 Have you ever heard of the transactional analysis theory? No? Well, you know the saying, necessity is the mother of all invention? Psychologist Eric Byrne certainly thought the same could be said about our relationships. His theory is founded on the idea that all relationships are transactional, and that we only form bonds with people we believe can give us something we want, or satisfy some need for us. Most people would agree that to a certain degree, Byrne's ideas are true. After all, we all want something from the people around us, and our significant others are no exception. We enter romantic relationships with a certain set of expectations, and when the relationship is no longer meeting those expectations and satisfying us in the ways that we need, we end it. Seems simple enough, right? So why don't we apply those ideas to ourselves, and assess if we're able to meet the traits and characteristics that are essential to fostering a close and meaningful relationship? Here are five telltale signs that can help you figure out if you're ready to date. A fresh start. First and foremost, it's important that you're in the right headspace for a new relationship. Ideally, you should let go of any emotional baggage related to your past relationships, and ex-partners, or at least try your best too. So don't start dating if you're still hung up on someone else. No matter how long it takes, only date when you've moved on from the worst of your heartbreak, and are ready for a fresh start. Are you able to get excited about the possibilities of your romantic future? If yes, then the time may be right for you to start dating again. Learning from the Past A 2011 study by Shulman and Kipnis talks about the importance of emotional maturity in successful romantic relationship outcomes, using content analysis and how it differentiates adolescent from young adult relationships. Similar to the earlier point, you know you're ready to start dating again when you've made peace with the past and learned from it, because otherwise, if you keep rushing head first into new romances without fully processing your feelings, you're just gonna keep making the same mistakes with someone else. So look back on your previous relationship and be honest with yourself about why it didn't work, and what you can do to make things better with future partners. If you find this video relatable and helpful, please give the video a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel. Now, moving on to the next point. Honoring your wants and needs Do you know what it is you're looking for in a partner, or wanting out of a relationship? What are your needs, beliefs, and values? Do you know yourself well enough to honor your wants and needs as a romantic partner? Once you're able to answer yes to all of these questions, then you're definitely in the right emotional space to start dating. In fact, studies even show that a lack of self-awareness and values clarification was one of the most common reasons why couples break up. Genuine Curiosity Many psychologists agree that in order to truly fall in love with someone, we first need to know them well. For example, Sternberg, 1986, in his Triarchic Theory of Love, where he talks about the importance of mutual knowledge and emotional intimacy as a component of love. So feeling genuine curiosity about other people is a good sign that you're ready to date. Do you want to spend more time around potential romantic partners? Do you spend your dates wanting to know more about the other person than talking about yourself? All of these are good signs that show that you're feeling a connection toward someone else and eager to see where it goes. Investing in yourself It's important to understand that although dating can feel a lot like a thrilling and fun adventure most of the time, it also requires a lot of time and energy. So if you're aware of this and already working to invest more in yourself now that you're single, for example, more quality time with yourself, more self-care, an act of self-love, prioritizing your own needs, then you're definitely on the right path. Making an effort to balance the time and energy you spend on yourself just as much as you do with others shows emotional maturity. And that's arguably the most important quality to have when you start dating. So, Psych2Goers, do you relate to any of the things we've mentioned here? As learning about all these points made you eager to start dating again and more confident about your chances of success. Let us know in the comments which point resonated with you the most and how you knew you were ready to start dating again. Are you looking for a cuddly companion that brings positivity and mental wellness to your daily life? Get your very own sigh. The lovable plushie is here to brighten your days. 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