Are you ready to find love again? Have you been through the drama of divorce or completed the end of a long term relationship and find yourself emotionally ready to, at the very least, take the first steps to find love again?
The truth is that it is only in relationship that we can offer and receive love. Of course love is exchanged between good friends and family and there is a lot to be said for learning to love yourself, but when all is said and done, an exclusive intimate relationship where both partners are able to satisfy each other’s needs is as good as it gets.
So here you are second, third or even fourth time around and finding the love you want is, perhaps, a little more challenging. Is this because you know what you want and are determined not to make the same mistakes again? Are you afraid you may lose your identity and independence or maybe you don’t want to jump from the frying pan into the fire and allow yourself to become vulnerable and risk being hurt? Whatever the reason, it’s likely that you are more cautious as you get a bit older than you were as a much younger person. But if it’s really only in relationship that we can grow and find connection and be deeply understood, and ultimately you do want that, then how do you go about meeting Mr or Mrs Right or at least Mr or Mrs Right Now?
Well, I was discussing this very subject with a friend who is dipping his toe in dating pool and is considering trying his luck on the Internet. It seems like everyone is doing it and from what I hear, men are inundated with dates – even more than women, so I don’t think he will find it too difficult to meet someone PDQ! The Internet offers singles a ‘sweetshop’ of choice and if you don’t like the flavour of one you can easily pop back into the online-shop and find another sitting prettily on the shelf. You are spoilt for choice, which isn’t always a good thing, as I believe it does tend to promote the idea of single people being part of a ‘throw away’ society.
What happened to meeting someone on a beach, or on a minefield (I kid you not!) or even in the aisle of your local supermarket?
The idea of having one night a week or every couple of weeks that is put aside for ‘Singles Shopping’ seems to me a much more human way to meet a mate. I wonder why more supermarkets are not doing it? Statistics show that there are more singles in Britain right now than ever before in our history. Supermarkets are missing out on a niche market. Singles Shopping could be big business.
Perhaps there could be some special offers on ‘meals for one’ or on chocolate and champagne or on fruit and flowers. Perhaps your ‘Singles Trolley’ could come complete with a red rose, or a large pineapple or a specific item that indicated your willingness to stop next to the Bourbon Biscuits or the Icelandic Prawns, smile in recognition of the ‘appropriate produce’ and use that ever popular line “do you shop here often”.
Anything, I believe, would be better than sifting through photos of men in ski gear and women with seductive smiles and wondering if the photo was taken this year or even this decade. In the aisle of the Supermarket, what you see is what you get, organic without enhancement, under the fluorescent lights and in real time.
Perhaps we should all contact our favourite supermarket and lobby for Singles Nights? If you can get your local manager to agree, facebook your single friends email your mates and invite them to gather by the grapes at 6pm each Wednesday. If you are really ready for romance, make your list. Write down all the ‘ingredients’ needed for your perfect partner. Pin it to your Trolley and get yourself ready to go Shopping for Love.
Let me know how it goes!
Love Francine
