Katambe
How have you handled being single, when you've been single, and looking for a relationship?
Like trying to make sure you don't make the wrong decisions just because you don't want to be single, being comfortable being single as you meet new people and the like.
In today's world we put so much emphasis and pressure on one person, which is the person we would be in a relationship with. My perspective is that we can nourish and nurture connection within our friendships - care, engaging conversations, sharing challenges and celebrations. When we live in this way, someone coming into a relationship with us fits into what and who we already are and vice versa rather than the expectation that this one person creates this for you. Of course you then spend more time together, influence each other's perspectives and growth and merge into each other's interests when in a relationship, but in the meantime, use the time to grow other friendships, pursue creative activities, mingle in organized group activities, develop yourself professionally, and let this relationship find you in motion with your life, as it sure will! :) The second thing I would say, is also use this time to reflect on past relationships - why they worked or did not and why is this coming relationship important to you, what exactly do you want from it and what are your honest expectations? What are your expectations of yourself in a relationship? How does this compare to your learnings from previous relationships? This way, when you meet someone new, to avoid, as you referenced, making a wrong decision, you can see if your values and aspirations for a relationship are aligned. Having said this, relationships are also a form of exploration and they can last for a reason only, for a season or for a lifetime - and we wouldn't know unless we tried - within a mutually respectful form of exploration.