All of us have been a third wheel at some point in our lives, whether it be with our best friend and her significant other, or even with our parents. Most people feel lonely when they’re third-wheeling, while some feel frustrated. However, a few actually enjoy being a third wheel! Here’s how to enjoy yourself whenever you feel left out on outings with friends or family.

While constantly being surrounded by people in relationships, you begin to notice the ins and outs of what it’s like to have a significant other. It can actually teach you the dos and don’ts of a relationship. You naturally begin to pick up on what’s healthy and what’s not right between two people. That way, when you start to have feelings for someone, or if you’re already in a relationship, you will know more about how to treat them and what not to do.

Chances are, you can enjoy yourself more while you’re out with a couple. For example, if you’re at dinner with your best friend and her boyfriend and they are much too busy looking deeply into each other’s eyes to even take a look at their meal, you get to eat their dinner. Say, they want to go get boba next door to the restaurant, and they become too invested in taking selfies together. You, as the third wheel, get to drink their boba drinks, since they don’t seem to pay much attention or care about you or their drinks at all. In this way, you don’t have to share anything.

People are constantly complaining about how their best friend or anyone else they are close to, no longer has any time for them since they have gotten into a relationship. If you’re lucky, they have already been in a relationship for as long as you can remember. You’re the only single one at the table, and you’ll probably get used to being the one left out anyways. As sad as it sounds, it’s the truth.

By far, being a third wheel is much better than being a fifth wheel. With only three people, at least you will be included and less ignored than being with two other couples. It would be like a double date, with one extra person. It would be even more awkward.

Being a third wheel makes you hopeful. Before going out with a couple, you may have thought that you would have never been able to find true love. After going out with them, you may come to realize that true love really is out there.