If you love being single, you'll love Emma Morano, once the oldest person on Earth.
Emma Morano spent the vast majority of her 117 years single as can be, and she was perfectly OK with that.
Emma Morano had eaten about 100,000 raw eggs, give or take.
For most of her 117 years on this Earth*, Morano ate three eggs every day (nowadays, though, The New York Times reports, she's down to two). She picked up the habit about a century ago, when her doctor recommended the diet to ward off anemia.
But it wasn't raw eggs she craved on Nov. 29, 2016, with friends and family — and members of international media — huddled around her dusty, two-bedroom apartment in northern Italy. It was birthday cake.
"Hey, isn’t there anything to eat here?" she asked before diving in.
Emma Morano turns 117. Her secret to longevity? She says: raw eggs and remaining single https://t.co/4GHmE1HsVN https://t.co/kgGE10fTyd— New York Times World (@New York Times World) 1480452965
At 117 years young, Morano is, at this time, the oldest known person on the planet.
One of her best pieces of advice to living a long, healthy life? Cherish the single life.
She separated from her husband nearly eight decades ago — when doing so wasn't such a popular move — and hasn't looked back since.
As The New York Times reported (emphasis added):
"She is also convinced that being single for most of her life, after an unhappy marriage that ended in 1938 following the death of an infant son, has kept her kicking. Separation was rare then, and divorce became legal in Italy only in 1970. She said she had plenty of suitors after that, but never chose another partner. 'I didn’t want to be dominated by anyone,' she said."
Photo by Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images.
That's right. If you'd asked Morano, singlehood kept her going for nearly 12 decades (along with that healthy diet of raw eggs, of course).
The science is on Morano's side here, believe it or not.
Although you might assume that people in relationships live longer, what with all the ways society is constantly urging us to find our soulmates and settle down ASAP, research suggests single women are just as likely to live long, fulfilling lives as married ones (men may be different).
Living the heck out of a solo life may make certain people happier than settling down with a partner, too. Research out of the University of Auckland's School of Psychology suggests that, depending on what types of factors motivate our decision-making, staying single might be the way to go for some of us.
So yes — "All the Single Ladies" that Beyoncé knows have science on their side.
Morano, who was "very, very happy" celebrating the big 1-1-7, doesn't need a scientific study to tell her what she already knows all too well.
Photo by Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images.
“115 years are a lot," Morano told The New York Times. When you've lived your life like hers, though, it's time well-spent.
Morano was 12 when the Titanic sunk. She watched the world evolve from using telegraphs to relying on smartphones. And she lived through some dark times in postwar Italy.
But if you ask her, global affairs and technological advances are far less memorable than the relationships she's had — the non-romantic ones, of course.
“My sisters and I loved to dance," she recalled to The New York Times.
Congrats, Emma — 117 never looked so good.
* Update 11/30/2017: Morano died April 15, 2017, still aged 117. Minor changes to this story were made to reflect her passing.
Our mouths loves chips. Our bodies not so much.Photo by 
You can eat well without giving up sweets completely.Photo by 
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.