Happy & Healthy

STRUGGLES OF A SINGLE

January is the month when we all crawl under the covers with a Netflix marathon and piles of books. And that's why it's also the month I nominate as the most terrible month of the year. Because it's NOT fun being single. I survive December just fine, as a huge family bear. But those January blues, I've got them pretty bad. Last weekend, I decided, just like the rest of the Netherlands, to lock myself up with a good portion of reading material, an overdose of caffeine (because: dry January) AND a way too big piece of homemade not so healthy carrot cake (because: sad). Yes, and then it comes, huh. My view of the Amstel may be beautiful, my work may be fantastic, and yes, my body almost bikini ready; being alone is not okay. I've got it bad, the single struggles. And it sucks.

1. Cooking and thus eating

I am a huge kitchen princess, you know that by now. I love spending hours in the kitchen. But to start making fresh pasta for myself or to let a huge pot of stew with red wine and plums simmer? No, I don't do that. When I cook for myself, I don't get much further than a shitload of vegetables, a piece of fish or meat, or a well-filled salad. As a result, my huge collection of cookbooks has been untouched for months. So Mr. Perfect, isn't it time you check in? Before you know it, I've lost my cooking skills and nobody will be happy about that.

2. Sharing important moments

New Year's Eve, I don't care for it. And yet I must honestly admit that I would love to spend that moment at midnight (why is this always a thing) tongue-tied. There you are, Remi-alone, with a glass of champagne (Louis Roederer, that at least) and your sparkler.

3. When you want to get away for a bit

I currently have a significant deficiency of Vitamin D. And since you only get those vitamins by soaking up the sun, I need to go on vacation. Toes in the sand, cocktail in hand, man next to me… Oh no, not at all. That man, that's where it goes wrong. Of course, you don't need a guy to go on vacation, but let's be honest: it's a lot more fun. You don't want to keep activating your girlfriend group chat to ask who wants to accompany you. Loser. And that vacation with mom was really nice, but to do that every three months, I don't know about that… Sunset on the beach with a handsome man (with a beard, duh) next to you, that's what you need to survive the January blues.

4. Romance

You know. Those lovey-dovey couples in Vondelpark or the head-over-heels in love strollers at Albert Cuyp. At such moments, I am overwhelmed by a huge wave of jealousy. Because of course, I don't want to stand at the fishmonger for one piece of salmon, and I also want to have deep conversations while walking. Yes, I want to stroll arm in arm through that annoyingly busy market full of rolling suitcases and strollers in search of delicacies. French cheeses, warm breads, and good bottles of wine. Fresh fish and all the colors of vegetables from the rainbow. To then spend hours in the kitchen because we have friends over. With a crackling fire in the background. That's what I want.

5. When you're sick

I sniffle the whole winter holding it together and my desk is sponsored by Kleenex. But really giving in to the flu and not getting out of bed? Then something must be seriously wrong with my body. Well, exactly that happened on Boxing Day. I let a bladder infection get so bad that it turned into a kidney infection. And to be honest: when you're lying in bed writhing in pain, you want nothing more than to be taken care of. By your love. Not by your mom (sorry, mom).

6. Outlet (screaming)

Now you understand that the gym is in trouble when I need to blow off some steam. Nothing feels better than a good session pounding on a punching bag. No, I'm not a hothead, and I prefer to avoid arguments. Peace on earth and be kind to each other. But still, sometimes it's really nice to scream at someone. And well, actually also because that then leads to make-up sex. Did I say that out loud?

To be honest: sometimes you just want someone to hold you tightly. And for them to whisper in your ear that everything will be okay and that January will pass. Well, that happened last Sunday afternoon.