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I Choose Not to Get Married
Dalam hiruk pikuk ekspektasi sosial, Kwon Mi Ju memilih untuk tidak menikah, melainkan mendefinisikan kehidupannya sendiri. Buku ini mengajakmu menyelami kisah-kisah yang merefleksikan perubahan pandangan masyarakat terhadap perempuan yang hidup sendiri dari stigma menjadi berangsur menerima.
Namun, di balik pilihan berani itu, ada kesepian yang kadang menyelinap, atau kekhawatiran tentang bagaimana menjalani hidup seorang diri. Potret nyata sebuah perjalanan hidup yang tak selalu mulus.
Sebagai perempuan yang memilih hidup melajang dan tinggal sendiri, Kwon Mi Joo tidak berbicara tentang hal-hal luar biasa di buku ini, melainkan tentang sikap mendasar terhadap hidup: bagaimana menjalaninya dengan berharga, bahkan tanpa pasangan. Ia menegaskan bahwa, terlepas dari status pernikahan atau punya anak, yang terpenting adalah seberapa dalam kamu percaya diri, seberapa bangga kamu pada diri sendiri, dan seberapa besar kamu mencintai dirimu.
Bukalah halaman-halaman yang penuh kehangatan dan kenyamanan ini. Mari belajar bagaimana bersikap saat hidup sendiri maupun bersama, menghadapi setiap tantangan dengan percaya diri, dan merayakan hidup dengan penuh gairah. Karena pada akhirnya, kebahagiaan sejati bahkan dalam kesendirian dimulai dari cinta pada diri sendiri.
Namun, di balik pilihan berani itu, ada kesepian yang kadang menyelinap, atau kekhawatiran tentang bagaimana menjalani hidup seorang diri. Potret nyata sebuah perjalanan hidup yang tak selalu mulus.
Sebagai perempuan yang memilih hidup melajang dan tinggal sendiri, Kwon Mi Joo tidak berbicara tentang hal-hal luar biasa di buku ini, melainkan tentang sikap mendasar terhadap hidup: bagaimana menjalaninya dengan berharga, bahkan tanpa pasangan. Ia menegaskan bahwa, terlepas dari status pernikahan atau punya anak, yang terpenting adalah seberapa dalam kamu percaya diri, seberapa bangga kamu pada diri sendiri, dan seberapa besar kamu mencintai dirimu.
Bukalah halaman-halaman yang penuh kehangatan dan kenyamanan ini. Mari belajar bagaimana bersikap saat hidup sendiri maupun bersama, menghadapi setiap tantangan dengan percaya diri, dan merayakan hidup dengan penuh gairah. Karena pada akhirnya, kebahagiaan sejati bahkan dalam kesendirian dimulai dari cinta pada diri sendiri.
312 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 26, 2026
I was interested in reading this book because of the title I Choose Not to Get Married. As an Asian, choosing not to get married still feels uncommon and sometimes uncomfortable to talk about in our society. From the beginning, I was curious about why Kwon Miju chose this life path. Was there any trauma, sadness, or certain experience behind her decision?
But after reading this book, the feeling I got was very different from what I expected.
Even the cover already gives a small clue. The word "not" is highlighted in red, almost like a statement against society’s expectations. But at the same time, the illustration of a woman sitting comfortably on a sofa, reading a book with her dog beside her, feels warm and peaceful. She looks like someone who truly enjoys her life. From there, I felt this book was not about sadness or loneliness, but about someone who consciously chooses her own life.
And yes, the content feels exactly like that.
This book is not about hating marriage, and it is not a campaign against relationships. It feels more like a memoir and personal reflection about how a woman in her 40s lives her life without getting married, including the advantages, challenges, loneliness, freedom, daily routines, relationships, and even thoughts about aging.
One thing I really liked is how the author explains that living alone does not always mean being lonely. She talks a lot about spiritual connection, friendship, community, and building a healthy relationship with ourselves. Because in the end, whether we are in a relationship or not, people can still feel lonely if they are disconnected from themselves.
Many parts felt relatable, especially because this is written from an Asian perspective. In our culture, unmarried people are often judged or seen as “incomplete.” That is why I think books like this are important. Not to justify one life choice over another, but to open space for different perspectives and different ways of living.
One of the most memorable parts for me was when the author talked about becoming a “quality single.” She explained that being single also requires preparation and self-development — emotionally, financially, mentally, and even in the way we take care of ourselves and build a stable life.
I also liked the part where she said that healthy relationships should come from two people who are already emotionally whole, not from two people trying to use each other as emotional escape.
As someone who loves reading books, I also enjoyed the part where she talked about reading as a way to enrich ourselves and expand our perspective. Not only consuming summaries, but truly reading and experiencing our own interpretation through books.
I really enjoyed reading this book because it felt like listening to life stories and thoughts from an older sister. The writing style feels warm, light, and not judgmental. Some parts even made me stop for a moment and reflect on my own life.
Overall, this book feels light, reflective, and comforting. It does not judge anyone’s life choices, but gently invites readers to see life from a perspective that is still rarely discussed openly in Asian society.
In my opinion, this book is suitable for readers aged 25 and above, especially for people who are starting to question life direction, relationships, social expectations, and how to live more consciously without always following society’s standards.
But after reading this book, the feeling I got was very different from what I expected.
Even the cover already gives a small clue. The word "not" is highlighted in red, almost like a statement against society’s expectations. But at the same time, the illustration of a woman sitting comfortably on a sofa, reading a book with her dog beside her, feels warm and peaceful. She looks like someone who truly enjoys her life. From there, I felt this book was not about sadness or loneliness, but about someone who consciously chooses her own life.
And yes, the content feels exactly like that.
This book is not about hating marriage, and it is not a campaign against relationships. It feels more like a memoir and personal reflection about how a woman in her 40s lives her life without getting married, including the advantages, challenges, loneliness, freedom, daily routines, relationships, and even thoughts about aging.
One thing I really liked is how the author explains that living alone does not always mean being lonely. She talks a lot about spiritual connection, friendship, community, and building a healthy relationship with ourselves. Because in the end, whether we are in a relationship or not, people can still feel lonely if they are disconnected from themselves.
Many parts felt relatable, especially because this is written from an Asian perspective. In our culture, unmarried people are often judged or seen as “incomplete.” That is why I think books like this are important. Not to justify one life choice over another, but to open space for different perspectives and different ways of living.
One of the most memorable parts for me was when the author talked about becoming a “quality single.” She explained that being single also requires preparation and self-development — emotionally, financially, mentally, and even in the way we take care of ourselves and build a stable life.
I also liked the part where she said that healthy relationships should come from two people who are already emotionally whole, not from two people trying to use each other as emotional escape.
As someone who loves reading books, I also enjoyed the part where she talked about reading as a way to enrich ourselves and expand our perspective. Not only consuming summaries, but truly reading and experiencing our own interpretation through books.
I really enjoyed reading this book because it felt like listening to life stories and thoughts from an older sister. The writing style feels warm, light, and not judgmental. Some parts even made me stop for a moment and reflect on my own life.
Overall, this book feels light, reflective, and comforting. It does not judge anyone’s life choices, but gently invites readers to see life from a perspective that is still rarely discussed openly in Asian society.
In my opinion, this book is suitable for readers aged 25 and above, especially for people who are starting to question life direction, relationships, social expectations, and how to live more consciously without always following society’s standards.
April 27, 2026
For to all my fellow women in their late 20, this book is highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews