You know the routine. The family gathers for a holiday dinner and everybody gives an update on their lives. Inevitably, your turn comes up, and you talk about your latest adventures. Everybody pretends to listen attentively, but what they’re all dying to know about is if there’s, finally, a special somebody in your life. Or are you still single??

If you’re dreading the holidays for the above reason, you’re not alone. Singles across America, and especially the perpetually single, are faced with the task of explaining why they’re still single every year when the family gathers. But the explanation is not only why you’re single but that you’re really okay being single.

In order to make family gatherings a bit less stressful for you this year, we have gathered up perfect responses for when you’re asked why you’re still single. In fact, feel free to forward this to your nosey Auntie or your blabbering cousin ahead of the holiday dinners so you can avoid the questioning once and for all.

1. I’m single because I’m happier single.

As reported by The American Psychological Association, single people lead happier lives! They are also likely to have “richer social lives and more psychological growth than married people.” If you’re a woman, there’s been even more recent research suggesting that women are happier being single than men. The data showed that 61% of single women are happy with their status and 75% of them have not actively looked for a relationship in the past year.

So, if your family thinks you’re crying yourself to sleep everynight over your singledom, show them the data.

2. I’m single and I’m not the only one.

According to statistics, you are more likely to be surrounded by more singles than married people this holiday season. That is because as of few years ago, singles have officially outnumbered married people in the U.S. According to the numbers, “About 50.2 percent- or 124.6 million American adults- are single. In 1950, that number was about 22 percent.”

This means, you can pull backup by calling out the other singles at the dinner table. Point out that single is the new married.

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3. I’m single ‘cuz I’m hustling.

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re even more likely to be scrutinized over your unusual lifestyle. You work countless and odd hours, you might not show up to all family events, and you take risks with your money that others might deem unrealistic. The lack of a love life might be yet another thing to add to the list.

But as the number of black entrepreneurs keeps rising, it is easy to understand why you might be showing up solo at Thanksgiving dinner. Just let the family know your hustle is priority #1 right now. The rest will follow.

4. I’m single and I can eat wherever I want.

You have seen OR have been the half of a couple that constantly argues about where to eat. It starts innocently enough with the question, “Where do you want to eat?” It is then followed by 30 mins of debate about what each of you is craving and how both of you are ok with wherever, just decide please!

There have been attempts at solving this issue before. How about solving it by being single and eating wherever the heck you want?!

5. I’m single because it’s better for my health.

How is being single great for your health? According to research, you sleep better when you sleep alone and exercise more when you’re single. Sleeping alone, actually, has even become a trend among married people. And as for working out more often, that is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. What better reasons do you need to celebrate being single?

This holiday season, don’t just give your usual short response about how you’re looking but have been busy. If you’re happy to be single, say it proudly and offer these reasons for further proof that being single should no longer be a conversation that makes somebody feel not as “accomplished” as everybody else at the dinner table.