How to Survive Without a GF or BF (+ Expert Tips)

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Enjoy the freedom that comes with being single

Co-authored by Cristina Morara and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: July 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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Surviving Without a Girlfriend or Boyfriend

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Benefits of Being Single

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FAQs

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Final Thoughts

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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When you’re single, it can feel like everyone else around you is coupled up. Fortunately, there are tons of ways you can lift your spirits and be happy about your single status. In this article, we’ll offer you steps detailing how you can enjoy being single so you not only survive but thrive on your own. You’ll discover the many benefits of being single while finding plenty of expert tips from trusted psychotherapists and dating coaches.

How to Survive Without a Girlfriend or Boyfriend

Survive without a girlfriend or boyfriend by pursuing hobbies you enjoy, like crafting, canoeing, or writing poems. You can also date yourself by going to a movie alone, traveling, or taking a class. Figure out what you need to feel nourished and happy, according to dating coach Cristina Morara.

Section 1 of 4:

Best Ways to Survive Without a Girlfriend or Boyfriend

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Enjoy the freedom that comes with being single. When you’re single, you can do anything you want without checking in. Want to head out to the beach one day? Do it! Want to pack up your life and move to a new city? You can! You have the freedom that other people with partners don’t have, and that can be really freeing.^{[1]
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- You’re also free to casually date and meet new people if you want to.
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Spend time with your friends and family. You don’t need a partner to have great relationships. Your friends and close family members will always be there for you, and you can spend more time with them when you’re single. Dedicate time to hanging out with the people you love, which helps distract you from being single and also fosters healthy relationships.^{[2]
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American Psychological Association
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- If your friends and family live far away, try calling or video chatting with them often.
- If you just got out of a relationship, it can feel natural to isolate yourself from others. However, spending time with people is a great way to heal and move on from the past.
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Meet new people when you’re out and about. You can aim to expand your social circle and make new connections. Even if you have a ton of friends already, it’s always fun to meet new people. If you’re in school or at work, try chatting with your classmates or co-workers. If you’re at the grocery store or a coffee shop, say hi to the person in line behind you. You never know who you might meet!^{[3]
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- A great way to do this is just by introducing yourself. For instance, if you see someone who looks cool while you’re out and about, you might say, “Hey, I’m Jonathan. It’s nice to meet you.”
- Talking to people while you’re out and about is also a good way to meet potential dates, if that’s what you’re after.
EXPERT TIP

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Common interests can lead to engaging new relationships. With this in mind, visit places that align with your interests, like bookstores or art galleries, to find a natural opportunity to meet like-minded people.
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Join a hobby group or club that interests you. Use your creative outlets to stay busy and minimize stress. Use your free time to jump into a hobby you love, or find a new one that you’ve never tried before. This is a great way to fill up free time and meet new people, too.^{[4]
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- You might try golfing, playing board games, painting, or doing embroidery.
- Have a hobby you love? Try looking for like-minded people by searching Facebook groups or NextDoor.
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Exercise a few times per week. Physical activity keeps you healthy and makes you feel good. Try to exercise at least a few times a week to stay active and physically fit. You might try running, hiking, biking, walking, or swimming to get your heart rate up. Plus, this is another way to meet new people who like the same things as you!^{[5]
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- Try joining a class to keep you accountable and also meet new people.
- You could also try yoga, dancing, or jazzercise.
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Travel on your own and see the world. Even a weekend road trip can help you get outside your comfort zone. If you have the budget for it, you could even buy a plane ticket somewhere new. Taking some time to yourself will not only boost your spirits, but it’s a great way to get out of the house and lead a happy life solo. If you want to, you can invite a friend; otherwise, make it a trip where you can have tons of fun by yourself.
- Another great benefit of being single? You can go anywhere you want! You don’t have to check in with anyone about your destination, and you can book it as spontaneously as you’d like.
- Morara emphasizes “exploring somewhere new alone. There is no greater adventure in life that brings you closer to who you really are than traveling alone. Being single is the perfect opportunity to design the life you want, amplify your best qualities and know that you are enough.”^{[6]
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Get a furry companion to bring home. A pet can keep you company if you’re struggling to live on your own. If you feel like a furry friend might help you, head to your local animal shelter to adopt a cat or dog in need. You can take care of them, enjoy their company, and also use them as an excuse to get some exercise.^{[7]
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- If dogs or cats aren’t your thing, try getting a lizard, a bunny, or even a fish instead.
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Dive into your studies or pursue your career goals. Studies show that single people often have more time to dedicate to their jobs. If you’re working or studying in an industry that you love, spend time working up the ladder and getting promotions whenever you can. Since you don’t have a partner to distract you, you can throw yourself into your career and really get ahead.^{[8]
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- Don’t love the industry that you’re in? It’s never too late to go back to school!
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Volunteer in your spare time to feed your soul. Not only will you help others, but it will make you feel good, too. If you’re struggling to figure out what to do on the weekends, reach out to a shelter or a food bank to see if they need any assistance. You can make people really happy and help them out a lot by dedicating some of your free time.^{[9]
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- If you’re an animal lover, contact an animal shelter near you to see if they’re accepting volunteers.
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Date yourself whenever you want to have fun. Take yourself out on the town and treat yourself to nice things. You don’t need a partner to feel spoiled! If there’s something you want to do, like going to a show or trying new food, don’t wait around for anyone else to take you. Head out on your own to maintain your independence and feel great about yourself.^{[10]
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- You might take yourself to the movies, buy yourself a little gift, or treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath.
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Practice self-care to nourish your inner and outer being. Try to do something nice for yourself at least once a day. Surviving and thriving include treating yourself with kindness whenever possible. Set aside 10 to 15 minutes a day to practice self-care by taking part in a stress-relieving activity. You can soak in the bath, take a long walk, read a good book, or call up a friend. You might just find that doing something small makes you feel a whole lot better. It’s also the perfect time to look within and think about being single vs. being in a relationship. ^{[11]
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HelpGuide
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- You could also try painting your nails, doing a face mask, listening to new music, or cooking yourself a nice meal.
- Reader Poll: We asked 1273 wikiHow readers about the self-care goal they’re most motivated to work on, and only 6% of them said following a skincare routine. [Take Poll] Instead, making it a goal to relax or exercise might be more rewarding.
EXPERT TIP

Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
Psychotherapist
Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.

Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
Psychotherapist

Take time to self-reflect if being single bothers you. Look at why you really want to be in a relationship. Are you scared to be alone? What are some of those underlying feelings? Getting honest about why you don't want to be single can be very insightful.
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Celebrate your personal achievements. Pat yourself on the back to remind yourself how far you’ve come. If you get a good grade in class or find an awesome new job, don’t forget to celebrate that! You might buy yourself something nice, invite a few friends over, or simply reward yourself with a relaxing night at home.^{[12]
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- This might feel a little silly at first, but it’s important to recognize your own milestones. It’s the best way to see how far you’ve come and remind yourself how far you can go in the future.

Section 2 of 4:

Benefits of Having No Girlfriend or Boyfriend

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Without a girlfriend or boyfriend, you can dedicate your time to hobbies, pursuits, career goals, and personal development. Your free evenings can be spent taking a course, getting a professional certification, or networking. Use your time to learn a new hobby or skill; work on mindfulness, meditation, or a spiritual practice.
Take advantage of the fact that you only have to worry about yourself. Even happy couples argue and have disagreements which can cause stress and worry; you can instead focus on your own happiness without trying to make someone else happy. This is especially true if you’ve experienced high-drama relationships in the past. Take a breath of fresh air and revel in the fact that you are the only responsibility you have.
You don’t have to set money aside for dates and activities to plan with someone else. Your single lifestyle allows you to set realistic financial goals that you can work toward, like a luxury spa retreat, a vacation, or a new car or home. Spend your money on activities and pursuits you love most without worrying about paying for dinners, events, and trips as a couple.
While you may experience loneliness at times, you can always depend on family, friends, and work colleagues to contribute to a fulfilling life. What you don’t have to think about is the feeling of rejection and sadness that often comes with a broken heart. Many relationships end badly; you live without that possibility, so enjoy all the good times you create yourself.

Section 3 of 4:

Surviving Without a Girlfriend or Boyfriend FAQs

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Is it possible to live without a girlfriend or boyfriend? Whether you find yourself chronically single or post-breakup, it’s very possible to live without a significant other in your life. By focusing on other relationships, your personal growth, and other goals (career, hobbies), you can find plenty of satisfaction.
- If you’ve just gone through a breakup, “it can be highly beneficial and very much encouraged to take time to not only grieve and to heal, but also to figure out who you are and who you want to be with,” notes clinical psychologist Lena Dicken, Psy.D.^{[13]
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What percent of guys never have a girlfriend? It’s hard to determine the exact percentage of men who have never had a girlfriend since relationship statuses can change, but recent studies have shown that a large percentage of young men are single. More than 60% of U.S. men in their 20s are single, according to The Hill. This represents two times the rate of single young women.^{[14]
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Can you live life without a partner? Many people can primarily live their lives without a life partner and even enjoy being single. It’s often seen as beneficial to not undergo failed relationships, but at the same time, human beings are social creatures.
- Some psychological effects of never having a girlfriend or boyfriend include feeling desperation and experiencing loneliness and depression. It depends on the person, their life situation, and the way they approach being single.
- The key is waking up each day feeling self-worth and being grateful for the things you have in life.^{[15]
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Section 4 of 4:

Final Thoughts

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You can live a happy life while remaining single. Take steps that make your single status not just ok, but a gift. Use your free time to pursue both professional and personal goals, hobbies, or other interests. Cherish the family, friends, and support system you have around you, and be kind to yourself. Go on solo “dates” whenever possible so you feel nurtured and can experience a true sense of self-love. You’ve got this—enjoy life as a party of one!

Expert Q&A

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Is it bad to date right after a breakup?

Lena Dicken, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Lena Dicken is a Clinical Psychologist based in Santa Monica, California. With over eight years of experience, Dr. Dicken specializes in therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. She utilizes an integrative approach combining Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Mindfulness-based therapies. Dr. Dicken holds a BS in Integrative Medicine from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University Los Angeles, and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Westwood. Dr. Dicken’s work has been featured in GOOP, The Chalkboard Magazine, and in numerous other articles and podcasts. She is a licensed psychologist with the state of California.

Lena Dicken, Psy.D

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

I always encourage people to let them be single for some amount of time. It's hard to fully engage and show up as your full self if you haven't had time to heal from or grieve for your last relationship. That can start a dangerous pattern where you're dating back-to-back, and then when you do eventually end up single, you'll have to process all of that heartbreak from all of those relationships.

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