How long to wait before dating again?

[TooSoon?]

Two weeks ago, I broke up with my girlfriend of 4 1/2 years (OK, technically she broke up with me, but I didn't exactly resist the idea). We've had problems for a while and I've been emotionally detatching myself from her for the past 6 months or so. Now that it's finally over, I do feel some sadness, but most of all, I actually feel relief. I also feel like I'm ready to date again. Some people have told me that I'm crazy to want to start dating right away, that I should take some time off to mourn and recover. Once person even told me that it was disrespectful to my ex that I date someone new right away. I'm 30 years old, though, and I don't want to waste any more time than I have to before finding someone who might be "The One". I even have an idea of who I would like to ask out.

 

So should I wait before dating again, and if so, how long?

[DonTomaso]

If you feel like you are ready to date again, go for it. It's your life. But just be compassionate to your ex if you talk to her.

[just_bella]

Dating too soon after a break up can sometimes lead to a rebound relationship. Sometimes

 

out of respect for your past relationship you should wait atleast a month or so before

 

dating again. But that is my opinion. We all mourn differently and sometimes we feel

 

that we are ready to move on. Maybe we are or maybe we aren't. I know from my situation

 

that allowing my self to be single is the best thing. Just like you, I am recently single again

 

after 4 yrs. And speaking from myself, I love just being myself and not being someone's gf.

 

After 4.5 yrs, maybe just enjoy being yourself without thinking about being involved with any

 

person so soon afterwards. I know dating again seems like the easiest way to move on.

 

Okay, you are 30 yrs old and your clock is ticking....just ask your lady friend for something in

 

a nondating way. See if she would like to have lunch or coffee. Just be friends first. And if it

 

develops into something then you didn't do it in a disrespectful way.

[sarah12]

I agree with just_bella. I was recently the new girl in a relationship with a guy who had a long term ex, with a relationsihp that ended much the same way yours did. However, we both know we have feelings for each other, but it has not worked out for the time being because he thought he was ready to date, but was not. He needed time for himself for a while. It doesn't hurt to take a little time off..trust me, it's better than putting someone else through hurt later on.