Ask Debbie Lundberg: Savy, Single and Sick of Questions

Hello Debbie!

In February, many of my work, and personal, interactions had people asking me about my relationship and sometimes the inquiries were difficult to address. 

As an introvert who enjoys down time, and someone who happens to be single right now, these two questions are challenging, and I’d like mindset coaching and responses that keep my successful professional career/brand intact, too:

-Anything exciting planned for the weekend/Valentine’s Day?

-How is it that you are still single?

-Don’t you want to be happy – give “NAME” a chance!

Thank you,

Savvy, single and sick of these questions

Hello there, Savvy, single and sick of these questions!

You are not alone in being alone and you are not the only person, single or otherwise, who does not like this intrusive/presumptuous type of questioning. Thanks for sharing.

From a mindset perspective, get a mantra for yourself such as “I am doing and being my best, and my best serves me well” or “I am me, and others are them, and while we interact, they do not impact my self-confidence.” Using that type of mantra throughout the day will feed thoughts to yourself for a strong foundation, as you engage in conversations and situations. When we feel centered, we can handle people coming at us for what they are – imperfect humans, just as we are.

Remember that you owe people nothing. Still, if you want to have open dialogue with the people asking these terribly worded questions, or statements, here are some replies to consider. 

Anything exciting planned for the weekend: “Something exciting for me is to spend time with my family and that is what I am looking forward to doing. How about you?” or “Since the weekend is a time for me to recharge, spending time organizing my home is going to be very productive and enjoyable. Hope you have something on the agenda you will enjoy, too!”

How is it that you are still single? “While it can seem like being single is the equivalent of being unhappy, please know I appreciate you mean that as a compliment and yet, I am not unhappy in this season of my life,” or “How I stay single is by staying open to people and opportunities and, when those individuals and experience arise, I absolutely engage. What is something you enjoy about how you and your partner met?”

Don’t you want to be happy – give “NAME” a chance! “Thanks for thinking of “NAME” and me when you think of connecting people. Since happiness is a state of mind and action, I am going to pass for now and will let you know if something changes. Meanwhile, best wishes to “NAME!” 

People innately want to engage and likely don’t mean to mettle, yet you, and others, know those questions can be baiting in how they are positioned. By not taking the bait, you can be single, savvy and still not stubbornly arguing with people. 

Kindly, Debbie –

Debbie Lundberg, Performance & Mindset Coach “Embracing & encouraging life-long
kindness, growth, fun & ROI.”
Contact her at 813.494.4438 or [email protected]

You May Also Like
The unsung ripple effect of back-to-back hurricane disasters in the SBA world

By Brooke Mirenda, CEO of SEDCO  As a Small Business Administration lender, I received notice on Oct. 15, at 5:30 p.m., that the SBA has already exhausted its disaster funding

Read More
Brooke-mirenda
Mental health in the wake of Tampa Bay’s double hurricane hit 

By Carrie Zeisse, chief executive officer of Tampa Bay Thrives Tampa Bay residents are no strangers to hurricane season, despite the area being spared a significant, direct, hit for over

Read More
Sales Leaders: Stop working so hard

If you’re a sales director, or manager, you already know you have one of the most difficult and demanding jobs in business today.  Motivating and holding your people accountable, training

Read More
Jim Marshall
Adapting to Uncertainty: How to Thrive Despite a Crumbling Economy

Last week, an entrepreneur I know well was speaking at a private mastermind group I’m a part of and as he was talking about how tough things have been for

Read More
Ari Page: How to Thrive Despite a Crumbling Economy
Other Posts
How to receive feedback

Dear Debbie: A few months ago, you shared how to be a sponsor and speak up. I love it and, yet, sometimes when I get feedback, I get embarrassed and

Read More
The summer burnout

Summer is hot and so is burnout. By this time of the year, the heat, and the mood, in the office, and outside, feels like it would melt gold which,

Read More
Initiating buyer focused conversations

If you’re in sales and new business development, you know that your job consists of three primary functions: selling (including presenting your solution to a prospective customer or client, then

Read More
Jim Marshall
How to beat the ‘Summer Slowdown’

So, here we are in August – what some people refer to as the “dog days of summer.” Temperatures and humidity are through the roof, many of your clients, customers

Read More
Jim Marshall