Words That Are Not Synonyms
Committed, monogamous, and exclusive are three words used to describe a relationship that have nothing to do with each other. They have three different meanings. Three people can be in a committed, exclusive relationship without being monogamous. Likewise, a relationship can be monogamous and exclusive without being committed. I was in a few monogamous, exclusive relationship that were not committed. I decided that those were not for me.
Single and available are two words that people seem to confuse a lot as well. When I was in those monogamous, exclusive relationships I mentioned earlier, I was neither single nor available. However, after I had my heart broken for the first time, I was single, but didn’t want to make myself available to the dating market right away. I remember adopting the royal “we” to describe myself in certain circumstances to avoid telling people that I was single because if I told them that I was single, they would automatically assume that I was available and I didn’t want to explain myself to everybody. Now, I am available to those who recognize and respect that I am not single and will not become single for their sake.
Moving on, getting over someone, and letting someone go are also three very distinct terms. It is not necessary to do all three to lead a happy life after a breakup. However, you must figure out the difference in meaning between these words on your own and decide which ones are right for you.
