How to Survive the Weekend When You’re Single

So, you’re single and you made it through this weekend. But are you already dreading spending this coming Friday or Saturday night fantasizing about what you would do with the partner that doesn’t yet exist? Well, maybe it’s time to reconsider the way you’ve been thinking about the weekends.

Yes, many couples make the most of their weekends together, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel left out. Be intentional about each weekend by planning ahead. Instead of waiting around and not having anything to do on the weekend or trying to come up with something last minute, change the game. What’s wrong with planning in advance which book or television series you’re going to catch up on? This is your time to pause, refresh, and unwind.

If you want to go out, you may want to get together with one of your friends. Sometimes, once you reach a certain age, your friendships change. In addition to coupled friends who have less time for you, you may find you have very few if any single friends left. Until you develop new friendships, go out alone.

Many singles feel stigma about going to places alone. Once you’ve considered any safety issues, it’s time to challenge yourself. Go to a movie or a live performance. If the idea of going out on a weekend night amidst couples is terrifying, start out by going to matinees. Some people might wonder what you’re doing alone, but so what? Let them wonder. Many of those same people (single or coupled) probably wish they had the courage to do things alone.

Now, I’m not promising that you won’t still feel pangs of sadness, concern, or frustration on the weekend if you’d sometimes prefer to be spending that time with a partner. These are typical responses which differ from depression, anxiety, or anger. And if you’re able to reconsider the way you think about the weekend, you may experience less of those devastating feelings.

What Major League Fishing Can Teach You About Dating

Has anyone ever told you not to worry about finding a mate because there are plenty of fish in the sea?  Well, what happens when the fish just aren’t that plentiful?

I found out while watching a Major League Fishing Championship. Here were the best anglers (fishermen) in the United States. They had top notch skills and the best boats, rods, and bait. Yet, before each fisherman selected a location to fish, he used a GPS fishing map to tell him if there were a decent amount of fish in the area.

I laughed out loud when one fisherman announced he was not going to waste his time in a particular area because there weren’t any fish there.  He moved to a location where the fish were more abundant.

Similar principles apply to dating. This is particularly the case for many professional Black women. The plain truth is that for a variety of reasons, compatible mates can be hard to find. All the preparation and self improvement in the world can’t make a suitable partner appear out of thin air. And yes, sometimes you may have to consider searching in different places or even moving.

So the next time someone tells you there are plenty of fish in the sea, you may want to consider if that’s really true.

In the meantime, enjoy this video of expert fishermen competing to advance to the 2015 Summit Cup: