My Single Story - Diamond Ring

A few people have asked me about my story. Why I am single. I found a song today that perfectly describes a time in my life when I was at a crossroad and found myself ultimately walking the path alone. 

Diamond Ring, Sheryl Crow - Detours, 2008

I felt pressured to take my relationship with my long time boyfriend to the next step. We had been and lived together for multiple years and I loved him. We were comfortable. 

I thought I wanted a ring. A diamond ring. 

That Christmas morning when I opened my gift from him and saw a beautiful diamond ring staring back at me, I was in shock. It was a promise ring, not an engagement ring, but it was still a promise. 

We've all heard about those "near death" stories where your life supposedly flashes before your eyes. Well, that was happening as I was entranced with those diamonds. I saw good times and bad times. Then I flash-forward to all those life experiences that I was not going to have because of my commitment. 

As hard as it was, that ring woke me up. Brought me back to reality. 

I loved him but I needed to completely love myself before I was ready to give my all.

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Diamond Ring 

We made love all day
In our little hide away

But I blew up our love nest
By making one little request

Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Don't mean anything
Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Should not mean a thing

You could say I do
Hide your negative reviews
You love me you say
But you can't even face the day

Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Don't mean anything
Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Should not change,

Some say love is blind
But I say love is only in the mind

Diamonds may be sweet
But to me they just bring on cold feet

Someday you'll be like me
With someone who just wants to be free


Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Fucks up everything
Diamond ring
Diamond ring
Should not mean a thing.

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I am BLESSED to say we are still good friends but for right now, just friends. I love him. I would do anything for him and I know he would do the same for me. We are living separate but happy lives. Separating was the right decision. We found ourselves again and we found our own independence. 

(fun times, just friends) 

If I told you I didn't think about that diamond ring, I would be lying. 

If I told you I didn't put it on my finger once and a awhile, I would be lying. 

...But perfectly lonely is where it and I will stay... 

Perfectly Lonely Playlist

Music is part of my soul. It always has been. Through song, dance, instrumental... whatever it may be. It has made my life better.

I think everyone can relate to that feeling when a certain song comes on and it empowers you...with joy, sadness, nostalgia, strength. Whatever it may be...music triggers something in our brains that makes us feel a certain way. 

So, when I found myself broken up with my longtime boyfriend, moving out of the house we made our home and finding myself alone WAY more, music came to the rescue. 

I went onto my iPhone/Spotify and made myself a PERFECTLY LONELY PLAYLIST. A playlist that encourages me, gives me strength, and reminds me that I am okay being single, alone. John Mayer said it best, being perfectly lonely. 

So, I thought I would share it with you! These songs struck a key in my heart and I hope they help you too. (Warning: There is no consistency with genre except they are good "Single Lady" songs!) You can find my playlist on Spotify under "Perfectly Lonely" or search Emily Schneider. 

Superwoman - Alicia Keys 

A Woman's Worth - Alicia Keys

A Brand New Me - Alicia Keys

Girl On Fire, Inferno Version - Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj

Body & Soul - Amy Winehouse, Tony Bennett

Love Is A Losing Game - Amy Winehouse

Tears Dry On Their Own - Amy Winehouse

You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse

Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman

Don't Tell Me - Avril Lavigne 

Irreplaceable - Beyonce

Listen - Beyonce

Me, Myself, & I - Beyonce

Single Ladies - Beyonce

Hit 'Em Up Style (Ooops!) - Blu Cantrell 

Don't Keep Me Waiting - Britney Spears

Out From Under - Britney Spears

Overprotected - Britney Spears

Selfish - Britney Spears

Stronger - Britney Spears

Trouble For Me - Britney Spears

I Will Survive - Cake (or Gloria Gaynor for the original but Cake is my fave) 

Good Girl - Carrie Underwood 

Last Name - Carrie Underwood 

Army Of Me - Christina Aguilera

Circles - Christina Aguilera

Glam - Christina Aguilera

I Hate Boys - Christina Aguilera

Monday Morning - Christina Aguilera

Not Myself Tonight - Christina Aguilera

Prima Donna - Christina Aguilera

Stronger Than Ever - Christina Aguilera

Vanity - Christina Aguilera

Just A Fool - Christina Aguilera & Blake Shelton

Jar Of Hearts - Christina Perri 

Like A Boy - Ciara

Bad Habit - Destiny's Child 

Emotion - Destiny's Child 

Girl - Destiny's Child 

Say My Name - Destiny's Child 

Won't Back Down - Eminem & P!nk

Let Loose - Expendables

Shake It Out - Florence + The Machines

I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem) - Good Charlotte

Video - India.Arie

Breakdown - Jack Johnson 

Imagine - Jack Johnson

99 Problems - Jay-Z 

Assassin - John Mayer

Edge of Desire - John Mayer

Friends, Lovers or Nothing - John Mayer

Heartbreak Warfare - John Mayer

In Repair - John Mayer

Waiting on the World to Change - John Mayer

Who Says - John Mayer

Stronger - Kanye West

To The World - Kanye West, R. Kelly, Teyana Taylor 

The One - Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Marsha Ambrosius
Stupid Boy - Keith Urban

Caught Out There - Kelis 

Dark Side - Kelly Clarkson OR Glee Cast 

Miss Independent - Kelly Clarkson 

Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson

Gimme What I Want - Keri Hilson

Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson
C'Mon - Ke$ha
Dirty Love - Ke$ha, Iggy Pop 

Erase Me - Kid Cudi, Kanye West

With Or Without You - Kina Grannis

Goodbye - Kristinia DeBarge

Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill 

Fuck You - Lily Allen 

Knock 'Em Out - Lily Allen 

The Fear - Lily Allen 

How To Hate - Lil Wayne & T. Pain 

Dedication To My Ex (Miss That) - Lloyd & Lil Wayne & Andre 300

Another Night - Mac Miller 

What It Feels Like For A Girl - Madonna OR Glee Cast 

Better That We Break - Maroon 5
If I Never See Your Face Again - Maroon 5

Bitch - Meredith Brooks
Amnesia - MoZella
Let's Stop Calling It Love - MoZella
Light Years Away - MoZella (Pretty sad one, beware)
Uh-Uh - MoZella
You Don't Love Anyone But Yourself - MoZella 

Single - Natasha Bedingfield

Miss Independent - Ne-Yo

Maneater - Nelly Furtado 

Hella Good - No Doubt

Just A Girl - No Doubt

There You Go - P!nk 

U+Ur Hand - P!nk
Hell On Heels - Pistol Annies

Any Man Of Mine - Shania Twain 

Man! I Feel Like A Woman! - Shania Twain 

That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain 

Young, Wild & Free - Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
Lucky You - the JaneDear girls
Wildflower - the JaneDear girls

Whiskey Girl - Toby Keith 

He Wasn't Man Enough - Toni Braxton 

Fed Up - Through The Roots 

Independent - Webbie

The Thrill - Wiz Khalifa 

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Wow! That was a bigger list than I thought! -- Did I miss any of your favorites?? 
- Besides Taylor Swift. Sorry I have a personal vendetta against her. Another post on that later -