You’ve heard it before – good things come to those who wait. But, the struggle of waiting for Mr. Right is real!

You want that special someone, yet the dating world seems full of Mr. Wrongs and Mr. Right-Now-But-Probably-Nots.

I get it, waiting is hard, but it’s so necessary to be patient. Patience is not just about waiting, it’s also about how you wait. It takes strength and self-control to resist the temptation of settling for someone who isn’t right for you.

But by being patient, you are setting yourself up for a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship with someone who truly deserves you.

With that said, here are some tips to really help you make the most of the time before your perfect match comes along!

1. Put Yourself Out There (But Not Too Much)

Staying at home and scrolling through social media is tempting. It’s easy and comfortable. But here’s the thing: your soulmate isn’t going to magically appear on your couch while you’re mindlessly swiping. If you really want to find that special someone, you’ve got to put yourself out there.

When your friends invite you out, say yes! Even if you don’t feel like getting dressed up and going out, do it anyway. You never know who you might meet. And don’t be afraid to try a dating app or two. Just don’t overdo it and get overwhelmed by having twenty different conversations going at once.

The beauty is, your soulmate could show up when you least expect it. It might be someone who doesn’t fit your usual “type” at all. So keep an open mind! The person you’re meant to be with could come in a package you’d never imagined. But you’ll never know unless you start getting out there and mixing it up.

Also one of the low-key benefits of getting back into the dating game is that it really helps you get crystal clear on what you’re actually looking for in a partner. When I decided to put myself out there again, hoping to finally meet my forever person – spoiler alert, I totally did and we’re married now!

But getting to that point of just going on casual dates here and there was so eye-opening. Each new guy helped me check off more boxes of what I loved in a man, but also what traits just weren’t going to fly for me long-term. It was like my non-negotiables just got clearer and clearer with each experience, good or bad.

I started getting so intentional about envisioning the total package – looks, values, communication style, ambition, you name it. If something was a turnoff on a date, I took note. And anytime a guy had a quality that really resonated with me, it went straight onto my mental list.

By the time I met my now-husband, I was just laser-focused on my criteria. Going on dates helped me get way more discerning about what I deserved in a partner. So don’t get discouraged by the duds! Each one is teaching you something about yourself.

This leads me nicely on to the next point, which is to…

2. Get Clear on What You Really Want

Finding “the one” isn’t as easy as romantic comedies make it seem. It’s not just about locking eyes across a crowded room and feeling an instant spark. If you really want a deep, lasting connection, you’ve got to do some serious soul-searching first.

Get honest with yourself – what core values are non-negotiable for you? The kind of fundamentals you absolutely won’t budge on, no matter what. And then there are the nice-to-haves – qualities that would be great, but aren’t deal-breakers if they’re absent.

Figuring out that line in the sand upfront is crucial. Otherwise, you might get swept up with someone who checks all the superficial boxes, but clashes with you on the stuff that really matters long-term.

You’ll also want to leave just a little wiggle room. Your soulmate probably won’t be a 100% perfect human specimen who ticks every single box on your criteria list. Maybe he’s a few inches shorter than your ideal, or comes from a totally different cultural background than you pictured.

The key is prioritizing the big, make-or-break things that will really impact your compatibility and happiness years down the road. A little flexibility on the smaller details could actually open your eyes to an amazing partner you might’ve overlooked otherwise.

3. Figure out past dating mistakes

Another way to get crystal clear on what you actually want in a partner? Take a hard look back at your relationship history.

I mean really examine it – the good, the bad, and the ugly. What kinds of qualities or behaviours did your exes have that just didn’t work for you long-term? Maybe they started out charming but got all controlling or emotionally distant down the line. Or maybe you always felt a bit unfulfilled because your ambitions or values around family weren’t lining up.

Digging into those patterns from your past can be tough, but it’s so valuable. Once you get honest with yourself about the red flags or dealbreakers you’ve experienced, you can be way more intentional about breaking those cycles. It opens you up to finally finding a relationship that’s fulfilling on the deepest level.

No more wasting time on situations that leave you feeling drained or unsupported. You’ll have clarity on what you’re really looking for in a partner – the type of human who will make you feel loved, safe, and like you’re truly thriving together long-term. That’s what we’re all craving at the end of the day, right?

4. Be the Best Possible Version of Yourself

You know that old saying, “You can’t love somebody else until you love yourself”? Well, there’s a lot of truth to that. This is the perfect time for some serious self-discovery and growth.

Think about it – if you want to attract an amazing partner someday, don’t you owe it to yourself (and them!) to work on becoming the best version of you? Mr. Right is going to be drawn to someone who has their stuff together and is comfortable in their own skin.

So use this chance to really get to know yourself. Do things that light you up and make you feel alive – read some thought-provoking books, pick up a new hobby, volunteer for causes you care about.

Put effort into your physical and mental health too. When you prioritize wellness and take pride in how you look and feel, that inner glow and confidence becomes magnetic.

At the end of the day, the healthiest, longest-lasting relationships happen when two whole, grounded people come together.

Stay focused on levelling yourself up, and the right person will be drawn to the total package when the time is right.

5. Enjoy the Freedom of Being Single

I know it can be really tempting to get down about being single, especially if it feels like everyone around you is coupled up. But instead, try to embrace the freedom and perks that come with this chapter.

You’ve got zero obligations or compromises to make for another person right now. Your time and energy is 100% yours to invest in your dreams, hobbies, friendships, career goals – whatever lights you up! You can be deliciously selfish without any guilt.

When was the last time you stayed out too late just because you felt like it? Booked a trip on a whim? Spent an entire weekend bingeing Netflix in your PJs? Enjoy those little everyday indulgences to the fullest right now and soak up the simplicity while you’ve got it. One day you might really miss this freedom.

6. Avoid the Jerks, Wait for Mr. Right

Being single can really make you start questioning yourself sometimes. Like, is it just me? Am I being too picky? It’s so tempting to think about lowering your standards, just to find someone, anyone.

But listen, you’ve got to resist that urge. You deserve to be cherished and adored for the amazing person you are – quirks, imperfections, and all. Don’t waste your time on people who can’t see how incredible you are or who make you feel less-than. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Keep holding out for someone who is genuinely caring, respectful, and worthy of your love. Someone who uplifts you and makes you feel like the badass woman you are.

Compromising on what you need and want in a partner is just going to lead to heartache down the road.

Don’t accept anything less than someone who lights up your world. It’s better to be single and blessed than stuck in a situation with someone who can’t fully appreciate the prize they have in you!

When you do finally meet that person who just gets you, you’ll be so grateful you didn’t settle.

7. Let Life’s Plan Unfold, He’s On His Way

As frustrating as the dating game can be sometimes, you’ve got to trust the process. Have a little faith that the universe/God/whatever higher power you believe in has got your back. The guy for you is out there, and when the timing is just right, you’ll find each other.

I know it’s easy to get discouraged, especially after a string of dead-end relationships or terrible first dates.

But don’t let it shake you! Keep believing in yourself and your ability to manifest what you want in a partner.

Keep doing your thing and putting that fantastic energy out into the world. Have patience, and most of all, trust.

Your forever person is out there. And when you least expect it, you’ll suddenly just know – like oh, there you are. It will all make sense when the timing is finally right.

And what if Mr. Right doesn’t seem to come along? Is it better to settle for someone who is just “good enough”? The answer is no.

Like I said earlier, you’ve got to say no to settling. Yes, it may bring temporary comfort, but in the long run, you’ll always wonder if there could have been something more.

Loving yourself is what matters most. You are enough, with or without Mr. Right…