If you love stories of happily-ever-after, you aren’t alone. Many of us dream of finding the perfect person to spend the rest of our lives with. In fact, many of us fantasize about Mr. or Ms. Right for so long, that we begin to get a bit desperate. If you’ve reached a certain age and hear the clock ticking, you may be considering lowering your standards just so that you can finally take that walk down the aisle. Before you say yes to Mr. Okay, keep reading; we’ve compiled a list of great reasons to never say “I do.” Here are six of them:

1. 40 is the New 20

There are some cultures in this world where you’re over the hill at age 15, but America certainly isn’t one of them. In fact, if you ask those in the know (or those in their late 30′s), 40 is the new 20. Both men and women are still partying well into their 30’s and even into their 40’s. By waiting to get married, you can be sure that you’re living your life to its fullest for as long as you can.

2. You’ll Never Have to Share

Right now, your stuff is your stuff. My divorce lawyer would remind you that this is not the case post-divorce, when “your” stuff can become “their” stuff. If you want to keep your collection of Star Wars action figures, don’t get married.

3. No One Cares what Your Crazy Great Aunt Thinks

All of us that are of a certain age have sat around the Thanksgiving table, rolling our eyes at crazy Aunt Sally. “When are you going to settle down?” “Why aren’t you married yet?” If we’re being honest, does anyone really care what your crazy aunt thinks? Since you know the questions are coming, why not have fun with it? Come up with a few creative answers before you get to the dinner table, and you’re sure to have everyone in stitches.

4. You’ll still be Lonely

If you’re tired of Friday nights in front of the television with only a pizza and a beer to keep you company, don’t think that marriage will change anything. Married people will tell you that they still have the same feelings of loneliness as they did when they were single. In fact, some married people are lonelier than they were when they were single. When you get married, you expect someone to be there all of the time and, if they aren’t, your feelings of loneliness can be amplified.

5. You can have as Many Cats as You Like

Did you know that people actually get divorced because of their pets? While you may envision a house filled with a dozen dogs, your spouse may have a very different idea of animal companionship. If you want to play Dr. Doolittle or turn into the crazy cat lady, stay single.

6. You Can Raise that Baby Alone

We aren’t living in the 1950s any longer, and there is no rule that says you have to get married if you get pregnant. While that drunken, one-night stand may have altered the next 18 years of your life, it certainly doesn’t have to ruin the next 50 years.

Being single is definitely all that it is cracked up to be. Avoid the pitfalls of answering to others and stay in control of your own actions, you’ll be happier in the long run!

Molly Henshaw is a single freelance author living in the metro DC area, and a contributing writer for the Orlando divorce lawyer team at Katz & Phillips. They know how to get your case resolved with the least amount of stress and in the shortest possible time frame. Even though divorce cases that seem very simple on the surface, have important facets that must be resolved in order to provide you with a fair settlement.