Breakups are notoriously horrible and painful. No matter if you made the decision or had your heart broken, it can be tricky to decide when you’re ready to get yourself back out there. The dating scene can be hard to navigate, and when you’re still healing from an emotional split, you have extra baggage to consider as you’re pondering your return. There’s a lot to learn about yourself and to process. You want to find the love of your life and stop those feelings of loneliness, but how can you return to the dating scene without getting hurt again?
The sad truth is, you can’t. Love is messy. Dating is messy. It can be hard to find that perfect person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. Still, the first step is getting back out there. When you’re ready to start dating again, you’ll know. When you start thinking about other people, feel like you love yourself completely, and are interested in finding a true partner, that is the right time to get back out there. Once you decide that you’re ready to date, you may need a few extra tips and tricks as you begin dipping your toes back in the water. Here are a few things to remember when you decide that you’re ready to date again.
Take your time.
Contrary to the romantic ideal of “love at first sight,” true love takes time. Don’t rush into something right away as you’re starting out again. Don’t rush into something just because you’ve been alone for a while. The best things in your own life come when you’re patient. Plus, rushing into something can lead to distractions and unhealthy behavior. It’s easy to get completely enthralled with another person to the point that you’re ignoring your friends, investing too quickly, spending all of your time on your cell phone, or responding to text messages. Be careful that you aren’t getting distracted while driving or putting yourself in bad situations. There are so many reasons why you shouldn’t text while driving, so slow down on the road and with your love life before it all crashes and burns.
Go on dates.
When you decide you’re ready to get back out there, you can start by actually getting back out there. Go on some first dates. Flirt with strangers at the bar. Have fun conversations on dating apps. Half the battle is getting involved in the lives of other people. Find a safe place where you feel comfortable and can get to know new people. This is the first step and bottom line to finding new love.
Embrace your sexiness.
If you’ve been out of the dating game for a while, you may not be feeling super sexy or confident. It’s a good idea to find new ways to embrace your own sexuality and the romantic side of a relationship. Try and figure out whatever works for you. Treat yourself to some new underwear or a see through bikini. Whatever makes you feel fine and sexy will be a great way to find your confidence again as you get back out there.
Know your standards.
When you’re ready to date again, it’s crucial that you don’t fall into old patterns. Maybe you were single because you were in an unhealthy relationship. Next time, you need to avoid those mistakes. Set standards, and stay committed to them. This will help guarantee you a good match that will truly make you happy.
Love yourself the most.
While everyone seems to be constantly searching for love, it isn’t the answer to everything. Before you can love someone else and commit to them, you need to figure out how to be happy with yourself. Make a choice to always love yourself the most, and then you’ll attract people who will love you at the same level.
