Being single chronically or in the long-term can be quite frustrating. But you may be inspired to change your perspective on relationships after seeing a 70-year-old single woman's response to the question "why are you single?"

I've personally been single for quite some time - about 9 months. Before that, I was single for 2 1/2 years. While it has never felt like a choice to remain chronically single, it's probably been in my best interest to be so; being in relationship after relationship after relationship isn't something I want for myself, either.

With every first date, there's hope that we'll hit it off with this person and our long-term bout of singleness will finally end. But there's also the reality that we cannot please everyone, we will not hit it off with everyone, values won't always match up, etc. And then sometimes everything lines up, but free will gets in the way and brings a perfect union to a close. Damn.

One 70-year-old woman in Bombay has a reason for being single that makes me (and may make you) feel a little better about being single.

Humans Of Bombay on Instagram posted her photo with the caption:

"I'm 70, working, happy and still unmarried."

"Any particular reason?"

"No man has been special enough...yet."

Those last 7 words are a great reminder that we should always maintain our self-worth and standards when journeying through the game of life and love, and that "The One" is definitely out there (somewhere).

I can't say I've always done that.

Though I've been better about it in the last 9 months, I'm definitely no stranger to settling for less. That mistake led me into a long-term relationship in which I knew he wasn't "The One" from the get-go - something I deeply regret (though, it's something I learned from). I thought, "Maybe chemistry and sparks develop over time." Unfortunately I miscalculated.

Vulnerability can be scary and, sometimes, used against us when searching for love (which is what makes it so frightening). The fear and act of breaking down those sturdy walls of pent up emotions can get the best of us (and make some of us single for 2 1/2 years!).

But we can't hide forever.

And while we can't hide forever, we also need to remember our self-worth and standards, while letting them be known. Don't hide them - embrace them - and venture into the unknown knowing that you'll come out the other side alive (hopefully), well, and happy. And preferably not single.

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