How The Philosophy Of 'Lying Flatism' Can Help You Embrace Singlehood
This youth movement promotes relinquishing material, societal norms, and relationships for long-term bliss.
By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | August 1, 2023
A new research article published in BMC Psychology sheds light on the philosophy of "Lying Flatism" and its impact on people's perspectives on singlehood. According to the study, individuals who embrace the ideology of "Lying Flatism" are more likely to believe that happiness can be achieved without a romantic relationship, leading to a reduction in negativity towards singlehood.
"Lying Flatism represents a peaceful and innocent form of protest against the inequities of society, where individual efforts alone may no longer be sufficient to effect change in the industrial and structural aspects. Those who willingly embrace Lying Flatism strive to lead simple lives and resist the blind conformity to societal norms," explains the lead author of the study, Chee-Seng Tan, of the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia.
To explore the relationship between Lying Flatism and attitudes toward singlehood, the researchers conducted an online experiment. A total of 232 single Malaysian young adults were asked to report their feelings toward Lying Flatism, singlehood, their fear of being single, and their beliefs about happiness.
The participants were then randomly assigned to either an experimental group, where they wrote an essay expressing support for Lying Flatism, or a control group, where they wrote an essay about an unrelated topic (the weather).
The results showed that individuals who initially expressed favorable interest in the philosophy of Lying Flatism were more likely to believe that a romantic relationship is not necessary for them to achieve happiness. This belief, in turn, reinforced their positive attitude toward being single.
Furthermore, people who were asked to write an essay expressing support for Lying Flatism felt even better about the philosophy after writing it. This suggests that interventions focused on teaching the merits of Lying Flatism might have clinical applications (i.e., helping single people embrace their singlehood).
The authors clarify that individuals who adhere to the belief of 'Lying Flat' are not forced to remain single. Rather, believers of this philosophy consciously make the decision to remain single to attain personal happiness.
"It is important to remind them (people contemplating taking the path of Lying Flatism) that happiness can be derived from various sources, and a romantic relationship is merely one of them," adds Tan.
One of the misconceptions associated with Lying Flatism, however, is that it entails pessimism and hopelessness.
"Practicing Lying Flatism does not imply escaping from reality and shirking responsibilities. It is a decision made after evaluating the current situation and recognizing what truly matters in life. Individuals who engage in Lying Flatism focus on the important aspects of their daily lives to attain a state of well-being," clarifies Tan.
For those interested in embracing Lying Flatism but concerned about its impact on personal relationships, the author offers the following wisdom:
- Embracing Lying Flatism does not prescribe giving up all personal relationships or staying single forever. It is still possible to be involved in a romantic relationship while adopting a Lying Flat approach in other aspects of life.
- At the core of Lying Flatism is the act of recognizing the genuine needs and priorities in one's life and letting go of those that are considered superfluous.
The full interview with Chee-Seng Tan can be found here: Research unlocks a new way to be single and happy: becoming a 'lying flatist'