You walk past bridal mags and flinch. Or you’re content just living together. Or maybe you prefer a bohemian, nontraditional, independent lifestyle free from any societal influence. Or maybe you haven’t found the one or don’t even believe in the concept of the one .

There are lots of reasons why marriage might not be for you.

And if you don’t want to get married, that’s no big deal these days. You can live your life as a loving, liberated, secure, satisfied woman who does what she pleases. Damn those outdated, oppressive notions of being an unwanted spinster or romantic failure.

But what about the occasional day when you look at your married friends with envy.

Or when your family asks for the millionth time, “You don’t like being alone, do you?”

Or when you fill out your 817th form, check off the Single/Not Married box, and lose your effing mind.

If you ever have a moment of self-doubt around not being married, please hear this: Being unmarried doesn’t mean no babies, no home, no relationship, no sex, no carpools, and no happiness.

Just like being married doesn’t guarantee babies, a home, a healthy relationship, hot sex, carpools, happiness, or anything really.

Our point: Create the life you want. You don’t have to do anything except the stuff that pays the rent and makes you happy. If you want to have a kid, there are ways to do that . (Until then, there’s birth control .) If you want to shack up without the formality of a marriage certificate, go for it. Just don’t ever feel bad about your choice if you choose not to marry.

If it’s right for you, it’s right.

XOXO,
Bedsider

P.S. Single or married, everyone could use a long, relaxing bath. And making your own homemade bath scrub is super easy, alone or together.