I’m 32 years old, single, and honestly, my life is pretty quiet.
That was the way I usually described it when people asked.
Quiet sounded better than lonely.
Quiet sounded like a choice, like I had built a peaceful life on purpose and not simply ended up in one after years of small disappointments, missed chances, and friendships that faded into polite birthday texts.
My name is Maria, and most evenings, I take long walks around town just to clear my head.
I started doing it after my last relationship ended. At first, I only walked around the block because staying inside my apartment felt impossible.