When people are ready for relationships, they genuinely want to share love and give attention. They see relationships as a partnership, not just a source of validation or comfort.
Usually, such people value bringing emotional stability to the relationship. . They understand their needs and values and can communicate them clearly without fear of rejection. They don’t seek a partner to “complete” them but to grow and share life with.
Take our relationship readiness test to check out whether you’re ready for commitment and building healthy, fulfilling connections.
“Are you ready for a relationship?” quiz
Please choose one answer to each question. Then, tally up your points and proceed to the results.
1. When you imagine your future relationship, what excites you most?
- Having the opportunity to grow together both individually and as a couple. (1 point)
- Having someone who can offer you emotional support. (2 points)
- The fact that I won’t need to worry about being alone anymore. (3 points)
2. What does love mean to you?
- Mutual respect, trust, and shared experiences. (1 point)
- Feeling needed and loved by someone. (2 points)
- Intense emotions, passion, and continuous attention. (3 points)
3. When was the last time you felt really happy?
- I can make myself happy no matter whether I’m single or in a relationship. (1 point)
- I feel happy when I’m with someone I care about. (2 points)
- I don’t really remember feeling genuinely happy by myself. I feel happier in a relationship almost always or always. (3 points)
4. How do you react when someone sets a boundary with you?
- I respect it and try to understand the person’s needs. (1 point)
- I can’t deny that I feel a little rejected. Still, I accept it. (2 points)
- I take it personally and feel hurt. Sometimes, I think that a person doesn’t really care about me. (3 points)
5. How do you tend to handle being attracted to someone outside your relationship?
- This might happen to anyone. I usually analyze what my relationship lacks and focus on my commitment. (1 point)
- I question whether I’m truly satisfied with my relationship. I think, “Am I ready to date another person? What if that other person might be a better choice?” (2 points)
- I can flirt and keep the door open for possibilities. It’s just harmless fun! (3 points)
6. How do you know when a relationship is worth fighting for?
- When we both want to grow together and are ready to change and listen to each other. (1 point)
- When I still have strong feelings, even if things aren’t working. Maybe we’ll fix them somehow. (2 points)
- When I can’t imagine being alone again, it’s better to stay with anyone than experience loneliness. (3 points)
7. If a relationship ends, how do you handle it?
- I grieve and feel sad in the beginning. But then I reflect on what I’ve learned and strive to move forward. (1 point)
- I feel lost and stuck in the past. I usually tend to overthink what happened and feel guilty. (2 points)
- I try to win this person back, as I feel lonely. If it doesn’t work, I replace them as quickly as possible. (3 points)
Am I ready for a relationship? Results & tips
Let’s proceed to clues and ideas. Whether you’re all in, feeling unsure, or realizing you need more time, we’ve got tips to help you move forward. Let’s break it down and see what’s next for you.
7-11 points
It seems like you’re ready to build trusting and committed relationships.
You’ve gained some valuable insights from the past and have opened your heart for the future. It looks like you are ready to offer valuable assets to your partner — like love, attention, and commitment — while still maintaining your independence. You understand that a healthy relationship is about giving and receiving in balance, not just relying on a partner to fulfill your needs.
Tip. Don’t give up, and keep searching for the right person. You can visit some places where like-minded people gather, try new activities, or even explore dating apps — just stay true to your values and needs. You show the signs that you’re ready for a relationship. So, the right connection will come when you look for it with intention and patience.
12-17 points
You understand what makes a healthy relationship, but sometimes insecurities or unfulfilled emotional needs can still affect how you approach love.
Of course, you may try searching for your ideal partner right now. Still, according to the results of the “Am I ready to date?” quiz, it’s better to pay attention to your inner world and strengthen some areas.
While working on self-reflection, you might face questions like, “How to be emotionally available?” or “Why do I feel so lonely without a partner?” Exploring them can help you build a deeper understanding of yourself.
Tip. To find a person who matches your values and can build fulfilling relationships with you, it may be better to continue focusing on improving your emotional resilience. Take the time to explore what you truly need in a partner and in your life. When you’re clear about your values, you’ll be better equipped to look for the right person.
18-21 points
Your results of the “Am I ready for a relationship?” quiz suggest that what you seek in relationships might be more about emotional dependence than true love.
It seems like you may find it challenging to differentiate limerence vs. love and fall for people because of a constant need for reassurance rather than because of sincere feelings. While limerence feels intense, it’s not something that lasts. Or you may be seeking someone who can fulfill all needs in life. True love, however, is built on trust, respect, and emotional stability, which may be difficult for you to reach if you don’t change the strategy.
Tip. Analyze what inner problems you try to solve by building relationships. You might feel lonely, need someone to rely on, look for validation, or want to replace your ex. This self-reflection will help you understand what aspects of your personality are better to work on. Once you acknowledge that you’re enough, it will be much easier to meet the right person.
7 signs you ready for a relationship
Do you want to learn more about love life? Save the following checklist, as it will help you understand “Am I ready to date again?” along with the quiz provided before.
1. You want to share love. It isn’t about running from inner fears
The top reason Americans get married is to commit to each other. [1] This shows that when you’re truly ready for a relationship, you seek a genuine connection. It isn’t just about attempts to escape loneliness or avoid insecurities. Being emotionally prepared means you’re looking for trust and partnership.
2. You feel emotionally stable
According to the study, the quality of your relationship depends on the perception that a partner understands, values, and supports important aspects of the self. [2] By the way, to give it to a significant one without sacrificing yourself, you need to be emotionally stable.
There’s no place for uncontrolled anger or constant emotional ups and downs. Emotional stability allows you to handle challenges with patience, creating a safe space for both partners.
3. You feel fine alone
Over 60% of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. [3] As such, these people may look for a partner just to have someone around. On the other hand, it’s better to start building healthy relationships in a different way.
But am I ready for a relationship? If you feel OK on your own and can satisfy all your needs — financial, emotional, etc., it means that you are in a strong place to enter a relationship for the right reasons. You don’t seek a partner out of the need to be completed but rather to share your life with someone who adds value.
We asked Nicole Arzt, LMFT, if she could give some advice for those who feel lonely and look for a partner to avoid it but want to change this dynamic. This is what she says, “Everyone feels lonely at times. It’s normal to seek out relationships for connection and validation. However, it’s important to be mindful that no one person can meet all your needs. Projecting this onto a partner can reinforce resentment, so try to focus on how you can also take care of yourself when feeling lonely.”
4. You understand what kind of person you’re looking for
Couples share up to 89% of values, the research states. [4] However, this doesn’t mean you should be seeking a complete copy of yourself. Yet, if you know your values and know who you’re searching for, the chances that it will work are much higher.
For instance, let’s say that family is your first priority. As such, you can seek a partner who wants to marry and have kids. Or, maybe you travel a lot. In this case, you may need someone adventurous to travel with you.
5. You have boundaries and can respect those of others
One of the easiest ways to answer, “Am I ready to be in a relationship?” is to analyze how you perceive others’ boundaries. If you appreciate that your partner may need some space, you are more likely to approach this need with respect.
What’s more, the opportunity to build healthy relationships isn’t the only advantage of boundaries. Studies show that maintaining healthy boundaries makes you more emotionally resilient over time. [5] This way, you also actively protect your emotional balance.
6. You have time and energy to build relationships
Work, social life, traveling, moving to another city, or studying might interfere with your desire to find a partner. Of course, you can try to get it all done, but sometimes it’s better to sit down and ask yourself, “Are you ready for a relationship?”
If your life is already packed with things to do, it might be best to focus on what’s most important first. This way, when you’re ready for a relationship, you’ll have the time and energy to truly invest in it.
7. You’ve left your past in the past
Being emotionally available for a new relationship means leaving the past behind. Of course, sometimes it’s easy to feel tempted to reconnect with a former partner, especially if there’s still some friendly feeling. Yet, research shows that it can be psychologically addictive, even when it’s not the best idea [6].
If you’re still holding onto old relationships or unresolved emotions, it might be a sign that you’re not quite ready to dive into something new. Let go of the past to fully embrace what’s ahead.
Signs you’re not ready for a relationship
Still, along with the signs that you’re ready to build a relationship, let’s mention the warning flags that suggest you might not be quite there yet.
- You feel uneasy about commitment. If the idea of being with one person long-term makes you nervous or uncomfortable, it might be a sign you’re not ready. A healthy relationship needs consistency, so if commitment feels overwhelming, you can always take a step back.
- You want to focus on yourself and grow in other spheres. Healthy relationships require that you pay a lot of attention to another person. If you feel you can’t offer that space to someone, you may want to put love on hold until you feel ready.
- You still have strong feelings for your ex-partner. You don’t need to take “Are you ready for a relationship? quiz if you still experience intense emotions — whether with love, regret, or anger — when thinking about your ex-partner.
- You don’t generally trust people. Trust is key in any relationship. If you find it challenging to believe people’s intentions, it might create problems with vulnerability later down the road. Working on trust first can help you build stronger connections.
- You want to date just because everyone around is doing it. Dating just because your friends are in relationships isn’t a good reason. A relationship should come from the desire for real connection, not a response to pressure. So, if there are no other reasons, you can wait and live your best life on your own.
Here are some tips from Nicole Arzt, LMFT, for people who want to build healthy relationships but now aren’t ready. “Start by thinking about what you value in relationships. Then, think about what you want to offer most to another person. Spend time trying to focus on being the person you want to be. You can do this by prioritizing self-care, self-improvement, and working through potential relational obstacles.”
Sources
- Withours. “Relationship statistics for finding a partner in 2024”
- National Library of Medicine. “Creating Good Relationships: Responsiveness, Relationship Quality, and Interpersonal Goals”
- Discovery ABA. “Surprising Loneliness Statistics and Facts”
- CNBC. “Couples share up to 89% of values, new study says: ‘There are very few traits where opposites actually do attract’”
- Psychology Today. “Having Good Boundaries Increases Resiliency”
- Discover Magazine. “Your Brain’s Response to Your Ex, According to Neuroscience”
