So, you think you are ready for a relationship. But how can you really know? The truth is, you can’t ever know for sure. At least not 100 percent. You might think you are, and you are probably right!
If you are on the fence or doubting that all systems are a go on the romantic front, we have a checklist you can review to gauge how ready you are!
How Do I Know if I’m Ready for a Relationship?
Understanding when you’re truly ready for a new relationship is crucial for its success. Interestingly, a study found that feeling ready for a relationship actually makes it 25% more likely to last.
This sense of readiness doesn’t just affect the relationship’s chances of survival but also improves your overall happiness and well-being. When you feel more prepared and committed, your relationship is more likely to be stable and fulfilling.
Figuring out if you’re emotionally ready to get back into the dating world isn’t an easy decision—there’s always the fear of getting hurt—or hurt again, and love, by its nature, is a leap of faith. Even if you feel stronger and like your heartbreak has healed, the thought of starting a new relationship can still be frightening. And you don’t want to be in a rebound, right? Right.
When you’re looking at this checklist, keep in mind that it’s not about ticking every box on this list. These tips are just to guide you on your particular romantic path!
20 Signs You Are Ready for a Relationship
Got a pen and paper? Good. Let’s review the 20 signs that indicate you are ready for a relationship!
1. You Understand What You Want in a Partner
When you radiate self-love and acceptance, you tend to attract a partner who also values self-love. This person is emotionally available, caring in a way that’s not self-centered, and is prepared for a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
2. You Don’t Need No Man (or Woman)
Being ready for a relationship means recognizing that you don’t require someone else to fill a void in your life — you are already complete by yourself. You’re not seeking a relationship to gain happiness or worthiness.
Your desire for a relationship is about wanting to share the love you have, not about needing love from someone else.
Prioritizing self-love and the desire to share it over the need to receive love is key. When your motivation for a relationship is to enhance your personal growth rather than to alleviate loneliness, that’s when you know you’re really ready.
3. You Seek Unconditional Love
When you realize that you’re worthy of unconditional love from a partner, you know you’re ready for a real relationship. This doesn’t give you a free pass to treat your partner poorly or take their love for granted. In the same way, you’re also ready to give love generously without expecting anything in return.
4. You Accept Your Perfectly Imperfect Self
You’ve come to the realization that there’s nothing inherently wrong with you—you’re not a project that needs mending or a fixer-upper. Love happens when you accept yourself as you are and acknowledge and accept the less visible, more vulnerable parts of yourself.
5. You Like Your Own Company
You’re not afraid of being alone; in fact, you like moments of solitude and silence. You enjoy your own company, finding comfort without the need for constant background noise or being attached to your phone. There’s a sense of contentment and peace in just being by yourself.
6. You Are Your Own Hero
You’re set to enter a happy, healthy relationship when you’ve moved past the idea that someone else will “rescue” you. The moment you realize that you can provide yourself with unconditional love and support, you’re genuinely ready for a meaningful and intimate relationship.
7. You Love Yourself
You’ve hit a serious milestone when you start to genuinely appreciate who you are and where you’re at in life. Understanding that you’re doing the best you can with what you’ve got is a crucial and powerful self-recognition to fully embrace.
8. You’ve Tossed Your Old, Unrealistic List
You know you’re ready for real love when you no longer cling to a strict list of requirements and deal-breakers for a partner. Instead, you’re open to the idea of finding someone you simply click with, someone to love and build a life together with, without the pressure of perfection.
9. You’re Content With Being Single
Being genuinely okay with being single clearly indicates that you’re ready for a relationship. It’s not about feeling resigned or defeated, but rather being comfortable and fulfilled on your own. You have a strong sense of self and understand your purpose, and while you do desire love, your happiness isn’t dependent on your relationship status.
10. You’ve Stopped Actively Looking for Love
There’s truth in the saying that those most ready for love are the ones who aren’t desperately seeking it. Instead, they focus on cultivating their skills, passions, and personal happiness. A person who is confident, well-rounded, and passionate about their interests is super attractive to potential partners.
11. You’re Open to Love But Not Desperate For It
You know you’re in the right headspace for love when you see it as a lovely addition to your life, but not as a must-have for your happiness. You’re at your best when you want a relationship, knowing it would be great, yet also feel okay and happy on your own.
12. You’re Really Over Your Ex
You’re ready for a new relationship when any feelings of anger or resentment towards your ex or yourself have disappeared. You’ve reached a point of forgiveness, both towards them and yourself. The real sign of readiness is when you can think about your ex with a sense of neutrality, compassion, and understanding, or better yet when they rarely cross your mind at all.
13. You’re Brave Enough to Face Possible Heartbreak
When you’re ready for love, you understand that it’s a risk—the relationship might turn into something amazing or it might not last. But either way, you’re okay with it because you know that you’ll come out stronger, with the love and support you have for yourself as your North Star.
14. You Feel Whole All By Yourself
If you’re looking for a partner to fill some sort of void inside, you’ll always feel a little empty. Real love means accepting yourself and your partner completely. Dating should be about finding someone who adds to your life, not someone who is supposed to complete it.
15. You’re Open to New Experiences in Love
Being ready for love means being willing to throw out your old dating playbook and meet someone new with a fresh perspective, kind of like exploring a new destination. It’s about letting go of your past expectations and opening yourself up to a brand new adventure a relationship can bring.
16. Being Vulnerable Isn’t Intimidating
You’re ready for love when you can open up emotionally and own your feelings. It’s about being brave enough to do the emotional work to build a deep connection and inviting someone to be just as open and vulnerable with you.
17. You Ask for What You Want and Need
If you can stand up for your needs in a relationship without worrying too much about the other person’s reaction, it’s a sign you’re ready for something healthy. It’s about being honest and open about your wants and needs rather than constantly bending to accommodate your partner.
18. You Welcome Change and Personal Growth
Recognizing that you’re absolutely enough as you are today while also being open to the growth and possibilities ahead shows you’re ready for love. It’s understanding that growing, both individually and together, is a part of life.
19. You’re in Tune With All of Your Needs
Knowing what makes you happy and being unafraid to ask for it shows you’re ready to share your life with someone. It’s about acknowledging your right to pleasure—in all its forms, if you know what we mean *wink wink*) and understanding that these things keep you happy and fulfilled.
20. You Like Who You Are
When you’re comfortable in your own skin, no matter the situation or who you’re with, even when alone, it’s a strong indicator that you’re ready to embrace someone else in a relationship fully. Being at peace with yourself is a huge step in being ready to accept and love another person with all of your heart.
Takeaways
Even though a relationship isn’t your whole life, it certainly spreads through every part of it. You’ll start sharing your life with your friends, family, hobbies, and even pets. And they’ll get woven into the fabric of your world, too.
Sure, it’s good to have a bit of your own space, but really letting someone into your daily life shows how much you care and that you’re ready for a real commitment. You’re not just two people living side by side; you’re teammates, building a life together, bridge by bridge, instead of wall by wall.
But even more important than any checklist of relationship goals is that feeling you get deep down inside. It’s something only you can know–when the right time or person comes along, you’ll just feel ready to leave your single life behind and start a new chapter together.
But until that right person shows up, focus on yourself and keep finding your own happiness to share with them when they do finally appear.
When you’re ready, you’ll just feel it in your bones–we promise.
Ready to start a relationship? Why not try out one of our recommended top dating apps?
