The Life a of a Single "Twenty-Something"

I am 23 years old...and I am single. It's not a bad life. I had a girlfriend...once. We dated somewhere between a year and a half and two years, so going back into singledom when we mutually decided (as if that ever really happens) to call it quits was kind of a shock to me. I forgot what it was like to basically do what I want when I want without having to answer to anyone in case it may have not have been 100% (or even 50%) okay. So having lived both ends of the spectrum from being in a committed relationship to not even having so much as a prospect on my next "soul-mate," I have found that being the single twenty-something has its pros and its cons.

PROS

1. I do what I want
After nearly two years of having to consult someone on decisions ranging on where my life is going to what movie am I going to see, it was a nice change to not have to do that anymore. I can simply do as I please, regardless of what kind of decision it is.
2. Fiscally beneficial
The whole "I do what want" principle includes my money (what little I have). When I go out to eat, I'm only responsible to pay for myself. Come Holidays and what not, that's one good chunk of change I don't have to spend. I also don't have to worry about being the main financial contributor to special anniversaries and romantic holidays, or when I hear "Let's just buy that." The word "Let's" usually implies "we", when in reality, it means "me." It also sucks when you break up and of course the movies that "we" bought all stayed with her, and boy do I miss The Prestige.
3. My jokes stay fresh
I guess when you don't see me as often as if you were dating me, I remain funny. But if you hang around me long enough, I guess the joking gets old.

CONS

1. Everyone else is doing it
I am not a jealous person, but I'll be honest, when many of your friends are getting married or are with someone they plan on marrying, you can't help but wish you weren't single. It's not a "I'm lonely" thing, it's more of "I don't want to have to go through the hassle of dating" thing. You can tell I'm a hopeless romantic. I mean, I do plan on getting married someday to that special someone, but it's quite easy to get impatient when others seem to make it look so easy.
2. Everyone else also has a perfect match for you
Once someone gets into a relationship or married they no longer have to worry about finding someone for them. So the logical next step is to not worry about it anymore and enjoy the fact that you found someone, but this is not true when it comes to friends. Friends now make it their obligation to set you up with someone, especially if these friends have estrogen or are a particular married couple whose names rhyme with Smosh and Fanna Desham. They always have that "perfect" match for you and to miss out on this opportunity would be the worst mistake ever (and your friends know because they've known this person for a whole week!) Night and day, they will hound you about this dream girl. They will let you know that you have so much in common, such as, you both are single and.........neither of you are dating anyone, and that's the only depth any relationship really needs. Eventually, they may get the hint, but they'll just think of someone else and here we are again. After my ex and I's "mutual" break-up, it didn't really take me too long to get over my past relationship. It was actually surprisingly fast, but I thought it would be best to not let anyone else know that and let them believe "I'm still getting over her." That worked for a while, then I ran with the whole "I don't plan on living here much longer and don't want a long-distance relationship." Apparently, that doesn't work as well, but I'm still trying to milk it for the time-being. So whatever reason you have for not proposing to their absolutely flawless catch for you, you better get some resistance because letting down, is not an option for them.
3. You can't stay single forever
Let's face it, despite every pro of being single, no one really wants to be single forever and I don't think anyone wants to wait until their 40s to finally tie the knot (especially if you practice abstinence, I'm just sayin'). So of course you have those moments of panic where you think "Maybe I'm too picky," "Maybe I'm not trying hard enough," or "Maybe it's because my hair line is receding at 23." I just never want to get to a point to where I start considering Singles Ministries. Don't get me wrong, they seem to work well for some but I've informed some close friends that if I ever start considering this last resort, just kill me. I'm too far gone, just take me out. I will resist, but you must put an end to my misery. Why am I against this? Because anytime I hear the words "Singles Ministry," I get this image in my head:
Terrifying, I know. I just feel that if I ever get this desperate to commit myself to a ministry that thrives on such themes as "Salsa Saturday," "Cowboy Night," and "Luau of Love," then it's time for me to go be with Jesus. I can't help but find it funny that most supporters of forcing, I mean helping people get into Singles Ministries, NEVER went to a Singles Ministry to find their mate.

So is that special someone out there to rescue me from chaos of singledom, I'm sure, but until that time, I'm going to enjoy the pros and try to tolerate the cons of being a single twenty-something.