Dear lorn:

On my walk, I remembered what came to my mind when I first read your original post: it was a very short question and answer that I heard or read a long time ago, it went something like this: a man is imprisoned in a jail cell. How does he get out? 

Answer: he stops wanting out.

The man can be free if he stops desiring to be free. Back to you: how can you be free from the desire to have a relationship?

My suggested answer, perhaps: desire freedom more than you desire a relationship. Freedom is a need too, freedom from the desire for a relationship can be stronger than the desire for a relationship. What do you think?

anita