BA50 TalkersWhatever your dating history, there comes a time in every single person’s life where they decide that actually, they’d quite like to be in a committed relationship. Whether you’ve had your fill of awkward silence filled dates or can’t stand the thought of having to tell someone you’re not interested – again! – these are just some of the signs that may be pointing you towards the path of settling down.
Wondering what signs to look out for? Here are just a few:
1. Your questions are getting a little more serious
You’re no longer asking what their favourite football team is or whether they prefer cats or dogs (though, don’t get us wrong, these are important questions) but instead asking where they see themselves career wise in a few years, if they want to buy a house and if they’ve ever thought about getting married.
2. You want someone to share special moments with
If milestone birthdays and work promotions aren’t feeling quite the same without someone special to share them with, then this is probably a sign you’re ready to settle down.
3. The qualities you look for have changed
If you don’t care about how late someone likes to party or whether they live close enough to walk to their house after a night out then this is a sign. In fact, research carried out by Legal & General discovered that after the Covid-19 lockdowns, many peoples’ desired qualities in a partner have changed. 47% of respondents in their survey chose loyalty as the most important value in a partner, suggesting that they’re done with the non-committal relationships many people enjoy while dating.
4. You’re thinking about big life milestones
It’s easy to get wrapped up in a daydream and if you’re mid-afternoon mind wanders are taking you to wedding aisles and baby names, maybe this is a sign that you’re ready to settle with someone new who also wants these things in the future. There’s no ‘right time’ to get married or have kids – people are doing these things later and later these days – but if you feel like you’re ready, it may be time to look for someone who you want to keep around.
5. You’ve become bored of your typical ‘type’
There’s no denying it, we all have a type. That bad boy. That girl who gyms. That guy who is great to spend the night with and not much else. But if you’re starting to find that you’re swiping left more and more on those profiles that would usually capture your interest, this could be a sign that you’re ready for someone new. It may take a while to find the right new ‘type’ to settle down with, but it’ll be worth it in the end if you decide to broaden your horizons.
6. You’re ready to be flexible for other people
Being single means you only need to worry about yourself, but settling down in a relationship requires a certain level of emotional maturity that you’ve perhaps not had before. If you think you’re ready to accommodate another person’s needs and feelings in your life, then it might be a sign you can handle a new relationship.