If there is one thing I learned from this column, it is that I am not alone.
When I set out to write this, I felt as if I were the only single person in the world. I knew I was not, but I have to say that, at times, I certainly felt like I was. Our society makes it seem like individuals are always one half of a couple. It makes single synonymous with weirdo or outcast. Society makes a single girl or guy feel inadequate.
In complete honesty, I started this column plagued with that same feeling of inadequacy, though I tried denying it. I worried I was not pretty enough, or normal enough, or enough enough, but the truth is my being single has nothing do with that. I am single because I have not yet found anyone I want to be in a relationship with.
This experience was so strange because by writing about being OK with single life, I truly became OK with being single. I have been happier with myself and my situation since I started writing this column than in a long time. I guess it is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
A big chunk of my growth as a confident single woman has been all the responses I received each week as I detailed embarrassing and often personal moments.
Again and again, I read many e-mails this quarter from complete strangers telling me how they appreciated my column and my honesty about being single in Athens. It is not easy for anyone to be alone, especially when all this garbage is stuffed down your throat about happily ever after. But from the responses I have been getting, people do it all the time, and I have been doing it too.
People e-mailed me their love of eating alone, being creeped on by guys uptown or just sitting home alone while their roommates frolic away on date nights. Even more came up to me in person, recognizing my face from my goofy black and white picture despite insurmountable odds. Teachers, classmates and random people on the street all stopped to ask me if I am the Jane Adams who writes the column or to tell me how much they can relate to me.
With each person I encountered, I realized how many people are partner-less. The people who approached me were not just the loner weirdos society makes them out to be, either. They were pretty, nice and outgoing. People who, like me, just hadn't found anyone to be their personal version of Brad Pitt.
I began writing this column because I wanted to prove that being single could be a good thing. In reality, my readers taught me that instead. So here it is, ten weeks are up and I am turning in my badge as that embarrassing girl who talks about being single every Monday and going back to just the girl next door. It may be over, but I can honestly say, as I close this column, I am finally and truly damn proud to be a permanent third wheel. Really, really damn proud.
Now, in tribute to all the single ladies (and men) out there, I am going to strip down to my underclothes one last time and go dance to really embarrassing pop music. Oh, and if any of you are my soul mate, I am now accepting applications. Though you should know, I'll be OK without you.
Jane Adams is a junior studying journalism and columnist for The Post. Complain to her about how sappy this column is at ja250406@ohiou.edu
4 Opinion
Jane Adams
