The first and most important relationship you will ever have throughout your life is your relationship with yourself. How you feel and care for your mind, body and spirit sets the stage for all relationships outside of yourself – with your partner, family, friends and colleagues.

Relationship preparation is a key factor in determining whether or not a relationship is likely to last. A 2019 study found that when people feel ready to enter into a relationship, that relationship is 25% less likely to end. We asked experts to tell us the signs, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that indicate someone loves themselves enough to maintain a relationship.

Here are 25 signs you’re ready for a relationship:

1. You know what you want in a like-minded partner

When you have the uplifting energy of self-love and acceptanceit’s easy to magnetically attract a like-minded partner who not only loves each other, but who is emotionally available, interested without being selfish, and ready for happy, healthy, whole love.

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2. You complement each other

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You know you’re ready for a relationship when you don’t need someone else to “complete” you – you’re a whole person, looking for another complete person. You don’t need a relationship to feel happy and worthy.

Instead, you want a relationship to share your love and, most importantly, loving yourself and sharing your love is more important than having control over getting love. When you want a relationship to deepen your growth rather than fill your void, you’re ready.

3. You won’t settle for conditional love

As humans, we are ready to love when we realize we deserve to receive unconditional love from a partner. Of course, you are mature enough to know that this does not mean that you can mistreat your partner and deliberately abuse them by taking advantage of their love. Likewise, you are ready to give love without any conditions.

4. You realize there is nothing “wrong” with you

You realize that there is nothing wrong with you, that you are not broken, and that you do not need to be fixed. The secret to love is found in self-acceptance and shining the light of love on those dark places within us.

5. You don’t seek constant distractions

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You are not afraid to be alone – even in silence. You enjoy spending time alone and don’t need the TV on or the phone glued to your head. You can be alone with yourself and feel content and at peace.

6. You don’t wait for someone else to save you

One is ready to demonstrate healthy, lasting love when one can completely let go of the wish that another could “save” or “heal” one. The ability to be there for yourself and provide self-love unconditionally and abundantly is a sign that one is fully ready for intimacy. This state of openness to both giving and receiving love in a pure and authentic way is not weighed down by the notion of healing wounds through external and superficial means.

7. You honor who you are and where you are

When you understand and honor who you are, where you are, and how you do the best with what you have, and why it is a powerful truth to discover and fully accept.

8. You threw away your checklist

People are ready to love when they don’t have a rigid set of expectations and a long list of must-haves and deal-breakers. They just want to find someone compatible to love and share their life with.

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9. You are okay with being single

If you can honestly say, “I’m okay with or without a relationship,” then you’re ready to have one! You are ok, be single – not resigned or defeated, but in a comfortable and fulfilled sense. It’s more about having a deep understanding of who you are, your purpose, and understanding that while you desire love, you won’t allow yourself to be unhappy based on the state of your relationship.

10. You canceled the search

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The adage is true: the person most ready for love is the one who has stopped actively pursuing it. Instead, they focused on developing their skills, passions, and happiness. After all, a person who is confident, grounded, and enjoys a variety of interests is extremely attractive to a potential partner.

11. You want a relationship, but you don’t need one

Someone is ready to love when they want it but don’t need it. It’s the best place to be: wanting a relationship, believing it would be great, but not needing it for your happiness. Being truly happy without it is often the quickest way to make it a reality.

12. You naturally display your smile

Notice the next time you see your reflection. No matter what you wear or how well your hair is (or not), do you notice yourself smiling?

When you find yourself smiling more than making excuses or passing judgment, you know you accept yourself unconditionally and are willing to do the same for another. Not to mention how appealing a smile is to everyone around you, especially to a potential romantic interest.

13. You own your energy

You know you’re a match for your loved one when you move through your day invigorated by your energy and enthusiasm, whether you have a partner or not. You are looking for it from within. Yes, they will be irresistibly attracted to your beauty, your scent and your nectar, but you are the beautiful flower.

14. You finished your last relationship, once and for all

All remnants of anger and resentment are gone and you have forgiven not only your ex but also yourself. Being angry with yourself is a clear sign that you are not ready to move forward.

You’ll know you’re ready to put yourself out there and date again when you can think about your ex with neutrality, compassion, and understanding – especially if you barely think about it and find yourself thinking, “I’m ready to continue my life.”

15. You are willing to take the risk that it won’t work

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A person ready to experience true intimacy is aware of the risks and uncertainty that come with falling in love. They know the relationship will grow and evolve into something extraordinary…or not. Either way, this person understands that they will be better off since the love and support they have for themselves will always be there, no matter who else comes and goes.

16. You openly feel compassion and empathy

Once a person can see beyond their desires and must do what they want takes to make your partner happythey are well on their way to moving from “me” to “we.”

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17. You are confident in who you are as an individual

Self-confidence is the key to knowing you are ready to love (it’s also the most powerful aphrodisiac!). Having high self-esteem helps individuals adapt and succeed in various areas of life, research from 2022 confirms this.

When you are proud of yourself and are clear about your own worth, then you will be able to attract someone who respects and encourages you, creating the environment necessary for a healthy relationship.

18. You no longer experience feelings of emptiness and rejection

If you are looking for your partner to fill a void within you, you will always remain unsatisfied. True love is about accepting both your partner and yourself wholeheartedly. Dating is about finding your complementary partner, not your other half.

19. You are open-minded

You know you’re ready when you can step outside of your dating script and discover a romantic interest as if you were visiting an exotic country for the first time. Throw away what you know and be eager to explore, let yourself be in the moment and open yourself to the joys and challenges that a new relationship brings.

20. You are not afraid of vulnerability

A sign that you are ready to love is when you show courage. When you are willing to take an emotional risk, including accepting personal responsibility, love is in your future. It shows that you’re willing to do the emotional work to connect deeply with someone else and give them the opportunity to be vulnerable, too.

21. You are ready to build memories instead of walls

Someone is ready to love when they integrate their partner into their life after a few dates, rather than compartmentalizing dating activities and other aspects of their social life and time with friends and his family. Building memories by making plans involving your partner shows real long-term potential.

22. You can assert your needs

Another sign that a person is ready to have a healthy relationship is when they take a stand for what they want in a relationship – without getting attached to the other person’s response. You are open and honest about your needs and wants, rather than settling for those of your partner.

23. You embrace change and are willing to grow

We have established that you are ready to love when you accept yourself as you are, now, today – but you must also commit to exploring the as-yet-unknown growth and potential that awaits you – individually and in a relationship. . . Personal growth is a journey, not a destination.

24. You know your turn-ons

When you know what turns you onwhat pleases you, and you’re not afraid to seek it out and ask for it unapologetically, that’s a good sign that you’re ready to share your heart with someone else. The key is to recognize that you deserve pleasure whether you’re with someone or not, and to recognize that all types of sensual pleasure – the foods you eat, the smells around you, a cool shower from a hot day – are the fuel that keeps you vibrant and full of life.

25. You feel good about yourself

Kissing – inside and out – no matter what you wear, what kind of day you’re having, or who you’re with, including how much time you spend alone, is a sign that you’re officially ready to kiss another. fully.

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The YourTango Experts team includes licensed therapists, dating and life coaches, matchmakers, and other professionals committed to providing you with the tools and guidance needed for a happier, more fulfilling life.