Single and Ready to Mingle: How to Let The World Know You’re Ready

You are single and ready to mingle! Shout it from the rooftops! After a breakup, maybe even a heartbreak, is your time to shine.

So, you’re single and ready to mingle? Maybe you just got out of a relationship, or you’ve been mourning it for quite some time.

You got your feelings hurt. Heartbreak is about the most horrible emotion that someone can experience. The worst part is that, unlike a cut or wound, it takes much longer to heal. So, getting back out there can seem intense, overwhelming, and even scary.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Once you have gotten to the point where you no longer want to hide under the covers and think that you may be able to let someone new in your life, it is time to announce to everyone around that you are single and ready to mingle!

[Read: How to enjoy the single life and find the one along the way]

Are you single and ready to mingle?

You may be feeling lonely right now. Announcing that you’re single and ready to mingle may be an easy thing to say to friends, but to actually take that first step out in the world after a bad breakup is tough.

You want to forget about your ex, but sometimes jumping into flirting and dating can remind you of them. You compare everyone to them and end up having a bad night, so you call them at the end of the night. That isn’t exactly the coveted outcome of getting back out there.

Really figure out if you are ready to get out of your sadness rut and meet new people before doing it. If you aren’t ready, it can scare you off and push you even deeper into your hole of heartbreak, and no one wants that.

Are you ready to mingle, or are you hoping you are? Really figure out if you are excited to be meeting new people or just feel like it is something you should be doing. Are your friends pressuring you? Or is this your idea?

Once you come to realize your truth, you can do what is right for you. [Read: 13 signs it is finally time to start dating again]

What does single and ready to mingle mean?

Single and ready to mingle is a pretty common phrase, but what does it mean? Does it mean you’re ready to get back out there into the dating game? Are you flirting and hooking up and going on dates? Or are you craving another serious relationship?

Knowing what your expectations are is important here. Are you open to anything? Would you be willing to commit to someone, or are you just out for fun? Going into a meet and greet with some good-looking strangers without some idea of what you want out of it can make things complicated and fast. [Read: How to let a guy know you’re interested in having sex without feeling slutty]

Decide what this phrase means to you before you announce it to the world, or you could really send some mixed messages. While you may be ready to flirt with a cutie at the bar and then call it a night, they may be under the impression you’re ready to go home with them or go on a real date.

You always have the right to say no in any situation, but knowing what you want going in can keep things clear throughout the night. [Read: How to take control of your love life]

How to say I’m single and ready to mingle

There is no time limit on healing after a breakup. But if you think you may be ready to open your heart again, then there is a way to signal to those around you that you aren’t a wounded bird anymore.

Putting up an “open for business” sign, however, can be awkward. If you want to tell significant people in your life *and singles around you* that you are open to trying something new, you don’t want to appear desperate or obvious. These are subtle ways to say that you are single and ready to mingle. [Read: 13 clear signs you’re totally ready to start dating people again]

1. Get some awesome outfits

Nothing shows the outside world that you are ready to date again more than a sexy new outfit. Show people that you are ready to find someone new by making yourself the center of attention and showing off in a trendy new outfit.

You don’t need to go out of your way or change your entire style, but getting your hair done or showing off your confidence with a bold color can give you the oomph you’re looking for. [Read: 11 bad social habits that make anyone undateable]

2. Change your Facebook status

Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to let go. If your Facebook status has not been updated yet, now is the time to do so, and signal to those around you that to set you up on a date is fair game. In fact, it is encouraged!

You don’t need to delete your past, but making it clear that you’re single is the easiest way for anyone interested in you to find out what your deal is. [Read: 20 signs to know if you’re ready for a relationship or totally unprepared]

3. Try online dating

Even if you think online dating is cheesy, what do you have to lose? Sure, you may have to kiss a thousand weirdos to find your person, but sometimes online dating can help put you back out there.

Honestly, online dating probably has the biggest dating pool, so if you want to meet people, that is a great way. There are just as many oddballs about at bars and clubs as there are online too. Plus, this way, you don’t have to deal with their bad breath before getting to know them.

This can actually ease you into it. Being online and trying your hand at talking to strangers may help give you the confidence to do it in person. [Read: How to know if online dating is right for you]

4. Find a wing person

If you are ready to say that you’re single and ready to mingle, find a wing person. A wing person will help encourage you and make you feel less awkward about wanting to find someone. It feels vulnerable to need or want someone in your life, but two people working toward the same goal makes it a lot less intimidating.

You can grab a single friend who is in the same place emotionally as you are or just have a friend that is supportive of you and wants to help make your introductions a little more natural. [Read: How to be a wingman – A full guide to becoming the best wingman ever]

5. Call up those old “crazy” contacts

When we are in a relationship, sometimes we have to let go of some of our crazier friends. If someone caused a stir in your previous relationship because they brought out the crazy or irresponsibleness in you, give them a call. You let go of them to try to make a relationship work. It didn’t, so re-connect.

We’re not advising that you go hang out with that high school friend that got you arrested. Nor are we telling you to reconnect with friends only to use them.

But if you have a friend that is down for a bar crawl or speed dating, call them up as they’re down for anything. [Read: 15 reasons being single can be a lot of fun too!]

6. Find your rebound

There has to be that guy or girl who gets you past the ugliness of your past relationship. When you are ready to get out there and be single and mingle, sometimes the first step is to find that rebound person.

Don’t be so concerned about finding a long-term mate; have fun and look at it like meeting new people. That will make it a lot less stressful and a lot more fun! Just be sure you make your intentions clear off the bat. Let them know you’re fresh off a relationship and just want to have fun for now. This will keep things a lot less complicated. [Read: Why a rebound can be good for you]

A word of caution about rebound relationships though. It’s not for everyone. It works really well for many people, but not for everyone. If you think you can handle a rebound, go for it. But if it’ll only leave you confused, skip a rebound for now! [Read: 13 rebound sex questions to know if that’s something you can handle]

7. Try social clubs

There are many social clubs in cities around the world where the goal is to help busy people meet up to do fun things. If you want to find people who are just as uncomfortable and vulnerable as you, a social club may be the answer.

Whether it is for recreational purposes or a Match event, the key is that you know everyone is in the same uneasy-feeling boat. There are tons of things like this, from cooking classes to foreign language lessons and even skydiving.

Look into your interests or something you’d like to learn more about, and who knows who you’ll meet. [Read: No boyfriend, no problem! 13 reasons to love your single life]

8. Find out where the “it” bars are

If you were in a relationship for a long time, things could change. When you are single and ready to mingle, you may want to find out what the best places in town are for meeting singles. The last time you checked out these bars and clubs were probably before you hooked up with your now ex-partner.

Find the bars or nightclubs known for people who are single and ready to mingle instead of the neighborhood bar where everyone is already hooked up.

This may not be the place to go if you are looking for another relationship, but this is where you want to be for some fun flirting and dancing.

9. Stop being the third wheel

If you are single and ready to mingle, then stop hanging out with your couple friends. It is doubtful that someone will approach you when you are with a couple of people who seem to be “coupled.” To find someone interesting, you not only have to appear available, but make yourself available too.

Now, being the third wheel isn’t cute, but going on a double date is. Ask your couple friends to set you up with a single friend of theirs. Two people who are single with many coupled-up friends are more likely to have things in common. If you aren’t one for clubs or bars, this could be the best idea for you. [Read: The best double dating ideas and why you should try one]

10. Don’t go out with people of the opposite sex

If most of your friends are of the opposite sex, you may want to reconsider who you go out with on the weekends. It is very improbable that someone will approach you when you have someone of the opposite sex with you.

Being single is all about the assumptions that people make about you, so make sure that you are giving them the assumption that you are single and looking, not taken and happy. [Read: How to be the most approachable girl at the bar]

11. Do you have a flirty friend?

Do you feel any sexual chemistry with a casual friend or someone you bump into now and then? If you have had a person in your life stuck in the friend zone for a while, you may want to give them a second look.

Sometimes, we pass people in our lives because it is the wrong time, not because they are the wrong person. This sounds thirsty, but take a good look around with a fresh eye and see if there’s someone who seems interested in you in a more-than-just-friends kind of way! [Read: The thirst is real – 15 realities of being single for too long]

12. Take care of yourself

When in a relationship, we tend to let ourselves get comfortable. We forget the gym, stick to sweats, and let our roots grow out.

If you are single and ready to mingle, you’ll want to put your best foot forward. You want to amp up your confidence, so do that the best way you know how to. That could be going to the gym, doing yoga, going to the salon, investing in a new skincare routine, or starting a new health kick. [Read: How to look hot – 18 tips to take you from boring to flawless]

13. Stop saying no

Suppose you are more of a homebody… newsflash! Ms. or Mr. Perfect isn’t going to show up knocking at your door. The more you put yourself out there and experience life, the more likely you are to run into the perfect person for you.

Get out to the grocery store, run errands in person, and just go into the bank instead of the drive-thru. It sounds silly, but you can meet people anywhere. And the more you get out around people, the better the odds are that you’ll meet people.

This is also a great way to practice your interactions. Maybe you don’t want to date your bank teller, but a little subtle flirting will help improve your game. [Read: 14 signs you’re a homebody that needs to go out more]

14. Do the things you love

The best way to find someone to date is to do the things you love while keeping your eyes open. If you find love while doing activities you like, such as hiking or skiing, you will have many things to talk about right up front and in common.

Don’t put things off. Make plans to mini-golf, take some dance lessons, or even travel. Do the things that make you happy. In those moments, your confidence exudes and inspires people to come to talk to you. [Read: 13 charming ways to be way more approachable and interesting to people]

15. Be adventurous

You don’t typically go to lunch alone or to grab dinner by yourself. Sometimes the best way of finding other singles is by just being okay with being alone. 

You don’t need an entourage to hang out at the bar all night. Stop in after work for a quick drink. You never know who might be hanging out next to you to have their own happy hour! [Read: 18 ways to become more spontaneous and experience life]

16. Take breaks

Dating is exhausting. Even just attempting to date is tiring. Don’t feel like you need to go out every night or make getting out there and saying you’re single and ready to mingle your priority.

Take breaks. Spend some nights at home or go out with friends without the purpose of meeting new people. This will take the pressure off, and you could still meet someone when you least expect it.

Breaking up might have been one of the hardest things you have ever had to do. But, if the shock has worn off and the scars are beginning to heal, then it may be time to dust yourself off and get back out there.

[Read: 10 reasons that taking a break from dating can save your love life]

Putting yourself out there may be scary, but when you are single and ready to mingle, stepping outside your comfort zone is key. You never know where you might find someone.