Forget Valentine’s Day, the most awkward day of the entire year to be single is New Year’s Eve. Let me be more specific, whilst being single on New Year’s Eve is the land of opportunity for meeting someone new; as a single parent it’s the one time of year when you’re confronted by your lack of relationship status.
No one ever asks me what I’m up to on Valentine’s Day, why would they? Plus as a parent it doesn’t really have the same meaning but fast forward to the end of December and the 31st is almost the litmus test for you and your year. It’s the build up, people ask what your plans are for seeing in the New Year and if I’m honest the answer is nearly always as awkward as the question.
Boo always spends middlemas and New Year with her Father, which is the longest break I get and it’s so needed: a chance to catch up and attempt to get ahead with work, have a good old sort out, sleep and rediscover the joys of listening to music at 11pm at night while I potter round the house.
We’re fortunate that Boo attends one of the best Catholic primary schools in London but it does mean that single parents are a little thin on the ground – coupled with working from home, my circle of friends is made up of married parents and couples. I’m not as close to my single friends as I once was because let’s face it, unless you’re a parent you don’t really understand the whole child = end of social life equation.; and I get that it’s a completely normal transition.
There is a part of me that would be happy to pretend it doesn’t exist; stock up on carbs, watch a few films and have an ever-welcome early night. As much as it sounds oh so appealing I’m fully aware that as a single twenty something (albeit with a Boo) this option is a bit too cat-lady-esque and does nothing for my sanity when opportunities for a night out are as rare as having the bathroom to myself.
We come together to celebrate the old and ring in the new, yet as the singular adult in our household it can get a bit lonely even in a crowded room of adults, predominantly couples who quite rightly are pretty happy and no one wants to feel like a third wheel or even worse the token singleton… Trust me it’s not a good look at all.
This year is no different from the last three, 24 hours to go and a complete lack of plans means it could still go either way and I suppose I’m ok with that. I am in no way sad that I am single, only reminded of how defining it can sometimes be, even more so when you are a parent.
Happy New Year x
