I'm single, and I don't need help or instructions for living my life.

I'm single, and I don't need help or instructions for living my life.
Why must everyone be in everyone else's business? Seriously. I don't know very many people who keep their opinions to themselves, and it's really been driving me crazy lately.

I am recently single. I am 27, which means I've been an adult for about 10 years. I've gotten this far in my life, so what makes other people think that I don't know what I"m doing and I must get instructions from them right away or my life will fail miserably?

I've gotten advice from a single lady who I will not name. She was married twice, and is now divorced and has been single (unmarried) for roughly 20 years. She feels she must give me advice on how to be single almost every day. She tells me what I want a guy to have (seeing as her past relationships have really worked out great for her), what I don't want a guy to have, how I must treat this guy once we meet, and how I must treat my friends now. (She also gives me advice on how to get rid of my 'nervousness' and weight 'problem' daily - and I'm sure she thinks its better advice than what my doctor gives me!) And it is all uninvited. I do not initiate any of these conversations. I have to end them nicely, as I work with this woman, but seriously. Sometimes I wish I could just say, "Look. I know you mean well, but please, keep your opinions to yourself and shut up."

And other people, once they find out that I am single, feel the need to give me their two cents on how to find a guy, what I need to do to attract one - it's as though it's some sort of game for them, like they're placing bets on when I'm going to pair up with someone. Well, if bets are being placed, $50 to the first person who STOPS betting on my life.

I am perfectly happy just sitting here on my porch, being myself, doing what I enjoy, being with my cats and listening to my music. I'm perfectly content going out by myself on weekends to places I enjoy, wearing what makes me feel good, and doing what makes me happy. I got this far, I'm sure I'll make it on my own. And when the time is right, when I am ready, and when I'm in the midst of just being me, I'll meet the right person, if I haven't already. And I'll accept him just the same as he accepts me.