Signs You’re Not Ready For A Relationship—And Signs You Are

There's a fine line between wanting to be in a relationship and realizing you shouldn't be in one. Thankfully, you've arrived at the right place to help you distinguish between the two.

Many signs indicate you should remain single, and others say you're ready to get into something with someone. The first 10 items on this list will tell you if you need to pump the breaks, and the next 10 will explain the signs that let you know you're good to go.

You're Meeting The Worst Guys

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If your luck continues to let you down when meeting potential partners, that could be the universe speaking to you. It's saying you should stay single for a little while longer.

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You Won't Be Happy Until You Meet The One

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No one on this planet needs to find "the one" for them to be happy. Happiness comes from within, so if that's your mindset, you should consider lying low until you can make yourself content.

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You Want A Project

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For a relationship to be healthy, both parties need to bring something to the table the helps improve the other. You shouldn't get into something with the sole purpose of fixing someone up.

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You Lose Your Passions After Meeting A Man

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Trading what could be a flourishing love for the passions you've always had isn't a very good deal. What if this man leaves you for what he loves, so now you're back at square one?

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You're Still Not Over Your Last Breakup

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If you haven't moved on from your last relationship, now isn't the time to get into a new one. Heal from the past damages before you embark on a new journey.

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You're Changing Yourself For A Man

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In most cases, neither you nor the guy you want should have to change who they are as a person to find compatibility. The right person will accept you for you, so don't spend time changing who you are as a person.

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Other Things In Life Have You Tied Up

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Being busy with other aspects of life isn't a bad thing, but it is something that can put your love life on hold. If what you want to accomplish takes a back seat when you start dating, maybe reconsider your position.

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You Don't Take Criticism Well

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If you can't handle criticism, taking it in a relationship won't be any easier. In fact, it could lead to acting out of character and things getting heated, so first learn to take criticism like a champ.

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Change Scares You

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Change is inevitable, and the quicker you accept that, the better off you'll be. Hiding from it isn't helping, and it comes with any new relationship. You won't have the same life when you start dating.

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You Think About How Others Would Perceive Your New Relationship

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If you find yourself wanting a relationship because of how people in your life—like your family, your exes, or your friends—would react to you dating someone, you're not ready to really get involved with someone new.

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You're Unwilling To Admit Your Negative Behaviors In Past Relationships

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No one is perfect, and everyone has things that they do in relationships that were damaging to a partner. If you only view yourself as a victim of past relationships and are unable to take any accountability for your own actions, you shouldn't be getting into a new relationship.

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You Romanticize Potential Partners/Relationships As A Whole

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Whenever you meet someone new, you let your mind run wild with how your relationship will go and imagine how this person will act toward you. Not only can they never live up to the expectations you create, but you also end up invested in someone who might not be as great as you believe.

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You Don't Want To Be In A Relationship

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If you don't want to be tied down, then don't force it at all. Let it come to you when you're ready, and things will be a lot better for you.

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Often, We Aren't As Ready For Relationships As We Think

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It can be hard to admit that, despite wanting a relationship, you might not be ready to fully engage in one. You should, rather than trying to pursue something that's destined to fail, just take time alone.

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So How Do You Know You're Actually Ready?

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Just as it's hard to tell if you're not ready, it can be equally as hard to know that you're actually ready for a relationship. However, these are some signs that you're in the right headspace.

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You Have No Issues Trusting People

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If someone in your past betrayed you, it can make sense that you have trouble moving forward with someone else. If you don't have that issue and you can trust easily, it would be safe to get into a relationship.

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You're Ready To Settle

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There's a line between needing a partner and wanting one. If you feel like you can open your heart to someone and have a lot to offer, then you might be ready.

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You Aren't Afraid Of A Little Broken Heart

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A broken heart isn't anything to you. Some swear off relationships because of that, but you aren't afraid of experiencing it. That enables you to go in full of love.

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You Want To Give Even If It Isn't Returned

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As mentioned earlier, a healthy relationship occurs when both parties give into it. If you're ready to do your part and aren't afraid of receiving anything in return, you're ready for the real deal.

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You Have No Pressure To Be In A Relationship

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When there's no pressure, you have freedom. You can get into something if you wanted to, but going with the flow is a better route. If you don't define yourself by your relationship, it's more likely to work out.

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You Don't Mind Being Alone

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This might confuse you, but don't let it. If you can handle being alone and enjoy it, then you can handle being away from a partner. Being clingy isn't healthy and is what happens when people can't stomach being alone for too long.

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You Don't Have Many Rules

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If you don't have many rules, you aren't going to deny someone for a questionable reason. Too many deal breakers will keep you single longer than you'd like, so not having many is a good sign.

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In Contrast, You Know What You Can't Compromise On

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You don't have a list of requirements that a new romantic interest has to check off, but you do know what you can't compromise on. For example, you don't want kids or you want your partner to hold certain values.

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You Know How To Say No

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Some folks end up in relationships because they can't say no. They can't admit something isn't working for them. Knowing how to say no gives you more power than you think and sets you up for what you really want.

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You're Ready To Grow

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Growth automatically comes with the prospect of a new relationship. You two will have to learn about each other, and that brings about change. If you're ready for that aspect, then you're ready to give love a shot.

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You Love Yourself

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Loving yourself is the ultimate test. If you can't check that off your list, then you for sure aren't ready for a relationship. Learning to love yourself is an adventure, so conquer that and you're ready.

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You're Able To Manage Conflict Well

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You can confront someone in a productive way, and you're able to be confronted by a partner, consider your actions, and constructively take their criticism to make yourself a better partner.

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You Focus On The Person In Front Of You

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When you start seeing someone new, you focus on learning about them—their interests, goals, values—so you can figure out if you really like who they are. A relationship might come later, but you're more focused on the person than a romanticized version of your future.

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It's Okay If You're Not Ready Now

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There are so many reasons why you might not be ready for a relationship at the moment, and all of those are valid. You might just need to give yourself some time or do some mental work in order to get to a place where you're truly ready.

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Maybe That Will Change...And Maybe Not

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Sure, you can become ready for a relationship over time. However, some people really do not need or want a romantic relationship in their life ever, and that's also a completely valid way to live.