Quiz: Ready to date again?

Jane Hoskyn | Monday 07 January | 11:53

Ready?

We all know that the best way to get over a break-up is to meet someone new. But it's never quite that simple, is it? Is the ghost of your ex still haunting your life, or are you ready to move on? Take this quick test to find out...

The ghost of your ex can feel like an intruder sitting on your shoulder, making you worry that you’ll be dumped again, influencing your choice of subsequent partner and – the worst – coming up in conversation on a date. Is the ghost of your ex still haunting your life, or are you ready to move on and date again? Take this quick test to find out if your ready to start dating again…

Join now and start meeting singles near you for fun or love

1. You’re wandering around town and you see a couple snogging on a park bench. You think…

a. Aw, that’s so sweet. Love is a beautiful thing… OK, well, lust is a beautiful thing.

b. Get a room.

c. You and your ex used to do that, once…

2. You’ve reached the end of a great first date with someone who seems really nice. On your way home, you get a text saying they’d like to see you again. How do you feel?

a. Delighted that it went well, and excited about getting to know them better.

b. Flattered, but wary – you say out loud on the bus: “don’t mess this one up”. Everyone turns round to look.

c. Mixed feelings. Every time you hear the “text beep” you can’t help hoping it’s your ex.

3. You’re on your third date with someone you’re getting to like. You and your ex’s “our song” comes on the jukebox. You…

a. Don’t notice.

b. Are initially on your guard, but you quickly realise that you’re more interested in the person sitting in front of you.

c. Excuse yourself and sit silently in a loo cubicle for the next five minutes, not coming out until you’re sure the song has finished. Then you order a double vodka.

4. You’re chatting on the phone with your best mate. You…

a. Get all excited about the party you’re both going to next week.

b. Bombard your friend with questions so that they don’t have the chance to ask you about your lovelife.

c. Read out your ex’s last email and speculate about what it “means”.

5. You hear about a big new art exhibition opening in town. You think…

a. Fantastic – must get some friends over there to check it out.

b. Shame there’s no-one special in your life to take there.

c. How much your ex would have loved to see it.

6. You’re out for the evening and bump into your ex, who‘s with a group of friends. How do you react?

a. You stop for a chat to find out how everyone’s doing, then go on your way.

b. You try to avoid eye contact – but when they spot you, you nervously say hello and get away as quickly as possible. Phew!

c. Hide immediately, making sure you can see your ex but they can’t see you. Then you go home for a quick cry.

7. You’re scrolling through the profiles on a dating website. The people who catch your eye…

a. Aren’t really a “type”, they’re just the ones you happen to fancy. Got to keep an open mind – you never can tell until you meet, right?

b. Are nothing like your ex.

c. Are very few and far between, because none of them is like your ex.

What your answers mean…

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mostly a: Get out there – you’re more than ready!

 

You’re at the perfect stage to find a new relationship. The past is the past – it’s all gone towards making you the person you are now, but you’re not yearning to go back there. Of course there are moments when you get a bit wistful about past relationships, but you have a fresh, optimistic attitude and you’re neither looking for a clone of your ex nor scared that history will repeat itself. You’re also happy to stay single for a while, rather than assuming that you’re only a worthy human being if you’re part of a couple. Get out there, go on dates, meet new people and enjoy them, but also enjoy your friends and your own company.

 

 

Mostly b: You’re ready enough to give dating a try

 

Many would say that you must wait until you’re 100% over someone before you start dating again, but that’s just not realistic for all of us. You can’t sit indoors until enough months or years have passed – you need to get out there. What’s more, meeting someone new is often the best way to get over an ex – and you can’t do that until you start dating again. So it’s worth giving it a try. If you find dating too painful, and you catch yourself mentioning your ex on a date, then you’re not ready. Go out with your friends, enjoy your own company, wait a little longer and don’t be rushed into being part of a couple again. You’re a whole person, not an unattached half of a whole.

 

 

Mostly c: You’re not ready yet

 

Don’t even think about dating again if you answered “c” to more than half of these questions. You may not be together any more, but psychologically you’re still living and sleeping with your ex. Going out with someone new is unfair to the new person, and unfair to you – because it’s not going to work out, and you’ll be left feeling terrible. Yes, you probably hate being single, but take a look around and notice all the cool, happy single people out there. At the moment you’re only noticing the couples! Enjoy being yourself and being sociable, and only then can you think about saying “yes” to a date.

 

Join now and start meeting singles near you for fun, love or romance