Why You Should Get Back Out There

Most of us have suffered heartbreak. Getting past it can feel overwhelming, but it's necessary to moving on. But what happens when your heart has broken one too many times? When you just want to throw in the towel and opt to live your life on your own, unencumbered by relationships that only lead to disappointment?

Many of us feel that way at some point in our dating lives. Maybe you've had a string of bad first dates, and it's enough to make you want to quit. Or maybe you haven't been on a date since your last boyfriend who broke up with you a year ago, and instead have holed yourself up in your apartment, comfortably isolated. This way, you don't have to try only to be disappointed again.

While we're all different and we handle our dating lives differently, I firmly believe that in order to move on and have happier love lives, we have to keep taking risks. Even when we want to stop trying. The thing is, life is about relationships. Some are lasting and others aren't, but we can't move on to a happy, long-lasting romantic relationship if we don't even try.

Following are some reasons why you should get back out there:

It's courageous to take risks. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as the saying goes. If you don't take a chance and put yourself back out there, you guarantee that your love life will remain as it is now. Being courageous counts.

You can practice your dating skills. Are you feeling a bit rusty? There's nothing wrong with that. The more you can practice, the better you'll get at spotting the good ones, flirting, and having fun.

You'll learn more about your preferences. If you have strict criteria when it comes to your dates, meeting more people will help you to differentiate what's really important to you. If you seem to keep falling for the same type of woman, dating a different type will help you discover other attributes to seek.

You'll move past your fear. To realize what we want in life, we have to move past our fears. Obviously, you won't be able to find a great relationship by hiding from opportunities to meet people. Accept invitations, introduce yourself to new people, and socialize. This is really what it means to "put yourself out there"...it means being vulnerable and opening yourself up to new relationships. The more you practice, the better you get at it.

You're worth it. And love is worth it. Once you find it, no matter how long it takes you, you'll be glad you did. So keep searching and trying. Otherwise, you'll never know who you could have met!