Are You Ready To Date? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

Are You Ready To Date?

A few indicators that signal to you that you may be ready to date and form new relationships.

460
Are You Ready To Date?

There are periods in our lives when we try to remove ourselves from the social atmosphere of dating. Some of us are looking for love, and we do not feel we have found anyone who provides that for us. Some of us are looking for something casual, but feel others are looking for something serious or are just purely uninterested. Some of us are still dealing with the side effects of a break-up, and need more closure before exposing ourselves again. Still some of us are still trying to figure out who we are and what we want before we dive into anything remotely romantic. All of these reasons hold us back at some point, but how do we know when we are ready to date? Here are five signals that may demonstrate you are ready.

​1. You Want To

If you want to be dating, you should. Some of us tell ourselves that we want to, but are not ready. However, that thought is a bit contradictory. The mere willingness to date shows that, to some degree, you are ready. It may be the case that you think you are mentally ready, but do not feel physically or emotionally ready yet. That is understandable, but there is not much risk with dating a little and getting your feet wet. Some people dip their feet in the pool before they submerge themselves in it.

2. You Have The Time

Time is finally on your side. Some of us told ourselves that we did not have the time to date, but it is important to know that we make time for the things that are important to us. So, it is less that you have time, and instead that you are prioritizing dating. Whether school, work, or family was holding you back, you realize the importance of your own happiness and well-being. Online dating could also be a friend to you.

3. You Have The Opportunity

Just because we may not be actively looking for someone to date, does not mean others may not be wanting to date us. Someone may flirt with you unexpectedly at a venue or event, and though you may be toying with the idea of whether you are ready or not, that inner conflict may show you that you are ready, but you are a bit scared or anxious. Deciding whether we should or we shouldn't, mostly leans more towards one side. And in cases like these, the should is likely more of what we would pursue. If this is a person we would attempt to date at a later time, then it may be worth the chance to engage with that person for they may not always wait for us.

4. You Like What You See

Some of us need examples of what a good relationship looks like before we start dating. Though no relationship is perfect, some of us like the idea of a healthy companionship that a relationship may bring. You may see a strangers infatuated with each other, or you may see a friends genuinely enjoying the company of one another, and you may want to have that. Ultimately, you should have that. It is important to not try to emulate a relationship you see, but to use what you see as a motivation to develop a relationship that works for you. Hence, dating. Seeing can be believing.

5. Your Needs Are Not Being Met

Some of us are comfortable with our friends, family, and self so much that we may think that we do not necessarily need to date anyone. But famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow, states that we have a constant need for belongingness and love that derives from intimate relationships. There are aspects of your life that may feel vacant if you do not consistently engage with others in an intimate and interpersonal way. The truth is that we need people, especially if want to obtain some form of self-actualization.

So, are you ready to date?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1446
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

968
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

207
winter

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1620
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments