Solo-Maxxing: Digital Creator Chantelle Petit on Why She Chose Herself Over Relationships

Kenyan digital creator Chantelle Petit is speaking openly about her choice to remain single, embracing a rising global trend known as solo-maxxing that’s shifting how young people think about relationships.

The term, which has gained traction across social media platforms, refers to the intentional choice to prioritise personal growth, independence, and self-discovery over romantic relationships. 

For Petit, the decision to embrace solo living came after the end of her last relationship, not from heartbreak, but from a realisation that she had never truly known herself outside of relationships. “My last relationship ended amicably, but I realised I had spent my whole life either surrounded by friends, family, or in a relationship,” Petit shared. “I didn’t know what it was like to exist as just Chantelle. That’s when I decided I needed to spend time alone to get to know who I am outside of a group of people.”

But for Chantelle, the decision goes beyond money. “If you look at it purely from a financial perspective, yes, dating is expensive,” she acknowledged. “Salaries aren’t increasing, and everything else is going up. But for me, it’s about the emotional tax. You end up choosing between one kind of depression, the hurt that comes from relationships and the loneliness of being single. You have to decide which one you’re comfortable with.“

Petit’s decision means she no longer has to carry the emotional weight that women often bear in relationships, “Dating can be a lot of work,” Petit said. “When you’re carrying your own stuff and someone offloads their burdens onto you, it takes a toll mentally, emotionally, and even physically.“

Petit, who shares her journey with her followers online, says the experience has been transformative. “Three things I’ve learned about myself since choosing to be solo: my company is fantastic, I genuinely enjoy spending time alone, and it’s okay to not be afraid of judgment whether from society or family,” she said. “And I discovered I’m a foodie. I love food.”