Knowing how long you should wait to get into a new relationship after a break up can be difficult. There is a different answer with each person you ask.

The amount of time you take between relationships is very personal. Some people will comfortably date one person after the other with no time in between. Others take years to get back out there. No matter how much time you feel you need before you start dating again, here are a few guidelines to help you in your decision.

Set your own time limit

Nobody can tell you how long you need to get over your ex. Take as much or as little time as you need and then get back out there.

Leave your past in the past

Avoid carrying all the emotional baggage from your last relationship into the new one, even if you are yet to deal with it.

Enjoy being single

Make peace with being single. Enjoy this time, find yourself and go out and meet new people. This will help to remind you that you are loveable.

Deal with your issues

As you evaluate your past relationship, determine how your issues contributed to its demise and what issues you now have as a result of that relationship. Then work through them.

Understand why you want to get back into dating

Make sure it’s not a rebound or to fill the void left by your ex.