I guess I fall into the serial monogamist category. Up till a couple years ago, I hadn't been single for more than a couple months since I was 15. Confession time: I've even been married and divorced *twice*. (Boy, do I have stories, haha.) I always felt like I was ready to settle down, and I never knew WHY. Looking back, I can see it was twofold - part of me is just plain happier with someone to share life with (which is fine), and part of me wanted to continue to stability I had with my family, growing up... which can get a girl into trouble.
After my second marriage went kapoof - he left me for another woman, and I was really screwed up by the entire ordeal - I vowed to stay single for a while. I went on a date here and there for fun, but that was it... and that year sucked, but it was the best thing I could have done for myself. Honestly. I never saw it, but I'd been consistently hooking up with the same (wrong!) type of guys over and over, and a "break" put enough distance between me and that pattern that I DIDN'T make the same mistake again.
A funny thing, though - I've never dated a commitment-phobe. Maybe it's because I always went for older guys, and "settling down" is more of a priority for them? I really don't know.
I've noticed a pattern with my friends and myself, and actually, even my mother, and some of my aunts: None of us have found ourselves in truly happy relationships until anywhere from the late 20s till mid 30s. I suppose you could get a lot of theories out of that, but I tend to think you have to kiss a lot of toads before you find a prince.
I know none of this really answers your questions, but I'll say this: don't let bad experiences make you bitter and change who you are. Sooner or later, someone WILL come along who's really going to appreciate that loving nature of yours, and everything will click into place.
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