How To Be A Successful 3rd Wheel

Have you ever heard the expression "2's company, 3's a crowd"? Well, that's what people say. It makes sense when you think about it. Remember those group projects where everyone had to pair up? It made things so much easier if you actually had a partner, didn't it? No one wanted to be the only person left that had to awkwardly pull up a random chair next to perfectly aligned desks. Even adding numbers go so much smoother when there is just a couple of pairs. Add 2 and 2. Good job! You did that in less than a second. Now, add 5, 783 and 12,957. See? Too much thinking. That analogy was probably pointless, but you read it anyway. Ha! As I was saying, the odd man out has always gotten mixed reviews and that's because very few have mastered it. Here are some tips on being a successful 3rd wheel.

1) Accept it.

Okay, so maybe when your friend invited you out they forgot to mention that their other friend would be there, too. Don't sweat it! Try not to make a big deal out of it. If you keep your cool then the awkwardness won't reach it's full potential. Don't give your friend dirty looks throughout the evening. Try not to show that you're bothered. Where's your phone? Pull out that phone and play Candy Crush for crying out loud! But smile and tilt your head at your phone as if you're really engaged in something very important or adorable. No one has to know you're feeling lonely and playing Candy Crush.      



2) Face the challenge.
                                    

There will be those rare occasions when you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. Sometimes, you'll get invited out by your newly married or boo'd up friends and you'll immediately have the awkward song playing in your head. You have 2 options: go out and bruise your pride or stay home to avoid any moments of being in your feelings. Choose the option that is a little more challenging for you. It's easy to just avoid it altogether by staying home or simply turning down the invite. But how about you fix yourself up and boldly walk into that restaurant with your main squeeze "confidence" on your arm? Go have a great time! The more comfortable you are being around couples while you are single is a great indicator of how much you've learned to embrace your singleness. Brace yourself, though. They may or may not realize you're there.

3) Be a team player.

There's nothing worse than feeling like someone is taking advantage of your professional 3rd wheeling. Sometimes, you're simply present because you take away any pressure of important conversations that your friend is clearly trying to avoid. Just take one for the team. They obviously are not comfortable with this person or the topic and they need you there for that very reason, comfort. You have the power to entertain all of the elephants in the room and your friend is very aware of that. Even though you'd rather be home watching make-up tutorials or Family Feud, you understand the value of your 3rdish awesomeness and your loyalty to a friend. You're awesome for that.



4) Celebrate good times.

No doubt about it, you've lived an exciting life! Who takes the best pictures of your friends when they want to be boo'd up in front of a waterfall? You do. How many wedding proposals have you helped plan? Oh my gosh, lots! How many blind dates have you forcefully gone on so your friend wouldn't be alone with a weird date? Enough. Whose apartment does your friend get dressed at when they don't want their date to know where they really live? Yours! You lucky dog! You've been there to witness it all and it's all because you have perfected your "single, 3rd wheel friend" skills. You've seen love and life from many angles and that calls for a celebration!



5)  Don't be a stick in the mud.

Believe it or not, 3rd wheeling isn't always fun. Fortunately, it's not always about you. Don't be mad at your friends. Just make the most of your situation and be happy for them. If this is something that you do not like, you should talk to your friends about it. Don't hold your emotions in. That's what makes people crazy and end up in prison. Communication is encouraged in these situations.         



6) Know when it's time to leave.

As a 3rd wheeler, your loyalty is unmatched. You're clearly the type of friend that everyone wants in their life. You've earned that spot for many dateless nights now. But, in order to be a successful 3rd wheeler, you need to know when to leave. Don't ever outwear your welcome. Even when you are invited out, you should always listen to that little voice that tells you when it's time to exit. And if you've invited yourself, well, I'm sure they'll want you to exit anyway.

7) Be the best at what you do!

Any job can be tough. That's why you were chosen for it. You've been doing this for a long time and no one can do it quite like you. You can erase the ideology that the 3rd wheel is a drag and make it into a pair of shoes that only the pros can fill. And be happy for all of the couples out there, bff of your bff, and co-workers that are oddly close for people who don't have anything in common other than their job. 3rd wheeling will always be there to assist in any situation. So you do it and do it well. Good wheeling to you, friend.