Let me guess, you glance around the dinner table, and it’s all couples, couples, couples. Your friends are talking about their latest “date night” while you’re just trying to remember if you defrosted chicken for dinner. You feel like an outsider in your own social circle, and honestly? It sucks.
But guess what? You are not doomed to be the token single friend, forever third-wheeling into oblivion. Here’s how to flip the script and reclaim your social life like the fierce, independent woman you are.
1. Embrace Your Solo Superpower
While your friends are navigating in-law drama and debating over who last loaded the dishwasher, you have the luxury of doing WHATEVER YOU WANT. Want to book a last-minute trip? Do it. Want to binge-watch an entire season of a show without consulting anyone? Go for it.
Instead of seeing yourself as the “odd one out,” start embracing the freedom that comes with your current stage in life. Trust me, some of those married folks secretly envy your independence.
2. Expand Your Social Circle (Because Variety is the Spice of Life)
Hanging out exclusively with married friends can start to feel like you’re living in a rom-com where you’re the comedic sidekick. So, diversify your crew. Join a meetup group, take a class, attend an event that speaks to YOUR interests. Surrounding yourself with a mix of single, married, younger, older, and wildly different people will make your social life so much more fulfilling.
3. Stop Waiting for an Invite, Be the One Who Plans!
One reason you might feel left out is because your married friends are busy juggling their lives and don’t always think to reach out. Instead of waiting for the next pity invite, take control! Organize a brunch, host a game night, or plan an all-girls weekend. People love being invited to fun things, they just need someone to take the lead. Why not you?
4. Find Your ‘Go-To’ Activities That Don’t Rely on Others
Sometimes, the best company is yourself. Having a list of solo activities that you genuinely enjoy can help combat that left-out feeling. Whether it’s hiking, painting, or just treating yourself to a fancy solo dinner (yes, you deserve it), having independent joys ensures you’re never reliant on someone else’s availability.
5. Address the Elephant in the Room
If you’re really feeling sidelined by your married friends, it might be time for some real talk. It doesn’t have to be dramatic, just a simple, “Hey, I feel like I’ve been missing out on time with you guys lately,” can open up a conversation. Most of the time, they aren’t leaving you out on purpose, they just need a gentle nudge to realize you still want to be included.
6. Remember: Your Relationship Status Does Not Define You
Society has a weird way of making us think being single is some kind of transitional phase rather than a perfectly valid way to live. But being single (widowed or otherwise) doesn’t mean you’re in limbo, it means you have endless possibilities.
Your worth isn’t tied to being part of a couple. Your life is rich, full, and amazing just as it is. Anyone who makes you feel otherwise needs a reality check.
Your Turn: What’s Your Secret to Staying Social?
I want to hear from you! How do you handle being the single friend in a married-up world? Drop your best tip in the comments below!