Question Twenty-Four - Who's walking the journey with you?

Question Twenty Four – How have you gone about forming a support group or ‘tribe’ of people to walk the ‘single’ chapter of your story with you?

Donna

I didn't do anything really, it just seemed to fall into place.

Alyss

Interestingly, a lot of my school friends are still single, so the group has ‘grown’ up together and stayed a group of single women, so I didn’t have to do anything there. In new environments, however, it seems to be the case that the singletons kind of find each other in the spaces as a person alone is notably different from the couples and the families. After an event, then it’s suggesting cups of coffee, or seeing a show together, whatever the vibe may be, and then seeing if friendship grows from there. I have never seen it as ‘support’, I see it as mutually enjoyable friendship, where, if I think about it, there isn’t much conversation about finding a guy, there’s more chat on work, family, home-making, pets, hobbies and spirituality.

CJ

Not consciously, though I do tend to gravitate more towards single people than married couples. That said, I have many married friends and do enjoy visiting for tea/coffee.

Alexa

I’ve met other single women through work and church and gravitated towards them because they understand what it’s like to be single at our age.

KA

I wouldn’t say I have actively ‘formed a support group’ but I treasure my friendships and my family relationships, which I have always done, whether I’m in a relationship or not.

NH

As I stated previously, I am very grateful to have several good friends my age who are still single.  This does not form the basis of most of our conversation, but there are opportunities to give support or lend a listening ear to a particular issue that is causing upset.

Lizanne

I have facilitated single parenting support groups and have made one or two really good lady friends, with women who have been single parents themselves at some stage and who truly understand and can relate to my own journey.  Church is also a great place to not only find support, but to support others in the same boat as myself.

C.B.

I again go back to not being a stereotype.Being friends with both husbands and wives and being able to converse on all levels with both has helped me to be okay with being single.I have friends of all ages, genders and races.Maybe this will change in the future, however at this time I am at peace with where I am.