Thursday, March 25, 2010

Single Diaries

Recently it has come to my attention that I’m leading a life of thrill, independence, satisfaction. Ironically I believe that I’m leading a life of terror, dependence and heaven forbid hopelessness. Each ‘thrilling’ ‘independent’ outing leaves me more and more shattered at the state of my life.

Arguably this topic is a cliché, a monolithic topic that bears no results. Singleness. Even just typing the word gives me goose bumps, I know I’m not doing my feminist sisters any justice but let’s cut the crap here everyone in this world wants someone special as much as we deny it. It’s what society expects of us after all. So by not adhering to the norms shouldn’t I be rejoicing, praising my ability to be different, unique, to be someone one who can say NO to the strict rules and structures of our world. I wish. Instead I find myself crying, begging and pleading to be included in this world which seems to have no room for me.

In true Sex and the City form I find myself looking at the world around me, constantly searching for that someone (even I have not reached a stage where anyone will do). Alas it seems all my searching leaves me empty, feeling worse than when I started my search of what now seems the impossible. Am I too harsh on myself? Do I have higher than normal standards? Am I not good enough? Worse is the continuous question that I won’t allow myself to think but can’t stop thinking.... IS IT ME? 


Singledom places mayhem on ones self-esteem, it constantly plagues you with questions and self accusations. I started to pick on everything wrong I’ve done or am doing until even I won’t go out with me. This is what it has come down to, a sense of motivational prep talks or a self loathing talk. It’s all too much to bear. I know I’m coming out strong but can any of us truly deny not being in the same situation and achieving the same results. If you can you’re obviously living a life of delusion and lies, it’s time to accept what you are my friend. You, me a few others in this world we’re no different. We’re singles. The world unfortunately has no room for us singles or so I’ve noticed. It is full of two’s, love songs and happily ever after. 
All my couple friends tell me that it will be ok; I will find that right someone who will sweep me off my feet. All the clichés of the world are thrown at me until my head feels like it’s about to explode.

Ah the patronising tones of those in love however, when they realise you’re no longer listening is when you get in trouble. Behold a tactical change about how lucky we are to be single, the freedom it gives us, the power, the joy. It takes a lot of courage not to rudely remark that perhaps if they dumped their significant other they too can be single and enjoy the freedom, power or joy. Better yet come out and get hit on by people who are years older than you, married or just plain scary and tell me that life is full of roses for us single people then. 


1 comment:

  1. Dear Zinnia,

    I read your piece. You have tremendous passion. Go gently. Keep plumbling the depths of who you are. For you (we all are) wonderfully made. (Isaiah 43:4). Discover more deeply how you are loved at the core of your being. When we discover who we are, something so few people do, we naturally attract others who wonder what it is that makes us so wonderful. The very fact of our being.

    Have you heard the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou? Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqOqo50LSZ0

    You may write me down in history
    With your bitter, twisted lies,
    You may trod me in the very dirt
    But still, like dust, I'll rise.

    Does my sassiness upset you?
    Why are you beset with gloom?
    'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
    Pumping in my living room.

    Just like moons and like suns,
    With the certainty of tides,
    Just like hopes springing high,
    Still I'll rise.

    Did you want to see me broken?
    Bowed head and lowered eyes?
    Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
    Weakened by my soulful cries.

    Does my haughtiness offend you?
    Don't you take it awful hard
    'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
    Diggin' in my own back yard.

    You may shoot me with your words,
    You may cut me with your eyes,
    You may kill me with your hatefulness,
    But still, like air, I'll rise.

    Does my sexiness upset you?
    Does it come as a surprise
    That I dance like I've got diamonds
    At the meeting of my thighs?

    Out of the huts of history's shame
    I rise
    Up from a past that's rooted in pain
    I rise
    I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
    Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
    Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
    I rise
    Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
    I rise
    Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
    I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
    I rise
    I rise
    I rise.

    Peace be with you. You may like this book: http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Who-You-Are-Christian/dp/158768036X

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