Science has spoken: Being single can be just as fulfilling as being in a relationship. (Because duh.)

I don’t have a problem with being single—I have a problem with everyone else’s problem with it. For as long as I can remember, I’ve never been much for relationships. The few times I’ve attempted to go down that road always ended in a five-car pileup of alcohol and self-loathing. And not because the relationships ended, but because I kept trying to commit to something that’s not in my nature.

That’s not to say I won’t end up in a relationship eventually, but it’ll be because I sincerely want to, not because the couples in my life are uncomfortable with my perpetual singledom. Luckily, a recent study revealed what we single ladies have known all along: Being single can be just as satisfying as being in a relationship, but it depends on your attitude toward relationships.

The study, called “Happily Single: The Link Between Relationship Status and Well-Being Depends on Avoidance and Approach Social Goals,” was conducted by researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. They surveyed 4,000 adults twice, one year apart—and since one-fifth of participants were single at the time of both surveys, researchers were able to get a better glimpse into what being single really feels like.

They wanted to find out how people’s temperaments impact their relationship goals, and found that people who tend to avoid conflict and drama in relationships reported that being single was just as satisfying as being coupled up. On the flipside, people who weren’t bothered by the hormonal rollercoaster relationships can turn into were less happy when they were single. Because avoiding drama isn’t a top priority for them, they’re able to focus on what makes a relationship great.

As for why some people find avoiding relationship stressors more important than others, that’s beyond the scope of this particular study. For me personally, I find the drama distracting, exhausting, and a total waste of time. I attribute these feelings to the fact that I’m naturally a reclusive loner who’s never prioritized the whole human interaction thing, and I also have severe commitment issues due to trapping myself in some pretty undesirable situations in the past.

But I only ended up trapped because I wasn’t trusting my instincts: I was letting other people plant seeds of doubt about who I am and how my life should be. Now, those people can suck it. This study (finally!) proves that there’s no one-size-fits-all way to live your life, and you can’t let other people dictate the terms, no matter how well-intentioned they are. Whether they realize it or not, they’re meddling in your life to make themselves feel better, not you.

You know what you want and need better than anybody—and if that’s being single, own it and enjoy the (millions of) perks while your friends walk around in their proverbial shackles. (Enter evil laugh here.)

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Because some of the best movies to watch are even better when you’re flying solo.

While one of the main perks of being a twosome is snuggling up and watching a movie together (or ignoring the movie entirely for a makeout sesh), there are some movies you can’t fully appreciate unless you’re single—either because it’s one of those movies your bf would mock endlessly (so not cool), or because you’d much rather be single than drown in the messy-ass relationships depicted onscreen.

Here are 8 of the best movies to watch when you’re living the single life:

1. “Kill Bill”

The “Kill Bill” movies are by far the best movies to watch when you’re single—especially if your last relationship was the shits. As you’ll learn from these amazingly bloody flicks, it could’ve been worse. Like, way worse.

2. “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion”

If you’re newly single and down in the dumps about it, there’s nobody better to teach you how kick-ass singledom can be than Romy and Michele. (Just don’t pretend you invented Post-Its. It never works.)

3. “Frances Ha”

This movie is a rare find: It’s about a young woman who’s trying to find a sense of identity in the big city that doesn’t revolve around her meeting a hot guy and falling in love—proving you don’t need a man to be happy, but you do need more popcorn.

4. “Sleeping With the Enemy”

One of my biggest fears is ending up with a guy who works a side job… as a serial killer. (This could stem from my mom being a “Dateline” fanatic, but whatev.) The husband in this movie is basically every woman’s worst nightmare.

5. “Waiting to Exhale”

This is also one of the best movies to watch with your besties (because girl power). Four BFFs bond over their shitty love lives and how hard it is to find a good man. The story’s an important reminder that women need to stand together, and stop acting like dudes are the ultimate accessory. That slot can also be filled by a Gucci bag, with no heartache required.

6. “Fatal Attraction”

I really don’t need to explain this one, do I? But in case I do: Being single means never becoming the wife who’s attacked by the psycho mistress. Watching this movie makes my ovaries shrivel up into little raisins.

7. “Blue Valentine”

If you hate being single and are starting to write Facebook statuses about it, nothing will change your mind faster than watching this movie. In fact, watching Cindy and Dean’s dysfunctional relationship crumble will make you so grateful you’re solo, your friends might start putting “Sister Mary” before your name.

8. “Titanic”

If you’re single, you won’t have to worry about pesky things like who gets the door in the event of a disaster. You know, no biggie.

What do you think are the best movies to watch when you’re single?

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The curious case of being single and awesome.

Relationships are great, don’t get me wrong—the loving, the bonding, the sexing—but there are so many amazing perks that come with being single too. So many, in fact, it’s difficult to ignore the awesomeness of flying solo:

1. You can get your flirt on guilt-free.

2. The entire bed. All to yourself.

3. You don’t have to waste time on his douchey friends.

4. You also don’t have to do the whole insta-BFF thing which his douchey friends’ douchey girlfriends.

5. You can skip shaving for months and nobody will ever know.

6. Your at-home rituals can be as gross and unattractive as you want.

7. You’re not financially tied to someone.

8. Vibrators don’t expect you to return the favor.

9. When you clean your place, it actually stays that way.

10. There’s no such thing as a predictable night out.

11. Sleep. As in, you actually get some.

12. You can be as bloaty and miserable on your period as you want without having to consider someone else’s feelings (or libido).

13. The recommendations on your Netflix queue are actually for you.

14. Closet space.

15. You don’t have to deal with someone else’s family when you can barely deal with your own.

16. Your future relationships will be that much better because you’re taking the time to deal with your shit.

17. You can order the exact pizza toppings you want.

18. You don’t have to compete with an Xbox for attention.

19. You can take as long as you want to get ready without someone getting all judgey.

20. You don’t have to find a place for his scary garage sale chair or gaudy football paraphernalia.

21. You can work late/accept anonymous invites without having to check with anyone first.

22. You can make mistakes without anyone holding them against you.

23. Freedooom!

What do you love most about being single?

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