Today kicks off the First-Ever Blog-In, and we’ve got author and blogger Gwen Jimmere here today. You can find me on her blog today, also! Check out theduckwalk.com for my post on how Opposites Attract.

Gwen is a freelance writer, as well as an award-winning filmmaker and editor who, after years of majoring in Poor Personal Relationship Choices at the world-renowned School of Hard Knocks, decided it was high time to put all those years of hands-on training to good use. Through her upcoming debut book release, If It Walks Like a Duck…and Other Truths My Mother Taught Me, and her blog, TheDuckWalk.com, she provides realistic girlfriend-to-girlfriend advice on personal accountability and intimate relationships. In her spare time (what is that?) she can be found playing with her three awesome nephews, sneaking a 1/2 pint of Chunky Monkey past her trainer, and of course, praying for world peace.

Take it away, Gwen!

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Why Are You Still Single??

I always wonder why people ask it like it’s a bad thing.

You’re pretty, you’re smart, you’re funny, you’re established… So why are you single?

My answer usually consists of two points:

1. I’m picky.
2. I genuinely want to be single.

No, I’m not fooling myself. And no, this isn’t some self-absorbed, I-will-survive ploy to make myself feel better about not having a man. The thing is: I’ve always been in a relationship… which explains why I know so much about them (not sure if that’s a good thing…but I digress. LOL). I was the girl that always had a boyfriend. The longest I’d been single was maybe six months, and that’s probably stretching it. It wasn’t because I was out searching for coupledom. It just somehow worked out that way. And I was fine with that.

But as of late, I’ve purposefully shied away from being the butter to somebody’s cup. The opportunity has arisen a few times, but this go-round, I’ve decided to pump the brakes and revel in my singleness. It truly is good for the soul to just be into “you” from time to time. Figure out your own wants, needs, goals, desires, late-night cravings. Sure, I’ve met some guys who seem to measure up to my requirements but, honestly I really just want to be with Gwen at this time in my life.

So what’s wrong with that?

Apparently, I’m “too picky”. Interestingly enough, those who claim I am too picky seem to be the ones enlisting my advice on their crappy relationships every few days. Hmmm…

Sounds to me as if they aren’t picky enough.

I believe there’s an art to being picky. I mean…why settle for something or someone less than ideal? I’m aware that no one is 100% to our personal specifications, but we can get close, right? Settling for a vegan when I’m a meat-eater is a lot different than settling for a chauvinist who believes women shouldn’t work or be allowed to vote and attempting to change him (yes, I met someone like this just last year. Shocking, I know…but sadly true.)

I don’t believe in being unhappy and I’d rather be single than to be in a crappy relationship just for the sake of not having to (*gasp!*) be single.

The life I’m living right now is the one I love, thank you very much. I don’t know when I’ll want to be someone’s other half again. Of course, it will happen eventually, but just because a great guy comes around doesn’t mean I have to jump on the train and go for the ride if I’m not ready, does it?

You can read more from Gwen at her blog:  TheDuckwalk.com