We all know a person or two in our lives that jumps from relationship to relationship. Overlapping and lining up a new one before letting the old one go. In fact, if you think of it, you might not have seen the person single and alone in years, if ever. Perhaps, this has even been you on occasion, using relationships as a security blanket more than anything else. But with the absence of a good chunk of time in between meaningful relationships, no one loses out more then you. You end up selling yourself short on the learning experience, reflection and time to get to know yourself and what you’re looking for. The amount of time in between relationships is generally irrelevant, but here are some clear signs to look for to gage how ready you are to jump into a new relationship:
1. Are you still thinking of someone else?
Are your thoughts wrapped up still in what could have been with someone else? Are you still daydreaming about what went wrong or the good moments you shared with an ex? Bottom-line, as obvious as if sounds, if you still have someone else on your mind, you simply aren’t ready to give yourself completely to someone new.
2. How much do you enjoy your own company?
Sure, this has turned into a bit of a cliché©, but for good reason. If you aren’t your biggest fan (not in the obnoxious way) then you can’t expect to be ready for a relationship of any real meaning. Take the time to get to know yourself and your hobbies. Become an interesting person, independent of another. You’ll be amazed what falls into your lap when you are satisfied with yourself.
3. You’ve developed your own interests/friends
You’ll find that you bring more to a relationship when you have your own set of interests and friends to share them with. Take the time to learn what genuinely interests you and develop that. When all else fails, you’ll have these important things to fall back on.
4. When you begin to live like you don’t need another to complete you
Enough said. The Hollywood notion and myth that your other half is out there and you are incomplete without them, is well, a fallacy. When you start to live your life like you are enough and you really believe it, then are you ready and secure enough to get into a relationship.
