I'm with Japie, I've been single for almost five years, the last person I dated ended up stalking me for two years after I ended the relationship after three months of dating as we had nothing in common and I could see no future to it as we would have been like two donkeys pulling a cart in different directions, he didn't want to take no for an answer, this put me off getting involved with another man as you never know what you are getting in to and by the time you are involved and realise mostly they already know too much about you and your life, as you've been friendly and lowered your guard and they can really cause problems. The time I spent married, in hind sight, were the worst most miserable years of my life and put me off ever getting married ever again (my saying, 'cover me with oil and set me alight first

'), with these experiences I doubt I will ever date or enter a relationship again. Being single I am safe, have the freedom to do what I want, make my own mistakes and do not have to comply to someone elses wants or plans, I don't get bullied, belittled, put down, mentally, physically or emotionally abused, lied to, cheated on or bossed around.
I have pets and friends for company, am building a great career having recently changed career paths to do what I want (for a change) am involved in clubs and sports and love my life. The few times I think it may be nice to have some company, a friend is only a phone call away for a chat or an outing, I think the idea of 'friends with benefits' that was popular for awhile is mostly just a way for a stupid woman to lower and humiliate herself and give a guy sex for free, I won't invlove myself in stuff like that, I see a lot of stressed, unhappy people in relationships all around me, I love my life and doubt I will change as I don't think that I will ever have the faith, trust or confidence to ever bother trying to involve myself with someone again, the amount of 'ugh' you have to go through just to be in a relationship I don't think is worth it, you have to give up and put up with and compromise too much. The freedom of being single has a lot going for it to outweigh miniscule moments of loneliness.