May—the official warm-up act for summer and unofficial kick-off to back-to-back wedding weekends. Probably the not-too-hot weather and beaches that aren’t yet swarming with people. The worst thing? The repeated walk of shame—also known as arriving solo to every wedding you’re invited to, desperately dodging pitying looks and awkward questions.This month tends to be packed with weddings, and whether you’re big on marriage or not, it’s hard not to start wondering: When’s it going to be my turn? Showing up alone, having friends tiptoe around your love life, being asked—again—if you’re seeing anyone… it all starts to feel a little exhausting.
The pressure that hits after attending too many weddings in too short a time can stir up some existential questions: Why haven’t I met the one yet? How long will I stay single? Will my married friends start drifting away from me because I’m still single—and technically a threat to them? So many questions you’ll probably never get a straight answer to. But if it makes you feel any better, you’re not the only single lady in the room. There are so many of us. It’s just that this illegitimate sense of awkwardness has kept us locked in a metaphorical room, too afraid to face society’s expectations.
The real question is: Do single ladies hate the wedding season because of the awkwardness that comes along with it? Or just because they’re simply single? And if it’s the disturbingly annoying questions and the awkward sensitivity in the air, how to survive it?
HOW TO SURVIVE WEDDING SEASON WHEN YOU’RE SINGLE:
DON’T RSVP IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO
Unless it’s your best friend, your sibling, or a really close relative—ask yourself: Is it crucial that I attend this wedding? Probably not. Because honestly, who cares? If you’re going to suffer inevitable awkwardness, it better be worth it.
FEEL FREE TO BE RUDE (KINDLY)
Yes, you’re allowed to dodge the “Are you seeing someone?” question. Smile vaguely. Pretend you didn’t hear “I wish the same for you.” It’s okay to self-preserve. It’s better than snapping or pulling the “none of your business” card—though if that’s your vibe, go off.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO PRETEND YOU’RE LOVING SINGLE LIFE
It’s totally fine if you’re not obsessed with being single right now. That doesn’t mean you’re not happy for your newlywed friends. It just means you’re allowed to have your own feelings, too.
BRING A PLUS-ONE—FRIEND EDITION
No date? No problem. Your plus-one doesn’t have to be a romantic partner. It can be your best friend with a killer dress waiting in her wardrobe or your brother who happens to clean up nicely. Plus-ones are for moral support, not just couple aesthetics.
AND IF YOU DO WANT LOVE, THAT’S OK TOO
Here’s the part we sometimes skip over in these rants: maybe you do want love. Maybe you’re tired of pretending you’re too cool for commitment. And maybe that’s nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t make you desperate, and it definitely doesn’t make you any less independent. Wanting partnership is human. Feeling the sting of loneliness at a wedding doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re real.
So, the next time you’re caught in the bouquet toss crossfire or cornered by a well-meaning aunt, just remember: your worth isn’t tied to your relationship status. Whether you’re dancing alone or skipping the whole thing to binge-watch rom-coms with a face mask on, you’re still you—and that’s more than enough.
