1. Stay single for three months.
This is mostly for the newly single, but take your time. If you just got out of a relationship, learn to enjoy life on your own. Find the things that make you happy, do things that you’ve wanted to do, and spend time without a significant other. Date if you want, but do so casually. Learn what you like and dislike and give yourself a hard, firm timeline to stay single. You’ll find that when you are content with being single, you’ll be less likely to jump into a relationship for the wrong reasons.
2. Take a trip with your best friend.
Reconnect with your friends. Take a long weekend trip to visit your hometown, visit a new city with old friends, or hit up the beach with your best friend. Spend time doing the things you love doing with the people who know you best.
3. Spend a weekend with a married couple.
Find some friends with a great relationship who are around your age and hang out with them. See what they do well and get a view of your struggles. It’s easy to romanticize relationships and focus solely on the honeymoon stage, but take time to see what a true, long-term commitment should be based on.
4. Travel. Visit a foreign country by yourself.
Be bold. Being in a relationship can be great, but the logistics of taking a major trip can be a nightmare. Do it while you’re single! Visit Europe, backpack through Central America, explore Australia, or visit the pyramids in Egypt. You’ll find it liberating and adventurous: a true, once in a lifetime opportunity. And you’ll have great, interesting stories to tell on that first date.
5. Be picky. Don’t fall too fast.
Learn to say no. It’s much too easy to jump right back into a relationship if you’re just out of one, or jump too quickly at the first sign of sparks when you’ve been single for a long period. Don’t do it! Take the opportunity to find someone who truly complements you, whom you have a deep connection with, and whom you find attractive.
6. Find yourself.
The easiest path to a happy, healthy relationship is understanding what you like and what makes you happy. Take the time to find yourself while you’re single. Learn what you love, discover your goals and ambitions, and write down your priorities. Make sure any relationship going forward allows you the opportunity to be yourself and reach your goals. There’s always give and take, but make sure you have a firm understanding of where to draw the line.
7. Reconnect with old friends.
Relationships, particularly difficult ones, can be very hard on friendships. While you’re single, reconnect with old friends and create a meaningful, lasting connection that can continue no matter what the relationship status. Don’t use friends as a crutch to fill the void of your lost relationship, rather find ways to ensure that your friends and family can stay part of any new relationship.
8. Get in shape.
When you’re single, you want to look and feel your best. Hit the gym and get in shape! You’ll feel better, have more confidence, and get your next relationship off on the right foot. Find unique ways to get in shape. Play tennis, golf, basketball, etc. You may find that you meet someone who has the same interests.
9. Actively meet new people.
Meet new people every day, or at least learn more about the people you know. It’s easy to sulk and feel isolated when you don’t have that special someone in your life. Don’t be scared of online dating and use all the tools available to you to meet people on your terms. But don’t stop there. Talking to people at your office, at the store, at the gym, etc. is a great way to stay social with no pressure. It’s not just about finding someone new, rather it’s a chance to become a more social, engaging person.
10. Enjoy it.
Being single can be fun. Take it as a challenge. Learn about yourself. Take chances. Go on trips. Being single doesn’t have to be lonely or filled with late nights in bars. It’s a chance to discover what you like, learn more about others, and take your time to find the person of your dreams. So enjoy it. Featured photo credit: photosteve101 via flickr.com
