Martin
How did the "singLOVÉ" project come about?
My name is Martina Holoušová and I am the creator of singLOVÉ, a project for single people. Whenever I mention that I organise events for singles, most people assume that I’m single myself and that I’m primarily looking for a partner for my own benefit. I’d like to set the record straight and share my story with you. In fact, the opposite is true.
Since 2016, I’ve been happily settled with the same man—someone who supports me in what I do and loves me just the way I am :-). Over the years, we’ve been through highs and lows, the "sobering up" phase after the initial honeymoon period, and now we are building a stable relationship, planning our future and a family, and I can truly say I am happy. Our relationship isn't perfect, of course; on the contrary, it’s often a challenge, but I wouldn’t change a thing. But what came before all this?
When I was 28, my then-boyfriend and I broke up after a 10-year relationship, and I experienced being single for the first time. To make matters worse, I was on the threshold of thirty. First, I had to process the breakup—it wasn’t dramatic, but when you lose someone who has been part of your life for a third of it, it really shakes you up. I had to learn how to be alone with myself. Up until then, I hadn't known that at all. In fact, I didn't even really know myself.
It was a very intense period that lasted about a year and a half, during which a lot happened and I changed a great deal. I experienced disappointment and heartbreak, and I hurt a few men myself. When I consciously didn't want a relationship and had no interest in men, they paradoxically swarmed around me like wasps. Yet, when I was actually ready for a relationship, men suddenly seemed to vanish. I became convinced (perhaps you know the feeling) that "all the good ones are taken and I’ll never find anyone." You might be saying something equally nonsensical to yourself right now, but I can assure you that plenty of amazing people are single! I meet them at our events.
Perhaps you’re facing pressure from those around you. Everyone else seems happily coupled up, getting married, starting families, while you still have no one. Parents probe to see if you’ve found someone yet because they’d like grandchildren and you’re "not getting any younger," right? I know it well, I’ve been there, and now I can just laugh about it.
The important thing for me back then was not to lose hope, not to fall into skepticism or self-pity, but instead to realise that I am the creator of my life, not a victim. I am "okay" as I am right now, and if I want change, I have to do something about it—I have to take action. I can honestly say I really enjoyed my time being single. I travelled a lot, tried new things, met new people because of it, and eventually found my partner.
Interestingly, a few years later, when I was already happily settled, many of my friends and acquaintances were struggling with similar problems. They were people in their thirties—personable, attractive even, educated, successful at work, with plenty of interesting hobbies, but no partner. When I talked to them more, they all said the same thing: "But where am I supposed to meet anyone? I basically just move in the same circle of people. Friends, colleagues, family, etc. I don’t feel like 'hunting' in clubs anymore, and I’m keeping the Internet as a last resort." They often asked if I happened to have a single female friend or a nice guy who was free, and I occasionally played matchmaker and tried to connect some of them.
Then a better idea struck me. If everyone feels they lack the opportunity to meet someone, I will create that opportunity for them. Back when I was single, what wouldn't I have given for the chance to go somewhere where I could learn something, have fun, and know that everyone else there was singLOVÉ (single) too! That’s why I give single people the chance to be proactive in their search for a partner, to meet multiple people in the same boat in one place. I create a shared programme for them, and then I keep my fingers crossed that things work out ;-).
And that is how the singLOVÉ project—my experiential dating agency—was born.
I help single people from Brno and the surrounding areas by organising events for singles to find a partner or new people for their lives. I give them the opportunity to meet new potential matches, practice their communication and self-presentation skills, boost their confidence, step out of their comfort zones, and be active in their search. My goal is for them to feel good while dating. Our events are attended by men and women from Brno and the surrounding areas aged 25–40 who are single and want to change that.
If you want a change in your life too, I’d love to meet you at one of our events! :-)
