So, you want a serious relationship, but it’s just not happening for you.

12 reasons people stay single:

Dating isn’t a priority.

)so cut yourself some slack.

Kelly Gonsalves

You’re letting fear hold you back.

You haven’t met the right person.

Not in the cliched way, but in the numbers way!

You keep dating the wrong kind of people.

It’s OK to have high standards for a partnership.

You have no standards at all.

You have yet to learn key relationship skills.

You’re holding on to the past.

You have unhealed wounds.

“Unresolved trauma often gets in the way of finding a loving partner,” she explains.

You’re disadvantaged by societal biases.

“Being single is probably not all your fault,” Battle reassures.

You aren’t open-minded to modern dating culture.

Many people yearn for the old days, when everyone met their partners in bars and church groups.

Of course, plenty of folks still do meet their partners that way, and you could too.

(To help, we did the work of rounding up thebest dating apps for serious relationships.)

You don’t actually want a relationship.

Is it normal to be single?

These and various other recent studies suggest the single population in America is actually growing.

This is hard work because it involves attempting to detangle yourtruedesires from what society hastold youto desire.

Reflect on your dating life, including past, present, and desired future.

If you do earnestly seek partnership, spend some time taking a deep dive into your dating life.

Are they too high?

Prioritize your dating life, for real.

“It might mean throwing up a dating profile for the first time.

Small steps add up over time and help you get more comfortable with the uncomfortable process of dating.”

And if you’re not on thedating appsyet?

Be clear about what you want.

“This will help people who are in a similar position find you.

Most people have a go at sell how great they are, and that’s OK to an extent.

Find ways to appreciate single life.

Being single isn’t a curse!

“If you feel uncomfortable being single, pause to consider where the discomfort stems from.

Here’s ourfull guide on how to be happy being single.

FAQ

How common is it to stay single?

How long are most people single?

That said, there’s no set timeline for how long people remain single before finding a relationship.

Some people also choose to remain single all their lives.

Does being single too long affect mental health?

The takeaway.

Being in a healthy, loving relationship is one of life’s great pleasures.

Just remember that your timeline doesn’t need to match up with that of the people around you.

Give yourself a little grace and a little compassion as you move through the journey.