Single for a Good Cause

Q: We love the tag line for your blog “every bad date deserves a good deed.” What made you come up with this concept?
‘Single for Good’ and the concept that “each bad date deserves a good deed” dawned on me after a morning of volunteering on Valentine’s Day 2010 (aka Single Awareness Day). My cousin and I volunteered for the MGR Foundation’s (g)love Program, assembling and distributing cold weather care packages to Chicago-area homeless people.

Following the volunteer event, I decided that if I was going to be single, I might as well be a Single for Good, which I describe as an uninhibited, love-crazed, romantic, humanitarian. I thought about how much I could do for the community if I simply tore myself away from the temporary discontent of the bad date (though my best friends Ben & Jerry are still on speed-dial) and channeled my dating frustrations into performing acts of service for life and Earth. I whole-heartedly believe singles can change the world for the better, one bad date at a time.

Q: How has charity work helped you stay grounded during your dating intermissions?
Volunteering is the Nyquil to my all-the-time, sniffling, whining, heart-aching, bad date illness. It heals me (without the horribly nasty aftertaste). It has made me more aware of the struggles of others around me, in addition to humbling me to a great extent and teaching me to be a more compassionate person. I’m worrying less about finding the next Mr. Right-Now and more about finding ways to give to back to the community.

Q: What’s the best part about living single in the Windy City?
What I love most about being single in Chicago is the opportunity to find out new things about yourself by getting lost in the culture, music festivals, food and art of this WONDERFUL city!

Q: What about the best place to go on a first date?
First dates should be memorable, low-pressure and allow for a natural flow of conversation. I love the idea of doing an interactive and fun activity like a cooking class at Whole Foods Market (the couple that burns soufflé together, belongs together).

Q: What have you learned from writing your blog?
I’ve learned so much about myself and the impact that one single person can make when choosing to put positive action back in to the world. I’ve been blogging about turning bad dates into good deeds for a little over six months now and in that time I’ve volunteered for eight different organizations, dedicated 42 hours of service and have done everything from cooking breakfast and playing bingo with local senior citizens to packing food donations at a community food bank. I’ve been privileged to meet some incredible people and have learned about smaller organizations that are making a huge impact. I’ve also formed Team Single for Good, through which I encourage group volunteerism and spread my message of “turning bad dates into good deeds.”

Q: Why do you think so many women fail to trust their instincts when it comes to men?
We want to believe. We want unicorns, love, handsome princes and happily ever-afters. And at times, we are willing to ignore instincts and make excuses for his undesirable behaviors if they will allow us to be able to say that we are in a relationship.

Q: Name three things every person should do while they are single?
1.       Write yourself a love letter; then write a letter of encouragement to underprivileged children going back-to-school this year. (Volunteers of America)

2.       Take a road trip with some of your closest single gal pals; then assist in home delivery of meals to senior citizens. (Meals on Wheels)

3.       Gift yourself with an amazing little black dress or a pair of heels; then donate gently used clothing to women striving to gain economic independence. (Bottomless Closet Inc)

Q: Which local bloggers are you inspired by?
Two Chicago bloggers who I follow and have had the pleasure of meeting in person are TheFabGiver and AllTheSingleLadies . TheFabGiver offers a brilliant merging of fabulousness and philanthropy resulting in fun and stylish ways to give back. AllTheSingleLadies is very candid in her delivery of personal dating encounters. I admire her willingness to reveal her personal experience in relationships.

Q: Any other words of wisdom?
I’m not an all-powerful relationship-philanthropist-sorcerer, waving a magic wand and pulling white rabbits out of black top-hats with a cape blowing in the breeze (though being able to saw a bad date in half is a brilliant trick). I’m simply encouraging singles to look outside of themselves to the bigger picture. The concept of turning bad dates into good deeds is something that we all can do. By channeling negative dating experiences and directing that energy towards causes such as the environment, poverty, women’s issues, etc…we can truly change the world, one bad date at a time.

Blog: www.singleforgood.blogspot.com
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Twitter: @Single_for_Good
Facebook: Single for Good