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When you are single and looking for a relationship, it is not uncommon to be told that you should be "putting yourself out there". Although this advice is often the most commonly told – it also tends to be the most confusing advice because of how vague it can seem. What does being "out there" actually mean anyway? Is it going out and meeting new people? Is it simply leaving your house to go to work or run errands? Is it shouting it to the world that you are single and ready to mingle? In reality, how does being out there even look like and how can you know that you are really trying to meet someone you could potentially be with? This article breaks down 10 easy steps for the singles to get ready to mingle and grasp the opportunity to find love out there. Check out the how-to and prepare yourself!
1. Ask yourself if you really are ready to date. Sometimes the idea of being with someone or being in a relationship is way more awesome in your mind than it actually is in real life. Before you even do anything to start dating again – it's vital to ask yourself if a relationship is even something you actually want right now. Because if it isn't something you really want to pursue or are ready for then all the next steps will be pointless.
2. Are you ready to be vulnerable? A big part of dating or pursuing a relationship with someone is being okay with your vulnerability. Without vulnerability, being with someone romantically will be a big challenge, as a relationship cannot function if you are not emotionally open. If you are not ready for this or feel extremely uncomfortable with being open and vulnerable then a romantic relationship may not be something you want to charge into – at least not right now.
3. Go out! A lot of single people say how much they want a relationship and yet they spend most of their days staying home watching Netflix. It is literally close to impossible to meet anyone you could potentially date if you are physically closing yourself off of that chance. Literally going outside of your home is already going to make a difference whether you want to admit it or not. The man of your dreams isn't going to show up at your doorstep out of the blue after all.
4. Make time to date – make it your priority. There is no use in claiming how much you want to date or be in a relationship if you don't even try to make room for dating in your life. If you are really swamped with work then right now is probably not the best time to date.
5. It's okay to go on dates. The fact is that you will never know how the date is going to be if you constantly assume the worst and refuse to have a bad time. The point of dating or putting yourself out there is to be open to anything and to take chances knowing full well it's not always going 100% go your way. Experiencing bad dates will allow you to learn more about what you want and don't want. Don't be put off by them so easily, instead – learn from them and move on.
6. Accept invitations from men who 'aren't normally your type'. This is a very important advice because so often people cut off chances of being with great men because they simply weren't "their type". Ladies, it's okay to have a type or a preference however, they should not be so black and white to the point that you don't even want to consider dating men who are slightly off course. So, go on that date with that guy who isn't normally someone you would go for – take the plunge! Who knows what can happen – you might end up finding attraction in someone you least expected.
7. Be open to opportunities, no matter where they come from. If you normally decline invitations from friends, co-workers or acquaintances because you cannot be bothered to go out or mingle then break that pattern and accept their invitations. Go out of your comfort zone once in a while (as long as you keep yourself safe obviously) because you never know where they might lead you. You might end up meeting new friends along the way and they might lead you to someone you like. The point is you never know – so, why not try something different?
8. Involve yourself in classes, sports, activities – whatever it is that allows you to meet more people you wouldn't normally meet. You don't have to force yourself to do something you don't want to do or are not interested in however, if you have been thinking about joining a class or taking up an activity then now is the perfect time. Doing this will provide you with bigger chances to meet new people but it will also boost your confidence level. When you keep yourself busy and active – you will also naturally attract men so, it's a win-win situation.
9. Join a dating site or application if you want to. If going out and meeting people in person is something that you just really cannot do then there is no harm in using a dating app. Nowadays, the internet has made it extremely easy for you to date without having to leave your house so why not make the most of it?
10. Do not be afraid to be honest about how you feel. A lot of single people are afraid or feel ashamed to admit that they are looking for someone to date. Forget about looking 'desperate' because there is nothing wrong with saying it how it is. Own the fact that you are indeed looking to date – don't be shy about it. The more you own up to this the more likely you will meet people to date in the first place.
