Whether you view relationships as the death of your freedom or the exciting start of a new chapter in your life, here is a list of things to keep you busy while you wait to meet that special someone.
#1. Focus on Your Career
Envision where you want to be and work hard to get there. You might never have this much time and opportunity again. If you find yourself going in a direction that doesn’t make you happy, quit and restart while you can. Find a career you love and pursue your dreams.
#2. Wear Sweats as Often as Possible
If you end up in a relationship, it will be far too long before you can be careless again. You may spend the first few months of a new relationship primping excessively just to leave the house in case you run into that special someone. You may even find yourself waking up early just to brush your teeth or put on makeup before your man or woman wakes up. Cherish the days you grocery shop or grab coffee with a friend in your sweats. Feeling bold? Stop wearing makeup. You may even find out you like that look better.
#3. Travel Alone
Cross the pond at least once. Leave the continent or at the least your home country and acquaint yourself with a new culture. Spend enough time to feel the effects of culture shock. Putting miles between you and your friends and family can feel lonely, but it is only in that quiet loneliness that you can find solace and discover yourself. Be spontaneous but safe, because you never know where you will end up. Stay in a reputable hostel and you might meet some eclectic people. You never know, you may meet someone you can stay with next time you travel or the special someone you’ll stay with for the rest of your life.
#4. Spend Time With Your Family and Friends
Cherish the time you have alone with your family. When some people get into relationships, they fall head over heels so hard that they neglect important people in their life. If you fall under this category, you may find yourself texting your significant other during family dinner and not listening to your grandfather’s war stories. You will want to spend vacations and time off with your boyfriend or girlfriend rather than go on the annual family trip. Even if you aren’t the type to lose yourself in a relationship, you can’t control everything. Eventually a time will come that you have to split holidays between your parents and in-laws. Don’t look back and wish you had spent more time with them. Make it happen now. And don’t forget your friends either.
#5. Wait for the Perfect Person and Never Settle for Less
Now that you’re single, wait for someone who is worth it. Don’t jump at the first person that buys you dinner. Just because you are both Star Wars fanatics and obsessed with orange cats doesn’t mean you are compatible. Sure he or she may be attractive, polite, and share many commonalities with you, but there are sure to be flaws too. Maybe her entire Facebook wall is daily photos of her orange cat and the last time you posted anything on Facebook was 8 months ago to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. Or maybe he is so obsessed with Star Wars he talks like Darth Vader in the bedroom and asks you to play with his lightsaber. These may be trivial quirks you can work on but you need to find out either way. Weigh the pros and cons. Learn what you prefer and what you dislike and don’t settle until you find the one that satisfies these. But always remember the #1 person you need to focus on: YOU.