Making time for romance
As winter sets in, it’s all too easy to begin mental preparations for hibernation. The excitement of summer also inevitably gives way to a routine that can seem difficult to break out of. Though it may be getting increasingly dark outside, it’s worth remembering that there are plenty of others seeking the bright lights and heady excitement of a new relationship. Making time for love may be a challenge, but its rewards are undeniably worth the effort.
Prioritise
Some things are more important than others, even if they don’t at first appear to be. Make a list of existing commitments and try ranking them according to their relative importance. This can help provide perspective – something that busy people often fail to appreciate. ‘If you try to make everything in life a high priority, you will feel stressed and overwhelmed,’ says Christi Youd, president of American Fork. She suggests that people use the process of prioritising to let go of time-consuming tasks that are placed on them by others.
Merge activities
Combining a hobby with the search for love can free up time. According to Kathleen Hall, the CEO of Atlanta’s Stress Institute, those with time issues should begin by asking themselves where they can go to meet the kind of person they want to date. ‘Volunteer for an organisation you are passionate about,’ she suggests. ‘Discover a yoga or meditation studio. Attend a lecture series at a local university or take a class in painting, drawing or writing. This plan creates play and relaxation time woven into meeting new dating prospects.’
Order
Those with limited time need to structure their lives to make the search for a partner more effective. Make a list of possible opportunities and work them into your schedule. While there are many ways to meet people, some are more suitable than others. For example, in a busy and anonymous metropolis such as London online dating is an invaluable tool.
Assess your network
Forming a romantic relationship can be difficult when your social network is too large. Spending all your free time with tight-knit groups of friends is unlikely to lead to new relationships. Though it may be less fun and slightly more awkward, consider devoting more social time to relatively new acquaintances that are likely to introduce you to new people.
Balance
Don’t be tempted to go from one extreme to another. Any time devoted to building relationships needs to be sustainable – there’s little point creating a relationship if there’s no time to keep it going. Start by dedicating small chunks of time to relationship building. For example, spend an hour a week on a dating site. Add small increments of time until a harmonious balance is reached between all competing commitments.