The Joy of Being Single: Stop Putting Your Life on Hold and Start Living!

Singleness is not the stigma it used to be. Author Janice Harayda shows how singles can live their lives to the fullest without waiting for a spouse. She provides a checklist of 54 items that the reader can use to determine whether he/she is holding his/her life back owing to singleness. For instance, the single should fully celebrate religious holidays, have at least one hot, balanced meal a day, not wait to have someone to go with to movies, vacation, etc. (go alone if necessary), not remain in an apartment forever, have friendships with elderly people, be involved in the raising of the next generation of children (as by involvement in youth work), etc. She repeatedly cautions against thinking that one cannot be happy without a mate. She also says: "Research increasingly shows that fulfilled people have more than one source of satisfaction and often have many." (p. 15) Finally, singleness can be profitably used to develop a talent (p. 215). This is especially the case when a systematic, intensive focus is required.

I read this book in the mid-80's. Bought it for $1.00 at a sidewalk sale. Read it; thoroughly enjoyed it; practiced what it preached and mistakenly lent it to some co-workers to read. Never got it back. I want to buy another copy, now. It has made my life as a single much more enjoyable and without excuses or apologies. It's my life and I live it to the full. Ms. Harayda hits the nail on the head every time. Great read even now in the 2000's.

A "must read" book for all "singles" out there! I first read this book when it came out in the 80's and liked it very much at that time. I re-read it again recently and found that I had been following many of the suggestions which Ms.Harayda makes for single people and have had many positive results. If you are single-read this book!