Some of us find love without any trouble at all – we marry our high school sweethearts or we’re asked out on our first day at a new job — while the rest of us struggle for what feels like forever to even go on a decent first date. Unfortunately, there’s no rhyme or reason to when we find love, but whatever you’re doing, you should know that you’re probably on the right track. Here are 10 signs that you’re closer to love than you think:
- You’re trying. We all have single friends who are so fed up with the dating scene that they go on extended breaks and feel there’s no point even trying. You want to try. You think it’s worth it, no matter how long it takes. You don’t think there’s a specific timeline in which you’re going to find love and that’s the healthiest thought you can have.
- You don’t led bad dates faze you. Everyone goes on awful first dates. It’s like a law of dating or someone. By now, you’ve gone on so many that you can shake off a bad date any night of the week. Instead of crying into a pint of ice cream or calling your BFF in a total I’m-going-to-be-alone-forever panic, you can simply accept that these things happen and it doesn’t mean anything. Go you.
- You learn from your mistakes. This is something that is so easy to say you’ll do but so hard to actually put into practice – like going to the gym or eating kale salads every day. It’s not that you screw up when you date, it’s just that sometimes you allow the same kinds of people to treat you the same kinds of ways. That ends now. You’ve realized your worth and won’t let anyone text you endlessly without asking you out or refuse to call you their girlfriend. You’re over it and ready for so much more.
- You value yourself. While this may seem like it has nothing to do with meeting The One, or whatever your idea of that mythical figure is, it’s actually the most important piece of the puzzle. If you have low self-esteem, you’ll stay in the worst situations. But of course that’s not you – so while you’re waiting for the right guy, you can be yourself and like it.
- You’re having fun anyway. You know the old saying “life’s a journey, so enjoy the ride”? You’re basically the living version of that. Of course you want to meet someone that will take your breath away and sweep you off your feet, but in the meantime, you’re having fun living your fabulous life.
- You’re working on yourself. It’s not that you’re not good enough because of course you are. But you know that we can always be better and we can always learn more about ourselves, and you’re discovering new things about yourself on a daily basis. You’re open to new experiences and never take no for an answer. It’s awesome that you’re becoming the best version of you so when you do meet someone amazing, you’ll deserve it.
- You take things slow. Slow and steady may win the race and it just might bring you love in the end, too. Sometimes it’s magical and romantic to throw yourself into a whirlwind romance and other times, just hanging out with someone as friends for a few months allows a real bond and connection to develop. You know that love begins in a different way each time and don’t have any expectations for what the beginning has to look like.
- You say what you think and feel. If you’re always hoping that someone else will confess their feelings before you do, you might be waiting a pretty long time. Some guys are shy and not exactly all about those grand speeches that we see in rom-coms. If you like someone, you tell them, and that will eventually make someone say, “Cool, I like you too.” And you can’t have love without like, after all.
- You know when to let go. This is so hard but you’re okay with that. You ask yourself the difficult questions and make the difficult decisions. When is he texting so much that he’s forgotten how to express himself in person? When is it clear that things are going nowhere? When you can let go of what’s not working, then you’re so much closer to real love and you won’t waste your time.
- You believe in love. This is almost more important than meeting the right person at the right time. If you’re ready for your soul mate or even just a good first date, if you’re interested in seeing how things develop, if you truly believe that love is possible despite all the reasons why it might not be – then you’ll find it. Really.
