The Guardian is seeking single men across the country to share their real-life experiences of navigating love, loneliness and everything in between. Whether you’re 16 or 60, we want to hear what it’s really like to be unattached in today’s world. From the pressures of modern dating apps to the joy of bachelor life, your story could help illuminate the diverse realities of single male existence.
If you’re willing to speak openly about your dating journey, we invite you to share your experiences through our secure online form. We’re particularly interested in hearing whether you’re actively seeking romance or contentedly enjoying single life. The modern dating landscape can feel like a minefield of red flags, height requirements and confusing signals – or conversely, like a whirlwind of attention you never expected.
Your voice matters in this conversation, and we want to make sure we’re hearing from men from all walks of life and backgrounds.
How to Share Your Story
Participating is straightforward. Simply fill out our online form and tell us about your experience as a single man. You can include as much or as little detail as you wish, and you’re welcome to respond anonymously if that feels more comfortable.
The form asks for basic information about your background and current situation, along with your thoughts on modern dating. You can also upload a photo if you’d like, though this is entirely optional. All submissions are securely encrypted and will only be viewed by our editorial team.
We’re interested in stories from men of all ages and circumstances. Whether you’re a young person figuring out what you want in a partner, someone who’s been single for years and wouldn’t have it any other way, or anyone in between, your perspective is valuable.
What We’re Hoping to Learn
We want to understand the full spectrum of single male experience. Are you actively working to find love, or have you embraced the freedom of bachelorhood? What’s your relationship with dating apps and traditional methods of meeting people? Have you found modern dating to be challenging and confusing, or surprisingly rewarding?
Perhaps you’ve discovered that being single comes with unexpected benefits – more time for hobbies, career focus, or simply the peace of not having to compromise. Or maybe you’re frustrated by the constant pressure to be in a relationship, the awkwardness of social events, or the loneliness that sometimes creeps in.
We’re also interested in how you navigate societal expectations. Do you feel pressure from family, friends or social media to couple up? How do you handle questions about your relationship status? What does being a single man mean to you in 2024?
Your responses help us paint a comprehensive picture of single life for men today. We’ll be selecting stories that represent different perspectives and experiences for potential publication.
Protecting Your Privacy
We understand that sharing personal experiences can feel vulnerable, so we’ve taken steps to protect your privacy. All responses are submitted through an encrypted form and will only be accessed by our editorial team.
You control how your story is used. When you submit your response, you can choose whether we have permission to publish it entirely, contact you for more details first, or use it anonymously. If you prefer not to have your story published at all, you can simply select “this is information only.”
We’ll only use the data you provide for this specific feature, and we’ll delete personal information once the project is complete. If you have concerns about sharing your details, we also offer alternative secure contact methods – just check our tips guide for more information.
If you’re having trouble with the form, there’s a troubleshooting page available. You can also review our full terms of service and privacy policy if you’d like more details about how we handle submissions.
Why it Matters
Understanding the varied experiences of single men helps break down harmful stereotypes and societal pressures that often go unexamined. Too often, single men are portrayed as either desperate romantics or arrogant players, when the reality is far more nuanced. Your stories contribute to a richer, more honest conversation about what it means to be single in contemporary Britain – challenging assumptions and fostering empathy across different experiences. This project could inform future features and spark important dialogue about relationships, society and the diverse paths people take through life.
