Some people appear to believe that if you're not loved up, ensconced in a relationship with a special someone, then you must be in a tragic state of despair, desperately waiting for someone, anyone to come along.
Whilst it is lovely to have someone in your life, someone to come home to, to share problems and good news with, having a partner does not guarantee unequivocal happiness.
Many people find that a loveless relationship is one of the loneliest places on earth.
Let's look at five top tips for a happy single life: - Count your blessings.
It's often tempting to talk about the problems, losses and setbacks in life and often, as a single person, there is a need to talk through serious matters with family, friends and colleagues; after all there may be no one else to share those with or get advice from.
But it is also important to focus on what is good, to change your mindset to one of appreciation, where the positive things are celebrated and the negative things are put into context, with a reduced level of influence.
- Enjoy your job.
Work is often an important part of a single person's life.
Whether paid or volunteer work, it's important to have something rewarding and fulfilling to occupy our time.
If you're unhappy why not ask for additional training, a change of responsibility or perhaps a job share or move elsewhere.
If that's not an option try to ensure that you have satisfying interests away from work; hobbies, a training course, a role that provides good feedback and boosts your confidence.
- Prepare in advance for alone times.
Some times may be especially difficult for a single person; Christmas, long weekends, holiday periods may be a time of dread for someone on their own.
A little forward planning can make all the difference.
There are many companies catering for people who are single, providing weekend breaks and trips.
Retreats and activity centres offer opportunities to be busy, participate and learn something new or simply have time to relax in peace.
However, if it's time at home alone that you're anticipating why not plan to make it special; shop for your favourite foods, buy a good book, fresh flowers, plan your TV viewing, have a long relaxing bath, sleep in late.
- Accept invitations.
It can be easy to think that other people issue invitations out of pity, sympathy, guilt.
Whatever the reason accept them, go along and enjoy yourself.
When they discover that you're good fun to be with and happy to enjoy yourself you'll become a part of the group.
And even if some invitations are not quite to your taste, accept them too.
You never know where they may lead.
If it's not the best night of your life at least you've had an evening out, met other people and did something a little different.
Reciprocate and arrange things that others may enjoy; get on mailing lists for concerts, shows events that people you know may be interested in.
That way you ensure that you're included in forthcoming social events.
- Do things that make you feel good.
One big advantage of being single is that you can please yourself, you're not answerable to anyone else.
Celebrate your freedom by ensuring that you do things that you enjoy.
You can drive halfway home and then decide to stop off en route, you can eat whatever, whenever you choose, act on a whim if you so choose.
Make your home a haven, a place of comfort, peace and security.
Set up a room as a studio, have a pet if you can care for it properly.
Some people stay in bad relationships out of fear of the unknown, concerns at what will others think, what if no one else comes into their life.
And indeed some people have compelling reasons to stay in unsatisfactory relationships; finances, children, family pressures.
But for those of us finding ourselves single, a little thought and planning can ensure that being single is a happy and fulfilling way to live, sometimes to the envy of unhappily coupled friends.