Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't— going on a dating fast. It sounds strange, but let me explain.
There is so much pressure from society and social media and "relationship goals" and rom coms and families and that hopeless romantic inside of you to find that one special person to spend the rest of your fairytale life with. Well that's all fine and dandy, but as women who feel that pressure, we start to actively seek out guys. This, my friends, is where we all go wrong.
Is it okay to see a guy and think he's cute? Of course. Is it okay to see a guy and picture what your life could be like with him? Of course not. I like to call this mental stalking. You're not actually stalking them, so it's fine, right? Wrong, because your brain is. But not doing this is a lot easier said than done.
This is where the dating fast comes into play; if you do start to fall into that old habit of mental stalking, you can just remind yourself that you're going guy free for six months or a year or however long you choose.
Still convinced that a dating fast is just not for you? You might be right, but let me throw some other ideas at you before you finalize your decision.
1. This is time that you can use to really focus on yourself.
As cliché as that might sound, it's true. Even though it might not feel like it, being single is a gift that too many of us take for granted. It gives you time to really learn who you are as a person— what keeps you going and what stops you dead in your tracks, what gives you life and what makes you feel like the world is ending. It also gives you time to be independent. Learn how to change that lightbulb, that tire, cook that meal, open that damn pickle jar. Because you can do these things with or without a man. You can be independent and love your life just the way it is.
2. It gives you more time to fall in love with the Lord.
If we're being honest, a lot of the time we get caught up in relationships and forget what the relationship should really be about— Christ. Because if He's not your first love and if He's not at the center of your world and at the center of your heart, then no relationship will work out the way you really want it to. Going on a dating fast can really help you lean on God more than you ever have. It gives you time to fall completely and totally in love with Him and to grow your relationship with Him in a way that can't compare to any human relationship.
3. You condition yourself for life after your dating fast is over.
Maybe this one is self-explanatory, but it only takes 21 days to form a habit. I promise you that this will become a habit, and until you meet the guy that God has put on this earth for you, your life might be a continual dating fast. And the best part is that it'll be unintentional after the fast itself— you won't even have to think about it.
You might be asking, "Well what if the one comes along in that period of time?" And that's a fair question, but if he really is the one for you, then he'll wait for you. He'll understand why you're doing this, and he'll respect that. Plus, the day your dating fast is over may or may not be the happiest day of your life thus far if this is the case for you.
There's no pressure to make this decision now. Pray about it, think about it, because a dating fast isn't for everyone. It's a commitment.
