Yet their internal experiences can be completely different.
One may feel peaceful and fulfilled, having deliberately chosen a lifestyle that suits her values.
The other may deeply want a relationship but feel discouraged by past disappointments or uncertain about how to meet compatible people.
Neither experience should be judged simply by relationship status.
Choosing to be single can be an active decision. It may reflect a preference for independence, a focus on other priorities, or a genuine lack of interest in romantic relationships.
Giving up on love, by contrast, may sometimes reflect fear, grief, exhaustion, or the belief that one is unworthy of affection.
The distinction is not always clear, and a person can experience both feelings
at different times.
A woman may enjoy being single while occasionally wishing she had a partner. She may decide to stop dating for a while and later become interested in meeting someone again.
