Are You Making Excuses Not to Date?

Adult life comes with many strains that we never anticipate in our youth. So, while being young and fancy free lends itself well to dating and romance, many of us often struggle to make time for love later in life—especially if we’re starting over or still seeking that perfect partner. Even if you have climbed the ladder of success, the view from up top can make leisure and free-time look pretty distant, and if you’ve got family responsibilities, the chance of meeting anyone new can seem bleak. But maybe it’s time to stop making excuses. Here are some of the most common:

"I’m concentrating on my career." Sure you are, and that’s something to be proud of, but will doing better professionally be enough to make up for feeling alone? Hiding behind a high-pressure job is one of the most common ways to deter our social lives, and we typically don’t even realise what we’re doing until it’s rather late in the game to change.

Children from a previous marriage. With divorce rates rising, everyday greets more single parents. Many single parents struggle to decide what is appropriate when it comes to dating again, especially around children. While having boundaries and empathy are essential in this situation, there is no reason to feel that you can’t expect to find love again some day. Rigid, self-imposed guidelines should never get in the way of the happiness of a family, yourself included.

Aging parents and sick family members. At some point it seems the caretaker/care receiver role reverses between parent and child and we all find ourselves worrying about the wellbeing of our elders. Running errands, checking in, and even loving anxiety are all burdens of the caretaker. Still, you ought to let these gestures of kindness fill you with love and a sense of purpose instead of getting weighed down in worry.

Personal Passions. Volunteer work, church, and even fitness goals can fill us up with personal pride and satisfaction. But if you have something that gives you a greater sense of purpose, why not invite someone special to share it with you? Passions and hobbies can also be a great way to meet new people.

If you find yourself making any of these excuses, consider this: there likely won’t be a better time for love—commitments will keep piling up and responsibilities won’t evaporate. The factor you can control is you and your priorities. If you’ve always imagined life with a companion, why not give yourself a fair shot at total happiness? Need help finding the time? Let the experts at TopMatch lend a hand.