20 Tips on How to Stop Wanting a Relationship Badly

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Many people are losing their identity and getting out of touch with their self-worth because they want a relationship badly, but there is no one for them now. 

Your reasons for wanting a relationship badly might not be from a healthy place, and you may make mistakes if you hurriedly settle for anyone. In this post, you will learn how to stop wanting a relationship.

20 practical tips to make you stop desiring a relationship badly

Do you find yourself in a situation where you are tired of looking for a relationship? You might begin to sense desperation because people around you have a seemingly blissful love life, and it doesn’t look like it’s working well for you.

Here are some strategies that will help you stop wanting a relationship so that you can focus on other aspects of your life. Who knows, love might knock on your door when you least expect it.

1. Identify what you need apart from love

If you want to stop wanting a relationship, you need to know your needs apart from being in love. It might be the right time to introspect and retrospect to identify your needs.

According to Psychologist Mert Şeker:

We must observe ourselves deeply and explore our inner world to determine our needs outside of love. This helps us understand our emotional, mental, physical, and social needs. Recognizing our own values, passions, and goals can guide us in identifying our needs.

When you try to clarify what you need, you might think less about a relationship.  

2. Spend more time with family

Another way to stop wanting a relationship is to spend more quality time with your family members. Remember that the first relationship you ever have is your family, and you need to nurture it over time even if you are in a romantic relationship or not.

3. Give yourself space

Concerning not wanting a relationship again, consider giving yourself some space. Don’t occupy your mind with thoughts of relationships and love. You may even take extra steps to avoid staying around people or events that remind you of your single life.

In this book by Shell Teri titled Codependent No More, you will learn how to stop codependency and start loving yourself. 

4. Be patient to give yourself time for those feelings to fade

Sometimes, the feeling of not being in a relationship can be depressing and miserable, and it might prevent you from doing other things. However, you need to realize that these feelings do not disappear gradually. Give yourself some time for the feelings to leave gradually while you do other things.

Related Reading: 10 Ways to Find Yourself Again in a Relationship

5. Hang out with your good friends

Almost everyone has people that we consider friends. If you want to know how to stop wanting a relationship, you can focus more on hanging out with your good friends.

As Psychologist Mert Şeker explains:

Social support is important for all of us. When impatient and hasty about relationships, we need social support and a helping hand from someone. Generally, this social support is provided by our friends because we can express and convey to them our feelings and thoughts that we cannot express to our family.

Invest more in the friendships in your life while you try to take your mind off not being in a relationship.

6. Don’t be in a hurry to love again

One of the common mistakes that people make is being in a rush to fall in love or date someone. Eventually, some of them enter the wrong relationship that they regret. Giving yourself enough time to be in touch with your feelings is vital before you love again. 

Hence, being patient before your love is another way to stop wanting a relationship.

7. Spend more time on yourself

Spending good time with yourself is a good way to not want a relationship. You can practice self-care tips like vacationing, exercising, going on solo dates, etc. Remember to love yourself first if you need a worthy relationship.

Related Reading: 20 Ways to Focus on Yourself in a Relationship

8. Accept solitude without loneliness

Remember that solitude is not a bad thing. You can have people around you and still invest good time in your personal moments. However, ensure that you are not lonely. You can practice tips like volunteering, joining a club or community, etc.

9. Don’t force yourself on potential partners

Avoid forcing yourself on people you consider could be your romantic partners. Some of these people might not be interested in what you want, and you may hurt yourself. So, to stop wanting a relationship, just don’t force yourself on people.

Related Reading: 15 Signs You Are Forcing Yourself to Love Someone

10. Give yourself self-compassion

It is necessary not to make the mistake of being too hard on yourself. Don’t feel miserable that people don’t want to be in a relationship with you. Rather, speak positive words of affirmation to yourself. Value yourself highly, and don’t look down on yourself.

Psychologist Mert Şeker shares his thoughts on this:

People not being in a relationship with you may decrease your motivation after a while. It may lead you to look for flaws in yourself. Mindfulness and meditation will support you in developing self-compassion. Improved self-compassion will also help you have improved self-confidence.

Your self-esteem can determine the quality of romantic relationships, and this is what Ruth Yasemin Erol explained in their study. 

11. Don’t use dating apps

Not spending time on dating apps is a good way to stop wanting a relationship. Don’t use dating apps if you want to take your mind off relationships, love, and every related concept. When you spend time on these apps, you might crave a relationship badly.

Related Reading: 30 Pros and Cons of Online Dating

12. Focus on interests that make you happy

Everyone has interests or hobbies that keep them engaged. Hence, seek out these interests and spend time on them. When you spend more time exploring your interests, you might gain good experience and discover other callings that could positively benefit you.

13. Set goals for yourself

Setting goals and milestones for yourself is important to stop wanting a relationship. Having some goals in sight takes your mind off the intense desire to be in a relationship. While you achieve your goals gradually, you will be happy with yourself.

Try watching this video on how to set goals effectively and take some cues:

14. Form new and platonic connections

You can focus on meeting new people if you want to stop thinking about being in a relationship. While you form new connections, do not prioritize a romantic relationship. Be comfortable with meeting people without any romantic ties. 

Doing this will reduce your interest in not wanting to be in a relationship badly.

15. Avoid discussions on relationships

When you notice the overwhelming desire to be in a relationship, you might have to limit the discussions on love and relationships with people. Focus on having other conversations that will not remind you of your yearning to have a romantic partner.

16. Don’t maintain close relations with exes and your crush

You may also consider avoiding close or intimate relations with your crush or ex-partners if you want to know how to stop wanting a love life. When you remain close to them, your feelings might make you crave a relationship, and they may not be ready for it.

Related Reading: 16 Things You Must Know About the No-Contact Rule Female Psychology

17. Remember that it is not a crime to be single

Many people are too hard on themselves because they don’t have a partner. However, it is important to note that being single is better than being in the wrong relationship. 

Hence, if you have asked yourself why do I want a relationship so badly, remember that your single years are for you to enjoy.

Related Reading: Being Single Versus Relationship: Which Is Better?

18. Work on your not-too-good habits

Before entering a relationship, your single period might be the best time to work on some habits that can affect your love life. When you want someone so badly to be your partner, remember that they might be unable to cope with some of your habits. 

Therefore, fix some of these habits before wanting a relationship.

19. See a therapist

Going for therapy is another profound way to stop wanting a relationship.

Psychologist Mert Şeker further clarifies:

Therapy allows us to understand our inner world, address our emotional difficulties, and learn to set healthy boundaries. Therapists can support and guide us in the decision to stop wanting a relationship.

The therapy process can help us understand our past experiences and change negative relationship patterns, enabling us to establish healthy relationships in the future.

With good therapy, you will be able to figure out why you badly want a relationship and why it may be unhealthy for you at that moment.

20. Work on self-improvement

While you are single, working on improving yourself in different aspects of your life can help you stop wanting a relationship badly. Focus on being the best version of yourself, learn more skills, scale your business, etc.

Why do I want a relationship so badly?

If you have asked questions like, “Why do I want a relationship so badly?” one of the reasons might be that you need someone to be intimate with. You might also need emotional support that will always be readily available for you to lean on. 

Robert J Waldinger and Marc Schulz discuss the connection between Love, Daily Happiness, and Health in their study titled What’s Love Got to do with it?

FAQs

Here are some more questions to help you navigate the phase of wanting to be in a relationship badly. Keep reading and taking some cues.

• Why do I crave a relationship so badly?

There are different reasons why people want to be in a relationship badly. Some of them might be sexual fulfillment, the need to have a family, support and security, intimacy, etc.

• Is it fine to not want a relationship at all?

Not everyone has to be in a relationship. Sometimes, remaining single and figuring out other aspects of your life may be advisable before committing to someone. Therefore, weigh your options to see if a relationship is a priority.

The urge can be controlled

You can always be in a relationship at any time. However, when you realize that the feeling of wanting a partner is affecting you differently, you might need to forget about a relationship for some time. You can consider going for relationship counseling in order to stop wanting a relationship.