The Difference Between Single Life on TV and IRL

We thought the media had prepared us for single life. We were wrong. All those lessons we learned from watching countless episodes of Sex and the City and every rom-com known to man, don’t always seem to hold up IRL. Not that we regret a minute of it, but still, single life sure ain’t the same as it is in the movies.  Maybe you can relate. Here’s a comparison chart from one of our readers:

Single Life In the Media: While eating in posh restaurants, I decide that now is the time for me to pursue my dream career as an interior designer.

In Actuality: While eating microwaveable meals and single serve ice creams for the weight-conscious, I decide on a career imprinting the lids with messaging like “Desperate? Call the Samaritans.”

In the Media: I pour myself into my work, where my unbelievably handsome and improbably young boss and I start an affair.

In Actuality: I pour myself into work, where my boss tells me Match.com is free for the first few months.


In the Media
: More drinking.

In Actuality: Way more drinking.


In the Media
: I appear to be fine, and face the challenges of every day with composure and strength. When I finally break down, it is among close and supportive friends.

In Actuality: I appear to be fine to close and supportive friends. When I finally break down, it is with a Comcast representative.


In the Media
: When he moves out, I am angry he took all the fine jewelry he once gave me.

In Actuality: When he moves out, I am angry he took canned soup from the pantry and a carton of lemonade from the fridge. Because WHO DOES THAT?

In the Media: More roller-skating.

In Actuality: Same amount of roller-skating.

In the Media: When he leaves, I celebrate my personal and financial independence and move out of our old place into a sleek and swanky new apartment. (With city views!)

In Actuality: When he leaves (me holding the bag for everything), I realize my financial dependence and that I’ll probably need to move into my parents’ garage.


In the Media
: Surrounded by friends and family, I realize that I have more than enough love in my life. I move on. At first because I have to, and then because I want to.

In Actuality: That, actually, really happened.

When Elizabeth Giuggio learned the Rockettes have a height requirement, she turned inward to writing and the cerebral life. She spent her childhood penning plays, musicals and anything-but-short stories and forcing people to listen. Now she does the same at a Boston ad agency.

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