While some singles lamented this past Valentine’s Day as Hallmark’s way of pointing out their disappointing love lives, others didn’t vow to dress in black or eat their weight in chocolate because being single is a choice, not a curse. But, when you can barely turn on the TV without seeing a reality show about a bachelorette finding her Prince Charming, that can be hard to believe. Yet, there are some people who enjoy being unattached and make a conscious effort to stay that way.

There are several perks to going stag. A desire to maintain my independence is one reason I’ve had over the years.

To me, a Facebook-official, attached-at-the-hip relationship conjures images of straightjackets. The idea of not only having to call or see someone every night, but of having to want to call or see someone every night, seems ridiculous.

The guilt I used to feel when I would miss a call or choose to spend a night with girl friends instead of my supposedly-significant other was more annoying than heart-wrenching. And I could certainly do without the quasi-interrogation that sometimes succeeded those nights.

Another less common, but still valid, motivation for maintaining solo status is school and work.

People with this set of priorities may sound like a bunch of uptight, party poopers who would rather spend a Friday night in the library than out painting the town red. Or, they could want to have every opportunity to let loose in their free time without the added stress of having to incorporate a plus-one.

Other people, like first-year Claire McCarty, would rather sample from a buffet than order an entrée. To some people, college should be more about playing the field and experimenting, not finding The One or getting your MRS or MR degree.

“I would have killed for a boyfriend in high school,” said McCarty. “But now, I just want to have fun.”

McCarty is not alone in that mindset. The evidence is there whenever you see people at a party swapping spit in a way that makes it seem they are as concerned with romance as with each other’s middle names.

Not all of those people have emotional or self-esteem problems. Sometimes people just enjoy flirting. And making out. And hooking up.

This may come as a shock to the people who view Valentine’s Day or their Facebook relationship status as a measurement of their self-worth, but not everybody needs a hand to hold in order to keep walking forward.