LIFE

All your best gal pals are in relationships and, while you're sincerely happy for them, sometimes being the single friend just plain sucks. You still get together for shopping seshes or dinners at Panera but it happens a lot less frequently, now that Jess has date night with Ryan on Saturdays and Kate has plans with Chris almost every Friday. It can feel like your friends are slipping away or that you're doomed to a life of loneliness but fear not, single girls! Here's how to handle being the third (or fifth, or seventh) wheel in your friend group.

Be honest with your besties.
If you feel like your friend is always ditching you for her BF, have a one-on-one chat with her. Tell her how you're feeling and that you love hanging out with her and her sweetie but you still want some girl time. Don't be too demanding or clingy though—romantic relationships, especially new ones, are super exciting and time-consuming so be understanding if your friend is unaware of what's been going on.  

Tag along.
Obviously your BFF wants some quality alone time with her BF and yes, being a third wheel can get old fast, but sometimes it's fun to hang out with your girl and her boy. Especially if he has some cute single friends. Whether it's pumpkin picking or going to see a movie, you can find a lot of activities to do as a group so your friend can be with her two fave people and doesn't have to choose you or him. Win-win.

Don't rush.
When you're the single friend, suddenly everyone wants to set you up with their brother's cousin or their neighbor's nephew. Be open-minded and of course, go on dates if you're interested. But don't feel pressured to be in a relationship just because everyone else is and you're feeling left out. Jumping into a relationship that isn't right or staying with the wrong person because you're afraid to be alone never ends well. As cliche as it sounds, your time will come and until then...

Enjoy the single life!
Being alone doesn't have to be a bad thing. Now is your chance to explore new places, take up a new hobby and bascially do whatever the heck you want to do. Whether it's checking out that pottery-making class or just spending Friday night in sweatpants with Netflix and takeout, you do you, girl.  

Have you ever been the single friend? How do you deal? Let us know in the comments! 

by Amanda Tarlton | 3/29/2018