Celebrating life is important. Highlighting achievements and goals is a great way to think about how far we’ve come.
However: most of those celebrations are aimed at couples.
Engagements.
Weddings.
Baby showers (it’s about at least two people after all…).
It’s easy to forget about your own achievements as a single person, because they don’t fall within the societal norm of what we should be celebrating. Here I’m listing out some achievements that you should be damn proud of; regardless of if you want to commemorate them together or alone.
Job Promotions & New Jobs
Who landed that job? You did. Who got that promotion? You did. Who gets to celebrate that career move? You do!
It’s easy to brush things under the rug or forget about them, especially if your friends and family don’t really recognise the achievement. Here’s where you need to step up and celebrate yourself! Invite others for drinks or coffee, or treat yourself to a spa day – just don’t ignore that something big happened!
Even more so because promotions and career changes often take place over a longer period of time. It may feel at that point that it’s no longer special, because it’s no longer ‘news’ to you. Make it a point to celebrate anyway, and allow yourself to feel proud of your accomplishment.
Bought a house / moved house
The usual picture of a key are a front door or in the living room on Instagram – we know it well. Don’t let the party stop there though!
If you’re comfortable you could have a traditional housewarming to welcome friends and family to your new place. Alternatively, why not offer a quick tour before testing out the local establishments of your choice?
It’s not only a way to celebrate a milestone for you, it’s also an opportunity to connect with those close to you, and invite them to have a look into your life.
Sport & Hobby goals
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Running a marathon. Beat world hunger.
I won’t be able to do any of that any time soon (or ever!). I have however survived my first year of going self-employed, and want to keep going. My friend completely a stand-up comedy course.
Your successes don’t have to be huge to be recognised. If they are important to you, you are allowed to mark them in some way. Perhaps a champagne dinner for every time you go to the gym is a bit over the top, but why not get yourself a new sports outfit after keeping the habit for 6 months?
Celebrate your solo friends
“It’s the thought that counts.”
That applies to you, and it also applies to your solo friends. If you hear they have a new job, offer to celebrate with a drink or a coffee. Send them a “well done” card when they’ve shared an achievement that means a lot to them.
While yes, it would be fantastic if we single people received many gifts similar to a baby shower or engagement whenever we’ve reached a goal, that’s not really what we’re after. It’s the recognition of our achievements that matters. That we don’t need to be in a relationship to be considered a complete person.
Invite people to celebrate with you
Not everyone is as clued into your needs and wants as you are. Especially when you’re on your own, you’ll find that you are the one that needs to hang up the balloons yourself and throw yourself a party, as no one else will do it for you.
That doesn’t mean people aren’t willing to celebrate you. You have to give them a chance to do so. This may feel like you have to put in all the effort (try to avoid words like ‘always’ or ‘all the time’), but it will allow your nearest and dearest to show up for you – they just need to know when.
Show recognition for achievements, regardless of societal standards
Maybe you’re not interested in becoming a yoga teacher or throwing a whole dinner set in pottery class, but it could mean the world to your friend when they achieve that goal. So celebrate them and their achievements!
Not every goal needs a balloon arch and Instagram hashtag, but recognizing milestones is such an important part of life – for single people, for couples, and for every individual.