I've Been Single Throughout Quarantine — And It's Made Me A Better Person

Honestly, I'm loving it.

Why I've Loved Being Single During The Coronavirus Pandemic Getty
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By Brandy Robidoux

When Los Angeles County first announced a stay-at-home order was going into effect in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, I immediately felt a sense of panic run through my body.

What would this mean for me, my roommates, and my life as a single woman going forward?

The fearless, independent version of myself slipped away for just a moment and was replaced by someone who was envious of all the couples who had someone to hunker down with.

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RELATED: 7 Expert Tips For Coping With Loneliness & Staying Connected During COVID-19 Isolation

Thankfully, that mentality didn't last very long. Within a few days, I found my social distancing stride.

Gone was the day-to-day chaos of my usual city life, and in its place was a slowed-down, simpler, and much quieter version.

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I started working from home, and without my usual after-work plans, I had a lot of time to reflect and reassess certain aspects of my life.

I was finally able to focus on something I had forgotten about for a while: myself. And it felt really good.

My roommate and I bought some weights for at-home workouts; I sent recipes back and forth with old friends; and I signed up for online dance classes.

Soon enough, I was spending my free time exercising and taking care of my body, and doing things I had never done before, like practicing ballet, and enjoying home-cooked meals I made myself.

I felt empowered and self-confident through and through.

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If the stay-at-home order had been imposed a few months earlier, things would have been drastically different for me.

I was still in my last relationship then, and it was filled with lots of late night pizza runs and lazy mornings where the gym didn't seem so important. These habits, I know, would not have served me well during social distancing.

RELATED: 6 Easy Steps To Relax Stress & Calm Down When Coronavirus Anxiety Strikes

Being in that relationship would have prevented me from slowing down and thinking about what truly makes me happy. Instead, I feel more connected to myself than ever.

I've found a new sense of independence — one deeper than I've ever felt before. And I did it all on my own.

You don't have to learn a new skill, workout every day, or bake banana bread to feel fulfilled while staying at home, but you do need to figure out what's best for you during this time.

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For me, learning that being alone is not synonymous with being lonely has been hugely important.

Do I still have waves of envy now and then when I see cute photos of my couple friends on social media? Of course. But I mostly just feel lucky.

I get to spend this time exactly how I want, and at the end of the day, I know in my heart that being single right now is exactly what my heart needed.

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While some businesses and beaches are slowly beginning to re-open in LA, I see a light at the end of this still very long tunnel. And while there may be a few more waves ahead, I know there's no one else I would rather weather the storm with than myself.

RELATED: 'Social Ditching': How To Use Social Distancing To End A Toxic Relationship

Brandy Robidoux is a writer who focuses on health and wellness, self-care, and mental health. For more of her self-care content, visit her author profile on PopSugar.