I need your opinion.
I’m in my late-20s, still living at home with my parents, single and childless – but while I think it’s okay, it seems like other people can’t wrap their heads around it.
“When are you getting married, Meagan?” is a question, or rather a statement, that I am faced with almost every other day.
And, while I generally see nothing wrong with my situation and lifestyle, I am beginning to feel a whiff of doubt and a teeny bit of concern.
Just the other day a distant aunt (whom I hadn’t seen in some time) looked at me with genuine pity in her eyes and said: “You’re not getting any younger, you know. Time is running out!”
I actually wanted to bawl my eyes out.
To add insult to injury, most all of my close friends are either blissfully shacked up, engaged or about to start a family.
Now, I know I am nowhere near ready for any of it (heck, I don’t even have a stable boyfriend!) but, at 27 years of age, shouldn’t I at least have a plan?
I am already the go-to babysitter, the favourite aunt, the organiser of bachelorettes… But deep down, it honestly worries me. And the doubts just keep creeping in.
Sure, I’ve done okay for myself. I got my tertiary education, I established a career, I travelled and saved up enough to buy a car. I’ve also got a fabulous social circle and am really enjoying this time. Why should the fact that I don’t have a man stop me from loving and living? I keep telling myself: “It's fine, you only get to do this once!”
But, this little niggle – the fact that I’m not serious about anyone or even in an actual relationship – seems to imply that there’s something wrong with me.
The social pressure to hook up with someone hasn’t eased. In fact, it just gets worse as the years pass by.
Should being alone bother me?
Tell me, until my day comes, how do I deal with these conflicting emotions? How do I respond to the aunties and uncles who insist that my life is incomplete without a man? Single gals, married folk...share your story if you can relate.