by Harley Miller & Danielle Wright
Is there a downside to being single for too long?
As of 2021, 52% of women in the U.S. are unmarried or separated, which is a record high. Applications such as TikTok and Instagram Reels are awakening women to the possibility that relationships and marriage are not the dream we were sold as girls growing up. Now, more than ever, women are taking to social media to share their grievances regarding relationships and the trauma they endure within them. Invisible labor is one of the newer challenges that women are facing.
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This involves remembering every little thing about their families—dentist appointments, teachers' names, caretakers' names, family deadlines, etc. While this may seem innocent enough, women simply are not finding the time to decompress. Men who work and are the sole providers in their households are interested in returning home to a peaceful environment, free from noise and household responsibilities.
However, many wives and mothers are not able to oblige their partners in this manner because, while he is away at his job, she is at home. Both adults feel exasperated in their own way but must still come together to solve common problems within their household as they pertain to each other and their children. In addition to this, many single women are learning in real time that the vast majority of married men do cheat on their partners, with some going as far as creating families outside their marital homes.
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Movements like the 4B movement and, more recently, the Vegan Movement have begun gaining traction among single women worldwide—not because women are disinterested in relationships, but more so because they are not seeing the benefit of being a wife and mother beyond 2024. The Vegan Movement is a trademarked collaboration between LUEQ and She’s SINGLE Magazine, comprised of:
The Vegan Journal – Empower your healing journey with The Vegan No Contact Journal—a 60-page guide to reclaiming your strength. Filled with uplifting quotes and space for journaling, this tool helps you navigate 90 days of no contact with intention and purpose.
Track emotional triggers in the Trigger & Urge Log, where you can document moments of temptation and learn strategies to resist breaking no contact. With daily and weekly entries, including a Mood Tracker, Feelings Check-In, and space to reflect on What You’ve Learned Today, this journal fosters growth and self-love. End each day with the Gratitude Section, a reminder of your inner strength and everything worth celebrating.
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The Vegan Tank Top – An effortless staple designed to keep you cool and comfortable while you work on your fitness goals. Perfect for pairing with leggings, jeans, or your favorite athleisure look, this tank top is versatile enough for the gym, a yoga session, or a quick meal with friends.
The Vegan Tumbler – Your perfect gym companion for staying hydrated while you’re getting back in shape. This sleek, pink tumbler is not just functional but stylish enough to take with you from workouts to errands.
Each of these items, whether bought together or separately, showcases the strength and wisdom that women have as a collective, empowering them to be proud of standing alone and facing everyday challenges without a mate. This movement is for women who want a partner but do not wish to settle for less than what they deserve. As mentioned on the tank top, similar to a racist Karen, the Peters of the world are nonchalant, emotionally unavailable, abusive (mentally, physically, and emotionally), lazy, non-traditional, sassy, and overall men that women should stay away from.
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This also includes men with podcasts who spend their precious days and time bashing women they will never have the chance of dating in this lifetime. Much like the 4B movement, the Vegan Movement is not to encourage women to spend the rest of their lives alone but is a way of challenging women to stop accepting less and show men—rather than complain and nag—that we, as women, have the power to pull back, stand together, and demand better for ourselves and our children.
Movements such as these can come with their own challenges for women:
LONELINESS LEADING TO LOW SELF-ESTEEM –
Single women are facing a common issue when it comes to the loneliness epidemic—we want partners, but we want to be treated like the women in the Rom-Coms we grew up watching. The Sam Coulson's from Never Been Kissed. The Ike Graham's from Runaway Bride. The William Thacker's from Notting Hill. The Jack Taylor's from One Fine Day. The Patrick Verona's from 10 Things I Hate About You and, lastly, the Jake Ryan's from Sixteen Candles.