I say this as a woman, work on yourself, better yourself in your singlehood in the best ways that you can as it also helps you get prepared for the life ahead of you both here in the dunya and in the Hereafter. Indeed, marriage isn't everything but it settles things and gives you a better perspective about your role and goals in this dunya. I remember being strongly advised by a sister who is now married (happily, Alhamdulillah) that it is indeed a desire of a practicing Muslim woman to get married. - and only those who yearn to really please Allah would feel this urge. _____ Sisters, I leave you this advise that my Shaykha shared to me in my early years of studying: When you are a single woman, you are closer to Allah in a means that you are to please Allah "easily" and she explained easily by using pillars as example: Right now you have 3 pillars, which represents your worship upon Allah, your parents and family and your community - you have obligations over these. When you get married then another pillar is added which represents your spouse which then is placed between your worship upon Allah and your parents and family. And she said, pleasing a creation is hard but pleasing the One who Created all things is easy if you only take heed and act accordingly. But also remember that when you strengthen the second pillar (spouse) that when your first pillar (worship of Allah) would tend to fall, the second pillar will hold it get it back - and this is the strength of loving for the sake of Allah. Subhan'Allah. Subhan'Allah. _____ May Allah preserve our teachers. Amin