Things You Argue About As A Single Person (Yes, With Yourself)

Being single comes with freedom, flexibility, and some truly ridiculous inner debates.

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When no one else is around to consult, the arguments don’t stop—they just go internal. And while you might not always admit it out loud, if you’ve ever found yourself passionately debating both sides of something in your own kitchen, you’re definitely not alone. These are just some of the things single people end up arguing about with themselves more often than they’d like to admit.

1. “Do I actually need to cook, or can I eat cereal again?”

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Half of you is saying, “Come on, cook something proper,” while the other half is already reaching for the spoon. You bought groceries with the best intentions, but somehow cereal feels like the more achievable dinner plan — again. It’s not laziness, it’s energy budgeting. And sometimes, arguing yourself into boiling pasta feels like winning. Other times? It’s Weetabix for the fourth night in a row and zero regrets.

2. “Should I go out or just stay in… again?”

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You want to be social. You also want to be horizontal. The back-and-forth can last hours — texting people, deleting texts, putting on an outfit, then taking it off again. You’re both the planner and the party pooper, and it’s exhausting. Sometimes you drag yourself out and have a great time. Other times, you cancel everything and feel glorious. The mental tennis match, though? That’s become a whole personality trait.

3. “Do I need to shave? Like, really?”

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No one’s going to see, but… what if someone does? You don’t have to — but then again, maybe it’ll make you feel a bit more put-together. And just like that, you’re ten minutes deep into a debate with the shower running. It’s not really about the hair. It’s about that weird inner tug-of-war between comfort and self-care when there’s no external pressure to choose either. Single-person grooming logic is a whole different game.

4. “Why am I crying — am I lonely or just tired?”

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The tears hit out of nowhere, and suddenly you’re diagnosing yourself like a moody therapist. Is this existential sadness, or did you just forget to drink water? You go from dramatic spirals to telling yourself to have a nap in under five minutes. It’s a confusing emotional loop, and without someone to reflect off, it’s easy to overthink. The reality is, you’re probably just overwhelmed — and maybe need food and a hug. From yourself. Again.

5. “Should I clean or just light a candle and pretend it’s tidy?”

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You look around and feel the chaos, but you also know the candle trick gives the illusion of order. The responsible part of you wants to scrub. The tired part wants to dim the lights and vibe. This debate often ends with one drawer half-organised, a candle burning, and you sitting on the sofa pretending it’s fine. And honestly? Sometimes that’s good enough.

6. “Do I really need that on the grocery list, or will I just waste it again?”

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You write down spinach like it’s a fresh start. Then you argue with yourself in the produce aisle, knowing it’ll wilt before you even open the bag. But what if this is the week you become That Person who eats greens? That cycle of optimism and realism plays out every week, and the compost bin often wins. But still, you keep trying — because one day, the spinach will be eaten. Probably.

7. “Am I being dramatic, or is this actually a big deal?”

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You read a text, re-read it, and start pacing. You draft responses in your head, argue your side, and play devil’s advocate… all without anyone else in the room. By the end, you’ve convinced yourself both that you’re fine and that you’re completely justified in spiralling. This is the emotional solo courtroom of single life. You’re the plaintiff, the defence, and the entire jury — and no one ever truly wins.

8. “Should I text my ex or am I just bored?”

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The fingers hover, the urge rises, and then your brain splits in two. One side says “closure,” the other says “chaos.” It’s a battle of impulse versus self-respect, and it happens more often than you’d like to admit. Usually, you close the app and congratulate yourself for dodging regret. But every so often, curiosity wins — and that’s when you remember exactly why you deleted the thread in the first place.

9. “Do I want to be alone, or do I just not want to compromise?”

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This one hits deeper. You start wondering if you’re single by choice or by resistance to change. You tell yourself it’s peace, not loneliness — but then again, are you being too picky or just protecting your space? The internal debate goes in circles, especially late at night. There’s no clear answer — just a lot of reflection and the occasional realisation that being single can be both freeing and confronting at the same time.

10. “Am I doing okay… or am I just getting really good at pretending I am?”

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You keep things running, stay independent, and seem fine from the outside, but sometimes you wonder if it’s all a bit of a performance. You talk yourself into gratitude, into strength, into resilience. But there’s still a small part wondering if it’s all just holding together with threads.

It’s not weakness to question how you’re doing. It’s human. And even if you’re arguing with yourself about it in a quiet kitchen late at night, it means you care. You’re paying attention — and that’s more than enough.