Despite such optimism and variety of coping skills, a great number of single Indian women continue to feel isolated. Many feel like the proverbial oddballs. The lack of a formal female support system exacerbates the feeling of alienation. With no determined spaces for interaction with peers, many Indian single women are constantly gripped with doubts. While occasionally entertaining such doubts is no doubt normal and even healthy as doubts help reconsider our future plans, constant introspection can be debilitating.
Incessant doubts can also create tremendous, and unnecessary, stress.
For many single women, who lack a support network, prolonged depression is a fact of life. When the idea of a handbook for the Single Indian Woman was mooted, I jumped at the chance. Not simply because I am single and thought it was a great idea. I also wanted to learn from other single woman. This book was a chance to swap stories, develop a single woman's support network, voice our concerns and hone our survival skills.