Getting over a relationship can be hard, it takes months or maybe an entire year to get over the person they used to love. It can never be easy for a person to start dating again. Follow this article to learn more about how long after a long term relationship you should wait to date and what are the signs that you are ready to date again.
Getting over someone can be extremely hard, and each person has their own way of dealing with a breakup. While it might be easy for some to move on from a past relationship, it can be quite difficult for others. Moving on from a long-term relationship can be particularly challenging because of the significant amount of time spent with your ex and the many memories you shared.
Once you’ve decided to move on and are actively working towards that goal, it’s best to spend some time with yourself and reflect on your past relationship. Consider what you do not want in your next relationship. Take your time and don’t rush into a new relationship immediately. Give yourself a period to heal before starting to date again after a long-term relationship.
Follow this article to explore more about how long after a long term relationship you should wait to date and what are the signs that you are ready to date again.
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How long after a long term relationship should you wait to date?
It is not wise to start dating almost immediately after ending a long term relationship. First of all, if you go in immediately in a new relationship then, it will be a rebound relationship. Secondly, a rebound relationship will go nowhere, people use it only to make them feel better about themselves. The best thing you can do is take some time off and focus on yourself. Think about yourself and figure out your likes and dislikes. When you have just ended a long term relationship then you need to keep in mind the following things and they will help you realize how long after a long term relationship you should wait to date.
- At least wait for three months
- You can take longer if you still have feelings for your ex
- Do not go for a rebound relationship
- Give yourself some space
- At least give yourself one year
- Critically think why your relationship did not work out
- Focus on your likes and dislikes
- Meet new people
- Set expectations
- Take things slow
- Do not try to contact your ex
At least wait for three months:
If you have just ended a long term relationship then, it is best if you at least take three months before you start going out again. These three months will give you some time to yourself and you will be able to focus on yourself. The ideal time period after breaking a long term relationship is three months. Although it can take more than three months for some people.
You can take longer if you still have feelings for your ex:
Dealing with break ups is different for everyone. Some people can move on easily while it can be hard for others. When you are in a long term relationship then, it is natural to have deeper feelings for your partner. So, when you break up it can be hard for you to come to terms with it and three months might be a short time for you to get over your break up. But you do not have to worry about anything, you can take as much time as you need before you start dating again.
Do not go for a rebound relationship:
A rebound relationship only works as a person’s escape from their current situation. It might distract you for some time but it will only be temporary. People only use a rebound relationship as a way to make themselves feel better about the entire situation. But it will also not let you move on from your ex relationship because most of the time when a person is in a rebound relationship is because they are just trying to make their ex jealous.
Give yourself some space:
It is better if you take some time off dating and give yourself some space. Spend time with yourself and figure out what you want. This will also give you time to grieve over your relationship. You will be able to see things from a different perspective. Spending some time with yourself can be extremely beneficial for your mental health after a break up.
At least give yourself one year:
It is important for you to take some time off dating. At least give yourself one year before you start dating again. Visit some new places and meet new people. Start doing things you like, indulge in activities that excite you. Focus on yourself and your career. Be independent in your life and do not rush into anything. Take your time and enjoy your life as a single person for at least one year before you start dating again.
Critically think why your relationship did not work out:
Before you start dating again, you must think carefully about why your previous relationship did not work out and what are the things that led your relationship towards a break up. Think critically about each and everything and also think about what you would like to change in your new relationship. Figure out all of these things before you start dating again after a long term break up.
Focus on your likes and dislikes:
It is important for you to figure out what you like and dislike in a relationship. It will protect you from making the same mistakes over and over again. It will also help you when making a decision about your relationship the next time. When you consider your likes and dislikes then, you are able to take care of yourself and there is nothing wrong in it.
Meet new people:
Before you start dating again, it is important that you meet some new people. It will give some time alone with yourself and you will also be able to think carefully about what type of partner you want. You will be able to enjoy your time with new people and make some new memories with them.
Set expectations:
Before you start dating again, set some expectations and do not settle for anything less. These expectations are the result of all the things that were absent from your previous relationship. Do not compromise on them and take your time. Do not rush into anything, look for someone who fulfills all of your expectations. These expectations will only help you look for a better partner than your ex.
Take things slow:
It will be best for you to take things slow after your break up from a long term relationship. Do not rush into a new relationship almost immediately, think about what you want and give yourself some time to think about your present and your future. By taking things slow you will be able to focus on yourself instead of getting into a rebound relationship. Spend some quality time with yourself and figure out your likes and dislikes. This will also give you more clarity about what you want in your life.
Do not try to contact your ex:
Although it may sound tempting, you have to refrain yourself from contacting your ex. It is easier said than done but you have to stop yourself. If you keep on thinking about your ex then, you will not be able to move on from your ex. So, whenever you feel like messaging your ex, you must get rid of that thought as it is only going to give you pain and nothing else.
What are the signs that you are ready to date again?
Every person has their own way of dealing with breakups. It might be more difficult for some people than others. But everyone reaches the stage where they are ready to date again. If you are still confused about whether or not you should start dating again then, following signs will help you realize if you should date again or not.
- You are not bitter about being in a relationship
- You are comfortable being yourself
- You still believe in love
- You have lowered your walls
- You have moved on from your past
- You are excited about meeting someone new
- You have a strong support network
- You know the importance of compromise
- You have learned from your past mistakes
You are not bitter about being in a relationship:
Experiencing a break up from a long term relationship can be devastating for you. It will make you bitter about being in a relationship. You will start to hate the idea of being in a relationship. But when you are ready to move forward in your life then, you will not feel bitter about being in a relationship. The idea of having someone with you will make you feel good and warm.
You are comfortable being yourself:
You are now comfortable in your own skin. You are more confident and you are very clear in your head about your likes and dislikes. You know what you want from your new relationship. You have clarity about yourself and you are comfortable being yourself with other people as well. You are not afraid to hide yourself from anyone.
You still believe in love:
You are not against the idea of being in love. You know the importance of having someone with you and the idea of someone loving you. You believe that there is someone out there for you. Now you are ready to face the world and find your partner.
You have lowered your walls:
When you experience a break up specially after a long term relationship then, it is natural for you to guard your heart from experiencing further pain. But now that you have finally moved on and decided to date again, you have lowered your walls a little bit. You are ready to go out there and meet new people. It is natural that you are afraid of going through a heartbreak again but you want to meet someone and you want to start dating again. You believe in yourself and you are more clear about what you want.
You have moved on from your past:
Although it might not be easy for you, you have finally moved on from your past relationship. You no longer want to get back together with your ex, you no longer cry over him, and you no longer try to contact him. You have realized that your relationship with him has ended and he does not need you anymore. You now understand your importance in his life and you have finally decided that it is time to move on.
You are excited about meeting someone new:
You are finally excited about meeting someone new. You are no longer scared about being in a relationship. You believe in love and you have lowered your walls a little bit and you are now more clear about what type of partner you want. You are excited to meet someone who will like you for who you really are and someone who will be there for you. The idea of dating again does not feel bitter and you are actually excited about it.
You have a strong support network:
You have people around you who have your back no matter what. You have friends and family who care about you and support you no matter what. You know they will be there for you no matter what happens and they are also excited about you dating again. They have been there when you were at your worst and now they are excited that you have decided to move forward in your life.
You know the importance of compromise:
You know that if you want to make a relationship work then, you have to compromise sometimes. Being stubborn and putting your ego above your partner will not get you anywhere. It will only make things difficult for you. But you also know that you do not have to be treated like a doormat. You know your importance and you know the things you are supposed to compromise on and the things you must not compromise on.
You have learned from your past mistakes:
You know what mistakes you made in your past relationship and you know what things you need to change about yourself that are wrong. You have realized your mistakes and you no longer plan on repeating those same mistakes again. This shows how much you have grown from your past relationship and how you are ready to move on in your life.
Conclusion:
Getting over a breakup from a long-term relationship is challenging. Such a breakup can leave a person feeling devastated for days or even weeks. There is no easy way to deal with a breakup, and the process of moving on varies for everyone. Some people manage their emotions well, while others struggle. However, one important thing to remember is not to start dating immediately. It’s crucial to take your time and reflect before entering a new relationship.
The recommended period is to wait at least three months before dating again. However, if you need more time to get over your feelings for your ex, there is no harm in taking longer. Allow yourself to grieve the breakup and take it one step at a time. Focus on self-care, take some time off, and engage in activities you enjoy. Avoid blaming yourself and have faith in yourself.