Shannan's blog

Question Twenty – In what ways does being single empower you? Donna The freedom I have, and not being micromanaged by other people, has taught me to be empowered. Alyss I can’t say that this unforeseen story of mine has felt ‘empowering’ whilst living it out. It has felt more like a day-to-day survival game at times. Still, now that I have survived so much, it means power must have been involved. If I look back on the last 2 decades, the person...

Question Nineteen – How does being single impact your time management? Donna I feel free. Alyss Being single has fluctuating effects on my time management. I battle to get to things because there are so many things that I must get to and do on my own, but at least I can plan and work through things without affecting anyone else, if I don’t get to anything in the time I should. So, if it’s cereal for dinner, then it’s cereal for dinner and that’s...

Question Eighteen – What pass times are great for single people? Donna Being able to do what you want; e.g. go out dancing without worrying about a husband &/ kids at home or a curfew. Alyss Goodness, I have explored so many! My favourite is a having a one-on-one coffee chat with a friend. Writing has been big for me – journaling to poetry and blogging. Reading, there is so much to read, from great new novels to the classics and the self-...

Question Seventeen – Please give some positive and supportive advice for the other amazing ladies out in the world flying solo. Donna Just enjoy your time being single. Don’t dwell on what might have been, live in the now. Alyss There is so much good you can do when it is just you. When family and/or friends have needed support or help, I can literally change most plans in an hour and get to them shortly after that. There is no-one who is...

Question Sixteen – With the shifts in culture, entertainment, education and moves towards male and female "equality"; how do you think women should approach their dialogues with young girls? Donna Truthfully explain what is out there in the world, including discussion related to their gender and what it means to be female. Alyss I think that the best way to have a conversation is with authentic truth. So I can only tell my story as it is, and as...

Question Fifteen – Do you think men’s younger upbringing helps or disables them from unity with a 21 st century woman? Why / why not? Donna If he, like a female, is brought up properly, there would be no question that their upbringing would help them. However, I blame the break-up of nuclear families where there is no male role model to look up to, for when men become less able. Alyss I am going with a yes, it does, but maybe, slowly, that can...

Question Fourteen – Do you think women’s expectations of men are too high for what men can actually offer? If yes, in what way? These are the story-answers of some respondents Donna, No, why must a woman's expectations of a man change, when a man’s expectation of a woman doesn’t change. Alyss, I think back to fairytales and the images that women have of men, where they are all royal, strong, wealthy, attractive and can handle the dragons of life...

Reasons for girls’ choice this century https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/annualmidyearpopulationestimates/mid2022#:~:text=At%20mid%2D2022%2C%20there%20were,of%20males%20since%20mid%2D2011 . Question Thirteen – Why do you think that there seem to be more single women in the world today than in the past? Donna: I think it’s due to the media telling everyone: you can be who you...

Question 12 – Consider the stories and roles you were exposed to when you were growing up, do you think they have been helpful, or not? Donna: I’m not sure either way. Alyss: Not. As I mentioned a few questions ago, the romantic novel is quite a thing that the headspace attaches itself to, setting up things in the imagination that aren’t real. Men don’t go after the woman they really want, in fact, I have spoken to a few who didn’t because the...

Question Eleven – What comments &/ situations with others, in regards to your “single status” impact you the most negatively? Donna That I won’t have any children in old age to look after me. Alyss I am not sure if it is a chauvinist thing, or a single lady thing, but being patronized and treated like I am less capable than others, is not cool. Fortunately, my life experiences and personal achievements are more than ample evidence for my...