorced. In some cases, mortgage papers have had to be redrawn because the buyer was mistakenly described as "unmarried" rather than "single." (This left open the possibility that a mysterious ex-spouse might claim a part interest in the house being purchased.

There are more ways than ever to find the right person for you. Until then, here are just a few reasons to celebrate your single status.

1) Flirting is encouraged
You don't have to feel guilty about staring at that cutie from the coffee place, or oogling a particular hotie on the street.

2) Your money is your own
If you want to blow a week’s salary in Vegas, it's entirely up to you. There's no one to nag you to put it in the bank for a rainy day.

3) All the covers are yours
No waking up cold. No pulling blankets off of someone else just so you can get a few hours sleep. (And no one snoring all night to interrupt your peaceful shut-eye.)

4) Let your spirits fly!
Having a great day? Your partner can’t come home and dampen your mood. Conversely, you don’t need to cheer up anyone else.

5) You can leave your socks anywhere you want
No one will nag you to pick them up. You also won’t have to pick up socks or underwear that isn’t yours!

6) You get to meet new people
Dating is a fun activity. You get to know new people and learn what makes them tick. You can have conversations about anything and everything - not just about your significant other's day or what your kids did in school. Best of all, in going out on different dates you'll be stretching your comfort zone and discovering new activities you might not have otherwise tried.

7) You don’t answer to anyone
If Sunday is your day to watch the game, hang out at the bookstore, or swing by every rummage sale in town, no one can tell you otherwise. If you want to go to the gym or eat popcorn for dinner? Go ahead!

8) You can devote more time to your career
Singles are sometimes envious when their married coworkers duck out at five to pick up the kids, but being on your own can have distinct advantages at work. You’re more flexible; you can bail out your boss by devoting more time to an important new project and even jump on a last-minute flight to sooth an angry client. This type of availability can make your boss take notice, and hopefully, reward you.

9) Meet your friends whenever you’d like
Married and otherwise attached folks are sometimes not as flexible as their single counterparts when it comes to keeping up with friendships. So when the guys decide to grab a beer and wings at the last minute or the girls plan an after-work get together you can easily join them without worrying about someone else’s schedule.

10) You only have one set of relatives to deal with
While it can be great to have a large family get together with both sides of an extended family, it can also be a headache at times. If you’re someone that prefers a more quiet holiday by just dealing with one goofy family (your own), being single can afford you a calmer celebration.

No matter where you look, from movies to magazine ads, men are always being told that they need a woman to be happy. And while the company of a lady does have its boons, there are benefits to flying solo as well.

The single life is replete with liberties that you could not imagine. Here are the top 10 reasons you should consider taking a hiatus from the relationship arena and remain single
10) You don't have to tolerate moodiness & nagging
Fellas, how many times have you been in the doghouse because your woman was livid for reasons you still don't understand? Relish not being the target of her inexplicable mood swings, and the calm that comes when there's no nagging. When you wake up on the couch, you'll know it's because you chose to pass out there.

9) You can gain weight without worrying
Just as you can spend more time buffing up at the gym, you can also just chill and let yourself go for a little while. When you're not on the market, you don't have to worry about looking like an Adonis every day. Go ahead and wear that threadbare Metallica T-shirt and those holey boxers. Enjoy the pleasure of occasionally being a slob. Just don't go so far that you can't trim down in time for when you decide to start hunting.

8) You can appreciate your independence
You can use your newfound free time for solitary fun, as well as self-improvement. Being single forces you to do things for yourself, like cook, do laundry and tidy up your pad. Being skilled at many things makes you a more complete, well-rounded person -- a great card to hold when you decide to reenter the dating market.

Furthermore, independence is a great trait, and women will likely notice that you're not the needy, clingy type.

7) You can control your finances
If you've ever been in a serious relationship, you know that, sooner or later, a good chunk of your budget goes into steady lady-maintenance costs. Bachelorhood gives you full financial freedom, and you never have to worry about paying for dinner or buying presents.

However, understand that this does not mean that you will save money -- on the contrary; you might be spending more on partying, buying drinks, dressing well, and so on. But at least you are the master of every single dollar you spend.

6) You have more time for activities
When you're single, you have no reason to sit around doing nothing. Want to harden your body at the gym? Play a new instrument? How about watch the Die Hard trilogy for the 11th time? Who's stopping you?

You can even use the time that you'd spend pleasing a demanding girlfriend to hang with the boys. After all, isn't neglecting your friends one of the biggest sacrifices of couplehood?

Look forward to being spontaneous, not having to answer to anyone and flirting like crazy...

5) You don't have to deal with another's personal habits

You used to cringe when she used your razor to shave her legs, and the scented candles she burned in every room made you sick. Now there's no irritating habits to tolerate. You can sleep peacefully without her snoring and hog all the blankets without a care in the world. You have no one to pick up after but yourself. Give your patience a well-deserved break and live in unflustered.

4) You can be spontaneous

Being single lets your break out of the numbing cycle of routine. Be daring while you can. Go on a fishing trip with your crew at the drop of a hat. Push it further and head out on a wild Spring Break surrounded by gorgeous college women. Not only will you be doing something out of the ordinary, you can do it without double-checking with someone else first. This is the height of freedom.

3) You can focus on your career

Life is a juggling act in which you have to keep the many elements aloft, paying equal attention to each one. But if you let one drop, you can channel your forces to the remaining parts. In the absence of a relationship, you'll have much more time to devote to your work. You can put in those extra hours on a project to impress your boss, and even take on something else. And you don't have to worry about sacrificing your love life, as you'll be single and vigorous.

2) You can be your own boss

Relationships are synonymous with compromise. You eventually have to sacrifice something you really like -- a football game or extra cheese on your pizza -- for the good of the pair. Use your single time to treat yourself a little more. In small doses, selfishness is good for the soul.

Being your own boss also means answering to no one. You went to a strip club? You got the scent of some woman's perfume all over your clothes? Enjoy not having to explain your actions.

1) You can flirt as you please

Nothing is worse than that nagging voice in your head telling you that you shouldn't be talking to this killer brunette in front of you. Being single gives you the complete freedom to flirt with whomever you want, whenever you want.

It also gives you the chance to sharpen your mojo so that, before you know it, you'll be the master player on your block. Since you're unattached, take this opportunity to master the art of seduction, and who knows what rewards you'll reap.
the bright side of solitude
Everything has a good side; you just have to learn how to spot it. Society places too much importance on finding a mate, something your hormones are quick to enforce. The next time you get that pesky feeling that you have to be with someone, remember these 10 points, and you'll savor the joys of being a free man.