Anyone have any advice for overcoming internalized amatonormativity? That’s the ingrained cultural belief that couples are the Correct Way to Exist.

I do genuinely love my life and wouldn’t give any of it up for anything, BUT when society constantly informs me that single women are pathetic loser cat ladies, it’s hard not to feel ashamed. When everyone successful I know is in a relationship, and the only other single people I know live lives I don’t want to emulate*, what am I supposed to do? I want single friends, but everyone I’ve ever met views being single as a temporary status and even my currently single friends can “level up” and find a relationship at any time.

I’ve never had a long term relationship, and I’ve never so much as had a crush on another person, so being single is my only option in life. And I feel extremely ashamed for failing to meet normal adulthood standards.

If anyone has any advice I’d love to hear it! Yes I know that comparison is the thief of joy. But when literally ALL OF SOCIETY is about dating and relationships, I can’t exactly opt out of not caring. I’m just so tired of being lesser for the rest of my life, for reasons beyond my control.

*as in, I don’t want their lifestyle or choices. Not that there’s anything bad or wrong about the single people I know, I just want different things out of life.