Our identity is tied to our relationship status. We can't help but notice and crave the type of comfort and security we see in these very happy relationships. Being single is not the norm, it's more acceptable to be part of a couple even,. a dysfunctional one, than it is to be happy and content by yourself. The Grass Is Greener Syndrome: When we feel like something is desirable or worthwhile or rare such as a relationship, our subconscious mind makes us want it more.
Being single has never been more common, with more people being single than ever before in history. And yet, we still experience a great degree of social and internal stigma, and even shame, around our relationship status. From the comments of family or friends saying that "you'll find someone soon", to the movies where marriage and partnership is the happy ending, sometimes we feel the need to settle in order to be happy or live up to societies expectations. In today's episode we explore the psychology behind this - from gender schema theory, to the scarcity effect, media psychology, identity fusion, and the hidden benefits of our single years. We also discuss whether it's wrong to want a relationship and whether we need to be fully healed before dating again? The answer is, it's complicated. Listen now!
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