Tonja Weimer asked: It happens at least once a week, and sometimes more. I can hear in the sound of their voices how lonely they are. People call and want to know how they can meet someone.
Talking with a guy yesterday, I heard what a lot of people say: “I’m single and I haven’t had a date in seven years.” (Some people say 10, 15, or 20.) “There’s no one to meet in this town. Everyone is married. People in this area of the country don’t ask you to do things. There aren’t any social events to go to. I can’t meet people at church because everyone here is a Presbyterian and I’m a Baptist.” (Or, it could be any number of other denominations.)
I know these reasons seem valid to the person saying them. Explanations and facts for not dating could go on for hours. Have you ever heard any of your friends justifying why they are still single? Or, have you heard yourself come up with your own reasons? If you have, you may want to think about what issues are holding you back before you develop strategies to date.
Here are some of the main reasons people can’t meet someone:
LonelinessThe guy who called yesterday said what many others have said: “I’m lonely and I’d like to have someone to do things with.” If you have no friends to go out with to movies or dinner or ball games, of course you’re lonely. Before you look for a romantic mate, you need to discover how to make
friend mates. If you do not have friends, you will not be successful in meeting or sustaining a love relationship. It takes the same skill sets to find friends that it takes to find a date. Start going places now, practice being friendly, and encourage conversations and friendships.
AttitudeSome people have an attitude of hopelessness thicker than a Giant Sequoia. The more you try to whittle any of it away, the more they fight to hang onto it. The guy who says he wants to meet someone also says, “I’ve tried everything. There’s nothing left to do.” Note: I promise you, there is ALWAYS something left to do.
He is invested in proving himself right. Other guys in the same predicament also say things like, “Women only want a guy with money. They only want tall guys. They want a guy with hair. They only want a doctor. They want someone from a big city, etc. etc.”
If this attitude is also your issue, when you stack up enough reasons, you don’t have to get serious and work at it. You don’t have to look at what you could improve, and you don’t have to take any responsibility for your happiness. Unfortunately you also don’t get to be—in a relationship.
FinancesIf I ask you if you are financially stable enough to help take care of a wife, and perhaps a family, and if you say, “Not right now,” it’s time to pause in your dating ambitions. If you are living at your mother’s house and don’t have a job, you have a bigger problem than not being able to find a date. Women today are like guys today in the area of finances. They want someone who can take care of himself, is financially solvent, and is someone
she doesn’t have to take care of. She’s not looking for a guy who wants a free ride. It may be true that some women want rich men, but research shows that most women want a guy that they feel chemistry for, has a good career, a sense of humor, and shares their values. She wants a stand up guy she can trust.
What can you do if you are lonely and don’t know how to get a date?
Erase the old tapes that give you all the reasons for not dating. There ARE singles to meet, it DOES take work to find someone, and you CAN change your life. Nothing is hopeless and you deserve to love and be loved.
Get out and go places where you can meet friends, and eventually, dates. Can you smile and say hello? Can you ask people questions about themselves? Are you ready to find one new hobby where you could meet new people? Yes! You can do this.
Put your finances in order. If you don’t have a career, get in school. Find a counselor at the local college or adult high school to get you started. In the meantime, pay off your debts and live
below your means. A good person will respect you for that.
Are you lonely? Hanging out at the same bar won’t do it. Classes, lessons, hobbies, sports and self-growth venues will. Get started now.
You don’t have to be lonely tonight. With 110 million singles in the U.S.A., you have a “few” choices. When you handle some of the above, you can find the one meant for you.
Tonja Evetts Weimer, M.A., is a Master Certified Single’s Coach and Life Coach. You can contact her at 864-294-9494, email tonja@tonjaweimer.com or visit www.singlesdatingtips.com.
Catherine