Even if you’re seriously looking for love, no one needs to be actively dating 24/7. If anything, a dating detox could be just as life-changing as an amazing relationship. If you’re tired of boring dinners and the drama of dating apps, maybe it’s time to swear off dating and embrace being single, at least for a little while. Here’s how you know it’s time to take a step back.
- Are your friendships are suffering? It’s easy to get sucked into a relationship time warp when you’re wrapped up in a new romance. Is he into me? Are we well-suited? Is this forever or just a fling? While your mind is consumed with all these questions, other relationships (like those with friends and family) tend to fall by the wayside. I mean, friendships are bound to change slightly once you find a significant other, but they shouldn’t disappear altogether.
- Do you still have ‘me-time’? When you really like someone, you want to spend all your time with them, right? It’s totally normal. But as much as you love being with someone or dating new people, this kind of behavior can be very damaging. Why? Because everyone needs to get stuff done in life. Not to mention your individual needs, wants, and passions; those are super important too. So if you find yourself with no quality time by yourself these days, consider a dating detox. It’s the only way to re-connect with your independence, freedom, and sense of self.
- Do you have time to focus on your career? It’s predicted that today’s youngest workers including college graduates will hold 12 to 15 jobs in their lifetime. Lining up a new job or even changing industries takes time and careful planning. But realistically, who has time to focus on that when finding “The One” is almost a full-time job in itself.
- Do you still have hobbies? I know so many people who subconsciously spend all their free time googling new restaurants to try or cute couple activities to do on their dates. Basically, their entire life revolves around whoever they’re dating and planning things they can do together. A dating detox is a game-changer when it comes to re-discovering your hobbies and passions.
- Are nights out just the biggest letdowns? It’s a simple process: you get dolled up, you go out, you down some drinks for liquid courage, you try and spot a cutie and if all goes well, the attraction lingers (even if they act like a frat boy the whole time). Whenever I’d come home from a night like this, I’d be asked how it went. I almost didn’t realize how monotone and predictable my answers had become. “It was OK,” or “You know, the usual.” Because unless you hit it off with a really cute guy and he didn’t throw up all over your shoes at the end of the night, is it even worth mentioning?
- It’s not you, it’s them. Sometimes, the dating scene can feel like a maze of dead ends and after dating so many potentials, it’s totally normal to start asking yourself, “Are they really the problem or is it me?” If your confidence is shot and your sense of self-worth has taken a nosedive because you lack a partner, it’s time to focus more on yourself and less on dating.
- Are you sick of the drama? Tired of complaining with your girlfriends and reliving the drama of every terrible date you’ve been on? You’re really not alone. Consistent dating can be a major downer when all your time is spent swiping right and flirty texting without forging any real connections. Do yourself a favor and tap out of the dating scene for a while. It can actually do you a world of good.
- Is your health taking a hit? It’s no secret that American millennials (57 %, to be specific) value their health, and wellness is a daily pursuit. Physical and mental well-being are most often compromised when work and career goals are held to higher priority, but being constantly involved in the dating game also has its impact. Exercising becomes less frequent when your spare time is spent getting to know a potential partner, and very rarely would you begin exercising together (in all your sweaty glory) before you’ve even started dating exclusively. Eating smarter is also a problem when you’re dining out 2-3 times a week, and these concessions add up over time. Don’t sacrifice your health for anyone, period.
- Do you secretly like being single? There are two types of people in the world: those who are single and always looking for love, and those who are single because they actually want to be. Most of the time, they complain about single life but deep down, they love it! Not all single people are sad and lonely despite the common misconception. Some people just tap out of the dating game by choice, and that’s totally fine too.
