Taking a Break from Dating

Sometimes, in every single person's life there comes a time when they feel frustrated, bored, heartbroken, or perhaps just so rejected they cannot take any more. It is at these times they decide to 'take a break' from dating.

As soon as the announcement is made that a break is being taken, it is common for friends and family to try to change the mind of the single, out of fear that the single will become or remain bitter and therefore single forever; or out of their own lack of understanding behind the dynamics of the dating process.

Taking a break can be a useful tool and much-needed part of the dating process for singles. Taking a break can be the equivalent of emotional and mental spring cleaning. Taking a break need not be a negative experience or a lonely one. The following are just a few ideas for a productive, positive, and uplifting break time:

Self-Improvement. The time not being put into dating and relationships can now be utilized for improving one's life in some way. Join a club, take a class, read that self-help book you have always been wanting to read. Develop a new habit in exercise, eating, or any other thing during this time period. It will be easier to develop it when personal stress level is low. Then when the lull is over, the habit will already be firmly in place. They say it takes 21 days to lock in a habit. That is three week's worth of break time to practice the new habit and really get it instilled in your life.

Reflection.Reflecting upon the pros and cons of the prior relationship and dating experiences can help you to create a better 'weeding out' process in the future. It is beneficial to look closely at one's own behaviors and contributions to the cons in order to fix them (self-improvement).

Personal Counseling. This combines Self-Improvement and Reflection in a positive and healthy way. Sometimes having someone who understands the human psyche helping in these processes can be especially effective. Finding a good therapist can be a challenge, but there are practical ways to not only locate one in your area, but also to determine if the therapist you have chosen is the right fit for you.

Catching Up. Using the free time to catch up on long overdue projects can provide a feeling of success and completion which you may really need at this time. Plus, it is always easier to focus on someone else when there are not 100 other things pulling your attention away. Once you decide to re-enter the dating world, you will be doing so feeling better about yourself and what you have accomplished.

Volunteerism.Serving others is a fantastic way to gain a new perspective and to gain positive feelings about yourself and your life. Putting your focus on the needs of others has an amazing way of making your own worries come into a more clear focus and not seem as daunting as they once did.

Utilizing any one of the above strategies, or any combination of them can aid in the healing process and help any single feel ready to jump back into the dating world.