Nancy Drew's Essential Rules for Fabulous Single-Gal Living

I recently moved into a new place and am once again enjoying living alone. Honestly, I love living alone so much I may have to keep a place of my own for the rest of my life, even if I get married and have kids some day. I feel a little sad for all the women out there who have never had the experience of being independent and on your own.

That said, it isn't always easy being a fabulous single woman. I've found a few simple rules that help, and I thought I would share them with our faithful readers.

1. Live somewhere you feel comfortable coming, going and sleeping at night. The qualities of such a place will vary for each single gal, but elements may include neighborhood location, building security, location of the apartment within the building, parking, etc.

2. That said, no matter how safe you may feel in your particular neighborhood, always keep your wits about you when you are out alone...especially at night.

3. Get comfortable going places alone. It may be hard at first, but it is perfectly fine to go to parties, concerts, movies, dances, etc. by yourself. It amazes me how many times I've had this conversation.

Person: So, Nancy, what did you do this weekend?
Nancy: I went dancing!
Person: Really, who did you go with?
Nancy: Well, I saw a bunch of friends there, but I didn't go with anyone in particular.
Person: Really?? Wow. That's so great for you to do that.

...As though it were some great feat. It's not brave or strange to go places alone. It's fun! If I didn't go places alone, I would sit at home waaaay too much. Sure, there will be the occasional wedding or party or whatever where it will seem that everyone else is coupled-up and you'll feel a bit left out. But by and large you will have more fun and meet more interesting people if you just go places, date or no date!

4. Most places that we single gals frequent are pretty safe, and when we have our wits about us danger will rarely befall us. That said, if you find yourself someplace you feel a bit uncomfortable, don't be embarrassed to ask some reliable soul to walk you to your car. It's not wimpy, it's smart.

5. Be independent as much as possible. Much like going places alone, doing things for yourself can be empowering. Learn to drive a nail, deal with bugs, carry heavy things (safely), change a tire...you get the idea.

6. That said, be sure to ask for help when you need it! If, for example, you happen to buy something that is too heavy to carry up the four flights of stairs to your apartment by yourself, go ahead and call your hunky guy friend and ask to borrow his muscles. Or if you need to buy a piece of furniture that is too big for your vehicle, ask your brother or gal-pal to help. What goes around comes around - you'll surely have an opportunity to return the favor one day.

7. Embrace eating alone. This is probably the hardest one for me to follow myself. Sometimes it's just depressing to eat alone. But now and then, it is wonderful to cook a delicious meal and enjoy it with a glass of wine just for yourself. Or to make tasty french toast on a random Saturday morning and drench it with syrup, curl up on the couch and devour it alone.

Those are the tips that came to mind as I was walking through my new neighborhood today. What would you add? Or change? Or delete?