Gen Z has a new word for almost every way of living. There is looksmaxxing, sleepmaxxing and even careermaxxing. Now, the internet has found a name for something much more personal: choosing to be single.
Enter solomaxxing.
The term has recently gained traction on TikTok and other social platforms, where young adults are reframing singlehood as something they can actively enjoy rather than a phase they have to escape.
But behind the solo dinners, hobbies and “protecting my peace” posts is a bigger question: are people genuinely happier alone, or are they simply tired of modern dating?
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So, What Exactly Is Solomaxxing?
Solomaxxing means intentionally choosing single life and putting your time, money and energy into yourself rather than actively pursuing a romantic relationship.
That could mean deleting dating apps, going on solo trips, eating out alone, taking up a new hobby, focusing on fitness or putting more effort into friendships and career goals.
The important part is the choice.
Being single has traditionally been treated as something temporary. You were single until you found someone, got married or “settled down”.
Solomaxxing turns that idea around. It treats being single as a lifestyle that can be fulfilling on its own.
The term comes from the internet’s obsession with adding “maxxing” to different forms of self-improvement. Solomaxxing has also been called “singlemaxxing”, “alonemaxxing” and “bymyselfmaxxing”.
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Why Is Dating Suddenly Feeling Like Hard Work?
Money is one part of the story.
A February 2026 survey by BMO found that the average all-in cost of a date in the US had reached $189, including food, drinks, transport and pre-date grooming. That was 12.5% higher than the previous year. Nearly half of US singles surveyed said dating was not financially worth it.
For young adults already dealing with rent, career uncertainty and everyday expenses, dating can feel like another recurring cost.
Then there is dating-app fatigue.
The process can involve endless swiping, starting conversations with strangers, being ghosted and repeating the cycle. A 2026 MyIQ survey cited by Fortune found that 46% of respondents said dating apps had made relationships feel more disposable.
Solomaxxing therefore offers a simple alternative: stop searching and spend that time on yourself.
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It Is Not Just About Saving Money
For some people, the appeal goes beyond the price of dinner.
Solomaxxing also reflects a changing attitude towards relationships. Being in a relationship is no longer automatically viewed as proof that someone has “made it”.
A 2026 MyIQ survey of 14,380 adults across several countries found that nearly half of respondents aged 18 to 34 said being single felt more peaceful than being in a relationship. Forty-two per cent said relationships could interfere with personal goals, financial stability or self-development.
That does not mean Gen Z has stopped believing in love.
Instead, the expectation that everyone should actively search for a partner appears to be losing some of its power.
For people who enjoy their independence, being single can mean having greater control over their routines, finances and time.
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But Is Solomaxxing Actually Good For You?
It can be.
Taking a break from dating can give someone time to recover from a difficult relationship, understand what they want and develop interests outside romance.
There is also nothing inherently unhealthy about being single. A person can have a rich social life without having a romantic partner.
But being alone and being isolated are not the same thing.
That distinction matters.
The US Surgeon General’s office says social connection plays an important role in health and wellbeing. Its advisory notes that social isolation and loneliness are associated with higher health risks, while strong social connections can improve wellbeing.
So, choosing not to date does not mean choosing not to connect.
You can skip dating apps and still meet friends, spend time with family, join a club, travel with others or build a community around your interests.
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The Real Question Is: Why Are You Doing It?
This is where solomaxxing gets complicated.
If someone is single because they genuinely enjoy their independence, there is little reason to see that as a problem.
But if “I am protecting my peace” actually means “I am scared of getting hurt again”, the situation is different.
Psychology Today notes that solo-maxxing can bring greater peace and independence, but also warns that it can become avoidance when fear rather than choice drives the decision.
That makes the healthiest version of solomaxxing less about rejecting relationships and more about refusing to make relationships the centre of your life.
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Single By Choice, Not By Default
The biggest change behind solomaxxing may simply be language.
For years, being single often came with questions: “Are you seeing someone?” “When are you getting married?” “Why are you still single?”
Social media has now given some young adults a different answer.
Maybe they are not waiting.
Maybe they are travelling, saving money, building careers, learning new skills, spending time with friends or simply enjoying their own company.
And if they eventually meet someone they genuinely want to be with, that does not cancel out the solo life they built before them.
That may be the real point of solomaxxing: being single does not have to mean being incomplete.
For Gen Z, the goal may not be to avoid love forever. It may simply be to stop treating love as the only thing worth looking for.
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TL;DR | News At a Glance
What is solomaxxing?
It is the intentional choice to stay single while focusing time, money and energy on yourself.
Why is solomaxxing trending?
Rising dating costs, dating-app fatigue and changing attitudes towards relationships have helped push the trend online.
Does solomaxxing mean giving up on love?
Not necessarily. It can mean choosing not to actively date while remaining open to a relationship in the future.
Is being single unhealthy?
Being single itself is not inherently unhealthy. The concern is social isolation and loneliness, which can affect wellbeing.
What makes solomaxxing healthy?
Choosing singlehood because it genuinely suits you, while maintaining friendships, family connections and a wider social life.
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