Now that prom season has arrived, we are being bombarded with adorable prom askings that range from cardboard poster puns to elaborate scavenger hunts. Of course, the askings come with inevitable drama: Who are you going to ask? What if no one asks you? I just broke up with my significant other, what now?

For many of us, there are two options: Either we go to prom single or don’t go at all. The former isn’t as terrifying as it sounds. It’s time to realize that going alone doesn’t mean you were too lame to find a date. In fact, some people don’t even want one.  Others may want to have fun with friends rather than go with someone they barely know.

If you’re like me, then maybe you just want a reason to get dressed up and take nice photos. Or maybe you want to dance the night away at a cool venue to release school stress. Either way, the possibility of attending prom dateless shouldn’t stop someone from going.

Contrary to popular belief, the biggest prom problem is not  finding the perfect dress, but rather the perceived social stigma, especially for girls, of going alone. But in reality it’s not that awkward. In this day and age, young women should not be defined by their relationships with men. For the queer girls out there, I understand that finding a date can be especially difficult for you, but that doesn’t mean prom is a bust, either.

Rather than making awkward small talk with a date, people can focus on having fun with friends. Personally, I’d rather disco on the dance floor than be constantly worrying about how my date feels about me.

Coordinating with friends to attend prom as a platonic group is one solution to the date issue. That way, there are friends to chat with during awkward slow dances.

For people who have friends attending prom in couples, there are other options for enjoying the night together. People can get ready together and take photos as a group. During the inevitable couple photos, single people can opt to take pictures with their best friends in funny couples’ poses.

In short, going single to prom is a viable option for anyone, and doesn’t detract from the fun of the event in any way.