Going it alone and noticing the world seems to expect a whole lot from you?
“When are you settling down?” “Have you tried online dating?” – these questions are everywhere, but are we putting too much pressure on ourselves to couple up?
We all know how important it is to find love, but maybe we’re too quick to see singlehood as a problem to be solved. Then again, with shows like Love Is Blind and the Golden Bachelorette constantly bombarding us, can we catch a break?
NPR’s Life Kit founder Meghan Keane to the rescue! Meghan joins Damona this week to unpack the layers of our complicated feelings about being single and to dissect the ways that singlism could be dealt with in your own life. Plus, she shares why embracing your single life is just as important as finding a partner.
And don’t forget to stay tuned for our Dear Damona question: “I recently reconnected with a casual long-term friend. How do I figure out if he likes me without making a fool of myself?”
(2:01) Meghan Keane
Meghan Keane is the mastermind behind NPR’s Life Kit, your go-to source for real-world wisdom on everything from budgeting to heartbreak. Fun fact: our very own Damona has appeared on several episodes of this fabulous NPR show as a host and guest. !
But wait, there’s more! Before she was dishing out life hacks, Meghan was busy making radio magic. She’s got producer cred on the mind-bending “Invisibilia” and was there from day one for the wildly popular “Ted Radio Hour.”
Now, Meghan’s taking on the ultimate solo adventure with her brand-new book, “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Partner.” It’s hot off the press and ready to revolutionize your single life!
Singlism Showdown (05:13)
“You’re too picky.” “Why aren’t you married yet?” Sound familiar? Suddenly, everyone’s an expert on your love life (or lack thereof).
Ready for a reality check? Meghan Keane drops this truth bomb: “Singlism is basically just that, having a view of singles as being less than, marginalizing them, discriminating against them.”
Time to rethink how we’re treating our single friends – and ourselves! Because newsflash: being single doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means you’re whole all on your own.
Friendship: The Secret Sauce of Single Life (25:40)
Think your social circle shrinks when you’re flying solo? Think again! Meghan talks about building a thriving community as a party of one.
Forget the TV drama – real-life connections are often built on the simplest of actions. Get ready for some surprising insights on how to expand your friendship circle and why it’s crucial for your happiness.
Trust that inner social butterfly! You might just discover a whole new world of connections waiting for you.
The ‘Party of One’ Revolution (29:39)
Rushing to find “the one”? Hit the brakes!
Meghan’s new book, “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Partner,” is here to shake up everything you thought you knew about being single. It’s not about waiting for your life to start – it’s about living it to the fullest right now!
Discover why treating your single life like its own fabulous party could be the key to happiness, whether Prince Charming shows up or not.
Mind Over Dating Matter (32:33)
Got a case of the “why am I still single” blues? You’re not alone!
Meghan shares a powerful perspective: “When you focus more on what values you’re trying to express in your life… it’s a lot kinder and healthier than being like, ‘Did I get this thing? Did I check this box?'”
Time to sort through those emotional souvenirs and decide what’s worth keeping. Meghan’s got the tools to help you rewrite your single story from tragedy to triumph.
Connect with Meghan:
Pick up “Party of One: Be Your Own Best Partner”
Website: https://meghanvkeane.com/
Instagram: @DameKeane
(44:88) Dear Damona
Email from Anonymous:
I’ve been casual friends with a guy for years, until the other day I hadn’t seen him in about five years, and we’ve exchanged texts maybe once every six months, briefly. I’ve always had a crush on him, but he was married.
He got divorced about two years ago, and I know he’s looking to be in a relationship again. My friend saw his profile on a dating app. I reached out to him and said it had been too long, we should get dinner at, etc. it took a while to set this up, but we finally had dinner two nights ago, and everything I felt about him was reinforced.
He’s kind, sweet, funny. We have so much in common, but I can’t tell if he’s more interested in me than usual or just being himself. He definitely wasn’t overtly flirting.
My feeling after leaving dinner was that he is not interested in me romantically, but I’m a terrible flirt and horrible at reading signals. As we were leaving, I tried to give him an opening by saying we had to do this again soon and not to let so much time pass. And he agreed. But that was it.
Under normal circumstances, I would just assume he wasn’t interested in me and let this go. But I so rarely meet guys I connect with and we’re both in our late 40s, so that makes it even more rare. I don’t want to just give up and walk away if there could be a chance. But I also don’t want to make a fool out of myself or embarrass this really sweet guy. Is there any advice you can give me?
Do you have questions? Damona has the answers!Don’t forget you can submit your dating and relationship questions for our Dear Damona segment on Instagram, X, TikTok, or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail or text to 424-246-6255, and hear Damona’s answers live in a future episode!