Being told that we, as single women over 50, will become crazy “cat ladies” isn’t the insult men may think it is. After all, if women are weighing their options and consistently choosing cats over men, what does this say about men?
Oh, the infamous “red pill men”!
With their amateur podcast studios, set up in their unfinished basements, cranking out content that literally no one will ever listen to. Their favourite rant, amongst many, is how the downfall of modern women will be their refusal to settle for mediocre men. These single women will become—gasp!—crazy cat ladies. Cue uproarious laughter.
Well fellas, we hate to be the ones to break the news, but being single and owning cats really isn’t some kind of tragic fate. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if women are weighing their options and consistently choosing cats over you, maybe the issue isn’t women?
First of all, we women know our worth and we know that we’re the Prize (full story here) and we don’t need to hear this from others.
And, for many women, especially those of us over 50, the choice is actually crystal clear.
To help explain why this choice is so simple, here are 6 reasons why we’re picking cats.
REASON #1: MY CAT IS ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE ME—WITHOUT THE DRAMA
When I walk through the door after a long day, my cat greets me with a tail flick, a little stretch, and maybe even a gentle rub. He then proceeds to snuggle and purr in my lap as I silently decompress on the sofa.
He’s not glued to a TV, a phone, a computer, or a sports game, barely grunting a coherent “hey” and unable to manage a smile. No contest.
REASON #2: MY CAT DOESN’T MANSPLAIN THINGS HE KNOWS NOTHING OF
My cat never interrupts my story to explain something I already know (incorrectly, no less) or question what I’m saying with a “Are you sure?” followed by a stealth Google search.
I’ve never heard my cat mansplain with a strategically placed, “Well, actually…” right before launching into a ten-minute lecture on a subject that I either hold a degree in or have worked in for over 10 years. My cat listens, blinks, and pretends to care—which, let’s face it, is all I’m really looking for.
REASON #3: MY CAT IS CLEAN AND SMELLS NICE
My cat is impeccably clean, spending hours meticulously grooming himself to perfection. He carefully eats over his food bowl and wouldn’t think to bring his bowl into the living room or, worse yet, bedroom. He even wipes his mouth after eating. I’ve never had to remind my cat to shower. Enough said.
REASON #4: SLEEPING WITH MY CAT IS A JOY
My cat sleeps with me by finding the most perfect nooks, carefully curled up next to me while making sure I am comfortable too. He doesn’t snore, sleep talk, pull my covers off, or take up 90% of the bed. He doesn’t complain each morning that I was the cause of his poor night’s sleep. He loves being near me and let’s me know it.
REASON #5: MY CAT LIKES WHAT I LIKE
I know my cat would one thousand percent prefer to look out the window at birds versus watch Downton Abbey reruns with me. But he’ll happily sit on my lap and listen to Cora Crawley chatter on about luncheons all night long, because he knows I like it.
He is perfectly content curled up next to me, indifferent to my binge-watching choices, without protest. This is because to him, I’m the Prize (I’m the Prize) and he lets me know it.
REASON #6: MY CAT’S LOVE IS CONSTANT AND UNCOMPLICATED
When my cat is in the mood for attention, he let’s me know with affectionate snuggles and head bumps. When he’s not in the mood, he stays near but just happily keeps to himself. There are no mixed messages, no waiting for responses, no decoding vague comments, and certainly no passive-aggressive one-word replies.
My cat’s love is constant and uncomplicated, and I never question his adoration of me.
SO IN CONCLUSION …
I’ll happily embrace the “cat lady” title if it means I will be happy and content. The bad news is that men are going to have to come up with a new insult, and given that creativity isn’t their strong suit, it may take a while. I’ll wait. Kisses xx
