Maja, from Montreal, is Proud to Be Single

Q: Best Solo Escape?
Two-week vacation at an all-inclusive adults resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Q: Biggest Accomplishment You Achieved on Your Own?
Raising my now beautiful, smart and funny 20-year-old daughter.

Q: Best place to meet new people?
At parties, in coffee shops, and at cultural and sport events

Q: Most inspiring book, person or movie?
"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz

Q: Funniest, Craziest or Worst Dating Story Ever?
My craziest and hottest dates were when I wore my red dress. There is something to be said about that -- men are like bulls -- show them the color red and they go crazy. I stopped wearing it.

Q: Name a Bar or Restaurant you like to go to by yourself?
Any - but to mention at least one - Thursday's on Crescent Street

Q: Have you ever been a victim of singlism?
Not really, although I have had people express their "sympathy" for my being alone somewhere and questioning how I can do things by myself, like traveling for example.

Q: Words to live by?
Live and let live!

Q: What do you love about being single?
The liberty of doing anything, anytime, anywhere and having no pressure whatsoever.

Q: Any other words of wisdom?
In spite of women's social emancipation and liberation from old doctrines, societies continue to focus on couples. The media, be it through film, print, or advertising, push the image of boy and girl together, regardless of age or race. The message is that of completeness and happiness.

While no one wishes to argue this, it inadvertently conveys that a single person does apparently not attain such completeness and happiness. I actually find myself explaining my being happy as a single woman to my friends and acquaintances who listen with a great deal of suspicion and disbelief.

While I understand and respect their inter-dependence with their partners, having lived several long-and-short-term relationships in the past, they find it difficult to understand that one can find one's place without a partner. There is still much stigmatism towards single men and women out there with the belief that something has to be "wrong" with them and that is why they are single.

I beg to differ vehemently. While in my last relationship of 11 years, I gave all my love and care and trust to my partner and vice versa. As is the case in most relationships, we both adjusted to and learned from the other and adapted our behaviour, decisions, values, and wants and needs to fit that partnership.

Being single, on the other hand, means no such adaptation takes place. You can be wholly and truly yourself without the fear of being judged, criticized, ridiculed, reprimanded, or put down in any way. The only person you are accountable to is you. My advice? Put away your fear and your preconceived notions and prejudices. Take a good look in the mirror and get familiar with your person, inside and out, take care of yourself, pursue what you love to do, hone your friends, stay active through sports and/or cultural events, join groups, stay away from the losers you find on Internet dating sites, but rather go out and meet people in the flesh and smile, smile, smile.