Everyone has heard of Valentine's Day but not many are familiar with Singles Day. The day, which is typically observed in China, celebrates singlehood. Single people are stigmatized, cornered, and ignored in a soceity but some people link singlehood with overall well-being.

Many embrace the joy of being in a relationship by listening to sappy love songs, engaging in PDA, professing their undying adoration for each other, but some also choose to remain single to enjoy life on their own terms. Falling in love may not be easy, and neither is setting a time frame for staying single, because life happens in unexpected ways. And letting it unfold while embracing the freedom that comes with singlehood can be a liberating experience.

Singles Day, which is celebrated on Nov. 11 every year in China, encourages people to reflect on their emotional needs before jumping into a relationship.

The significance of Singles Day

In China, people are of the belief that choosing to remain single is just as important as deciding to commit to a relationship. The culture is boldly calling out on the age-old stereotyping of those who pick singlehood, and proudly celebrates people who have embraced the single life.

Singles Day stems from the idea that it is important for people to love and accept themselves first in order to be able to love someone else. Remaining single and making the most of that period means you are taking the time to become a better version of yourself, instead of trying to pour from an empty cup in a relationship.

History of Singles Day

The Chinese holiday was first proclaimed in 1990 when it was called Bachelor's Day. The day was first celebrated in the Nanjing University campus where four male college students celebrated their singlehood. The idea soon spread to other universities and became a part of mainstream culture.

The holiday sets the stage for people to meet up and socialize at parties and perhaps engage in a lot of retail therapy together.

Here are a few quotes about singlehood that will make you want to plan a holiday with your best friend instead of your lover. (Courtesy: Good House Keeping)

  • "Single is no longer a lack of options – but a choice. A choice to refuse to let your life be defined by your relationship status but to live every day Happily and let your Ever After work itself out."- Mandy Hale
  • "My alone feels so good, I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude."- Warsan Shire
  • "Every woman in her late 20s goes through a period where she just doesn’t believe love is out there anymore, but it is. And I think the minute you stop looking for it is when it comes for you."- Kristen Bell
  • "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance."- Oscar Wilde
  • "Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you’re pretty sexy and you’re taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with."- Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City, HBO)
  • "He sleeps fastest who sleeps alone."- Richard Avedond
  • "Being single doesn’t necessarily mean you’re available. Sometimes you have to put up a sign that says 'Do Not Disturb' on your heart."- Wiz Khalifa
tree-g3bf2ef11e_1920
Singlehood means being in charge of your own life Pixabay
RELATED STORIES