I write a once-a-month mental health article. Here is the February 2026
edition😊
It’s still freezing in Thornaby so the cats are snuggled up on
their heated sofa. Thankfully, they’re generous kitties and they
let us share 🐾
And speaking of sharing, February is the month of love so it’s
natural that reflecting on relationships stirs up all kinds of
feelings, whether we’re partnered or happily single.
Either way, being single is becoming far more common.
We’re seeing lots of social changes. Many people no longer follow
the traditional path of dating, marriage, and kids.
The reasons driving this change are complex.
For those in their 20s, teenage years filled with social media and
cyber bullying increased social anxiety. The pandemic lockdowns
deprived many of a college too. You can’t socialize when classes
are online.
For 30s and over, separations and divorce are traumatizing. When
your heart’s been broken, the idea of dating again hits hard
especially because you know there are no guarantees in life.
There are other factors at play too, but the numbers tell a clear
story.
Euromonitor
Nov 2025 reported that single-person households are the
fastest-growing household type, with an expected increase to 26%
of all households globally by 2040.
In the UK, 13%
of people live alone now. In China, the Sileme app (“Are You
Dead?”) which emails your chosen emergency contact if you miss two
daily check-ins is one of the top-paid apps.
Whether you live alone by choice or circumstance, you’re part of a rising trend. And because pensions, housing and healthcare systems still assume a family unit, a little extra forward-thinking goes a long way.
To be safe, I believe that no matter what your relationship status, a thoughtful assessment of where you are and what your goals are is always useful.
This February, why not take a moment to reflect: Where are you now, and where would you like to be at 65? A quick look ahead helps you make choices that feel right for you.
If reflecting on this brings up questions or you’d like a confidential space to talk it through, WhatsApp or email and we can set up a chat.
PS, if you want a free article once a month, email me ellen.whyte@gmail.com. I curate the list personally, so your email stays secret.
