How to Recover from a Mistake When Dating…By Being Single!

Of course we all dream about finding that special someone who will be in our lives forever. Some of us date non-stop, determined to find him or her now. And some of us cry ourselves to sleep at night, depressed to be single. Being single has a bad name. But really? Being single is just as important as being in a relationship. Trust me on this. I was in relationships from the second month I was at college until a little less than a year ago, which comes to a grand total of 6 years straight. That’s a long time. The break up of my last 2.5 year relationship was particularly tough. He and I had spent a ridiculous amount of time together and when we finally ended our relationship, I thought, “But…but..I don’t even know how to be single. I can’t be single”

But I could be. And I needed to be single in order to actually learn how to be in a relationship. I had jumped from one relationship to the other without giving myself time to reflect on where I had gone wrong (I knew right away where he had gone wrong!) and without giving myself time to figure out how to be alone. It’s important to learn how to recover from a mistake when dating or else you’ll just keep making the same mistakes.

Of course it was tough at first. I came home from work and immediately wanted to call the ex-boyfriend to tell him about my day. I just about went crazy not having someone to cook dinner with every night or to gossip about American Idol with. And sitting at home alone some Friday nights? I cried. A lot.

But months later I’m happier than I ever was when I was in a relationship. I know how to thoroughly enjoy my own company and I know how to live without depending on someone else. I understand the importance of having amazing friends and not brushing them aside for a guy. I’m aware of what I want in a guy and am able to go on dates and tell pretty quickly if he is or isn’t for me. And I’ll never settle for anyone who doesn’t feel right, because why would I want to give up my fabulous single life for someone who can’t give me what I need?

And as far as Friday nights go, if I’m not out dancing and having a blast with my girl friends or on a date, I’m sitting by myself relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. And I love it. I don’t need to be with anyone but myself. And when I do decide to enter into another relationship, it’s going to be so much better than ever before because I know who I am, what I want, and what I deserve.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to take time to reflect on your relationships and learn from your mistakes. And no matter what, always be your own best friend. You never know who will come along after that.