Being the single person in a group of loved-up couples can be a struggle.
11 things you’ll know if you’re the single one in your group of friends
You love your solo life, and know being single is better than being in a bad relationship, but you can't help but feel a certain hardship when you're attending yet another Zoom quiz as a team of one.
Here are a few other annoyances solo friends will be able to relate to…
1. You're always third-wheeling
Whether it's turning up to a socially distanced BBQ amidst lots of happy twosomes, or ignoring your friends' PDAs, you've completely perfected the art of hanging out with couples. In fact, you're so used to it, you almost can't imagine bringing a new partner of your own into the group dynamic.
2. Your friends are vicariously living through your bad dating stories
Your catch-ups used to consist of you all laughing about your #guyproblems, but now the rest of the group has settled down, it's just you regaling everyone with the latest awful tale from the frontline of internet dating.
During which, your friends gasp and squeal in horror, secretly feeling happy they've just put down a deposit on a house with their significant other.
3. Your pals have a mixture of pity and envy for your lifestyle
On the one hand, they're convinced being single would be unimaginably lonely, terrifyingly stressful and all kinds of unstable – but they also can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy when they hear you're spontaneously plotting a post-lockdown career break while they're stuck at home saving for a wedding.
4. You're constantly getting set up with random people
Your friends mean well, but you're getting sick of being set up with random colleagues and far-removed cousins you have absolutely nothing in common with, save for the fact you're both still single. No thanks!
5. Weddings are always #awks
From shuffling off the dancefloor when a slow song comes on, to signing the guestbook on your own, attending weddings alone always filled you with a mixture of panic and dread.
So you're secretly happy lots of the weddings you were meant to be attending this summer have been postponed until next year. It's nice to have a break from the questions about why you're still single from well-meaning but nosy guests.
6. You're the friend that's always up for a night out
Your friends know you as the person to go to when they're fed up of cosy nights in with their significant others. Your wild nights out with them have been put on hold recently, so you've all made a pact to really make the most of them when they do happen again.
7. You're always cracking jokes about how single you are
To deflect from the pitying comments, you often make light of your single situation by joking about how 'desolately alone' you are. You've told everyone you're quite content being single – which is true – but you're pretty sure nobody believes you, so you just laugh loudly on the group chat to move the conversation on.
8. You're secretly happy when your friends hint that their relationship might be on the rocks
Not that you want them to be unhappy, but you'd selfishly be over the moon if one of your pals suddenly joined you on the single side. Any hint of trouble in paradise is music to your ears.
9. Before lockdown, it was a struggle to get people to go on holiday with you
Now your friends are all settled down, they never seem to have the time or money to join you for a messy weekend festival in Europe, or a backpacking expedition through Asia. They're too busy saving up for a romantic trip to the Maldives, or a new kitchen.
10. You've made other friends
Your friends quiz you on your mysterious new single friends you've recently been meeting up with in the park. Without having your old pals around for companionship, you've had to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people living the single lifestyle too.
11. Your friends' boyfriends actually give the best advice
The best thing about your friends having partners? You can ask them for a guy's perspective on dating. Even if you know your last date was a total dud, it's still good to get two opinions for the price of one. And since you've spent so much time being single and feeling comfortable around other couples, you know you don't need to settle for anything less than the real thing.