By choice or by chance, we sometimes end up taking a bit of a hiatus from our search for love. Sometimes it’s a welcome break from a stream of endless crappy dates, and sometimes it’s the result of heartbreak. But you don’t have to spend this alone time face-planting into endless pizzas and wondering when you’re ever going to find The One. We all go through this sometimes, so give yourself a break. Here’s how to make the most of this time in your life.
- Travel or become a homebody. Some of us are adventurous spirits who dream of checking off places on our to-travel list. Others would rather curl up at home with a cozy movie or book. Either one is totally cool. When you do start dating again, you’ll have to be both adventurous and okay with staying in sometimes, since no relationship can handle going out every single night – or only staying home every single night, either. So choose what you want to embrace right now and do it.
- Indulge in your guiltiest of pleasures. Listen to some nostalgic ’90s pop or watch the cheesiest of teen dramas. No judgment here. This is your time, so why not spend it the way you truly want to? We all claim to love Mad Men and other serious dramas but if reality TV is more your thing, watch to your heart’s content. TV watching is so much better when you’re solo, anyway.
- Be honest about what you’re ready for. It’s easy to get swept up in a new romance and allow things to move super fast. There’s no time to think and you’re too focused on your hormones. But when you’re single, you can use the alone time to consider whether you actually want commitment or are okay staying single for a little while longer. It’s so much better to decide now rather than risk hurting someone or getting hurt.
- Get domestic. Okay, you don’t need to wear an apron and whip up a three course meal every night. But it’s cool to take pride in a clean and nicely decorated apartment, and it’s always good idea to learn how to cook. Not so you can cook for your next boyfriend – hello, 1950s – but so you can be proud of yourself. It’s pretty awesome when you create something delicious in the kitchen.
- Become more interesting. Of course you’re already a super interesting person, but it never hurts to take up a few new interests and hobbies. They’ll distract you from your single status and make for great first date conversation once you’re ready to get back out there, as they say (wherever “out there” is).
- Have some girl talk. Hearing horror stories about the boys your friends are dating will make you feel 100 percent better if you’re a bit down about not having anyone in your life right now. This won’t be hard since this kind of discussion happens on every single girls’ night out.
- Turn up your social life. There’s no reason to sit at home. Say yes to every party invite. Go to work events. Stop groaning about that family BBQ and show up with potato salad and a smile. A life well lived means going out and being with other people. Just because you’re on a dating break doesn’t mean your social life has to become non-existent.
- Follow your dreams. There must be something you want to achieve, whether it’s career-related or not. Now’s the perfect time to explore your dreams and goals, so go ahead and make them come true.
- Have fun. What’s the point of being alive if you’re not enjoying yourself? Life has its hard moments whether you’re single or totally taken, so why make it worse by not having fun?
