How To Know If You're Ready To Date Again

So, you’ve been single for a while. And you’re thinking of jumping back into the dating game. But how do you know if you’re truly ready or if you’re just on a rebound? And if you’ve been single for a very long time, how do you know if it’s finally time to take some risks? Professional Matchmaker and Relationship Expert Linda Prescott reveals 7 signs that you might be ready to date again.

You Start Becoming Your Top Priority Again

It can be easy to lose ourselves in a relationship. Especially if your ex was the controlling type. Sometimes, the best way to let go is to allow yourself to grieve the relationship and that takes time. Once you have done that, the next step is to allow yourself to be the top priority in your life again. You need to start feeling like you again before you can make any serious commitments with another person. Becoming your top priority is important because it means that you are confident and confidence is incredibly sexy.

You’re Not Bitter About Your Ex Anymore

Letting go of someone who’s been part of your life can be very hard. Especially if it was a long term relationship. However, it is also the most rewarding once you manage to leave the baggage behind. The day you no longer feel anger and bitterness towards your ex, that’s when you know your heart is ready for someone new.

You take the time to do things that make you happy.

You’re at a really good place in your life right now. You love who you are, you’re feeling yourself because of it and the world doesn’t stop you from doing so. You’re not trying to please anyone, go to places that other people like. Finally, you are really doing what makes you happy and what excites you.

If you’ve been taking good care of yourself, you’re ready to date again.

You’re Taking Good Care Of Yourself

It’s common to feel down after a breakup. Some days you might feel like staying in bed and some days you’ll feel too upset to see anyone. But when you are in a happy place, everything is different. You will find that you are physically healthy, mentally healthy and you’re also connected with a spiritual outlet. And when you’re in this state, it’s a sign that you’re ready to date again. Linda says, “Before we introduce our clients to their potential match, we always make sure they are both ready to date. They must be in a happy place for them to be able to accept a new person in their life.”

You’re Not Afraid To Be Alone

You don’t feel lost anymore. And you’ve stopped going through your phone to see who is free to keep you company. In fact, you treasure those moments where you’re by yourself. You really don’t need anyone to rescue you when you’re alone. You are all you need.

You build memories, not walls.

When we’ve been hurt from a previous relationship, it’s understandable to build a wall to protect ourselves from being hurt again. But these walls can really stop future relationships from developing well because we can become too mysterious and at times, cold. If you notice that you are more open to getting to letting someone get to know the real you and are not afraid of feeling vulnerable, you’re ready to start fresh. The key is not to get stuck in the past but to enjoy the present.

You’re Making Choices For The Right Reasons

You know what they say about shopping while you’re hungry… you’ll end up buying more than what you need, impulsively. Similarly, when someone is sad, they tend to make decisions based on instant gratification and not necessarily based on what’s good for them in the long run. So if you still feel sad about your breakup, it might not be wise to jump straight into another relationship. However, if your past relationship no longer affects you, there’s a better chance that you will be making better decisions for yourself and your future.

Linda says, “Remember, the most important relationship you’ll ever have throughout life is your relationship with yourself. How you feel about yourself sets the stage for relationships outside yourself.”