Signs you’ve been single for too long

WHETHER you’re rocking to I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross, Single Ladies by Beyoncé, or TLC’s No Scrubs, the fact is, enjoying those hits is an indication that you may be single, and from your solo point of view, you’re making demands for the next guy who may be brave enough to step up to the plate.

But there comes a point when the tables may turn and your actions could hint that you’ve been single for far too long. Below, Denecia Green, author of Lies, Sex and Betrayal, shares some signs that you may have been single for too long.

1. You begin to date men who are obviously ineligible

Green says when you have lowered your standards and will settle for just about anyone even when you think they are unattractive, have a distasteful personality, and are simply incompatible with you, but you opt to date them anyway for the sake of companionship, you may have been single for too long and feel your options are running out.

2. You search your past for closure

“If you find yourself going through old photos of previous exes, reminiscing on what could have been, blaming yourself for the relationship failing, or worst-case scenario, you know your ex physically repulses you but you convince yourself that maybe it could have worked if you closed your eyes or focused on other factors and gave it a second try, you know you have definitely been single for too long,” Green said.

3. When you constantly fantasise about random guys

Green says if you find yourself dreaming about random guys routinely, trying desperately to create the image of a perfect husband, and even start amusing yourself by doing this, then you need to get back on the dating scene. “In some instances, you may even begin to fantasise about the same sex and you begin to question your own sexuality. This is a clear indicator that you need to get back in the game.”

4. You don’t realise when someone is flirting with you

Green says it becomes evident you’ve been out of the game too long when you are unable to remember what flirting looks like, or there may be instances where you have detected the suggestive remarks but then may come on too strong or fail to respond accordingly.

5. You don’t own a pair of matching underwear sets or negligee

If your undergarments and nightwear are lacking in the sexy category and it doesn’t even faze you, and you are completely comfortable with whatever mismatched monstrosity stares back at you in the mirror, you’ve been single for too long.

6. You’re accustomed to being a perpetual third wheel around your coupled-up friends

If you have no issues going on dates with your coupled-up friends and sticking out like a sore thumb when you can’t contribute to their conversations about relationships or what their significant others do, then you have been single for too long.