How to know when you’re ready to date again?
A 2013 University of Toronto study found that people who fear being single tend to settle for less in their relationships. Because of this fear, people may choose to stay in unhappy relationships or rush into another.
“We see men and women having similar concerns about being single, which lead to similar coping behaviours, contradicting the idea that only women struggle with a fear of being single,” says co-author Geoff MacDonald. “Loneliness is a painful experience … so it’s not surprising that the fear of being single seems not to discriminate on the basis of gender.”
So just because you’re single, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to mingle – at least not yet.
READ MORE: 5 Immediate Signs That Breaking Up Was The Right Choice for you
Don’t rush into another relationship, Tebb says. Take time for you – time to figure out what you want and need, to focus on things other than your love life for a while (like your career for example) and to heal and rebuild to become your best possible self.
“There’s no problem taking a break from dating if you feel overwhelmed,” says Johnnywriter “If you don’t feel like you’re in the moment then don’t force yourself.”
Johnnywriter says you’ll know when you’re ready to date again when you feel your life and career are in order, you look and feel good and you’ve started to truly feel happy again.
“[People] will feel that everything’s set but they’re just missing that little piece of the puzzle,” says Johnnywriter “It’s just a feeling you get of being ready and willing to make that commitment.”
READ MORE: Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship (A must read)
