Has anyone here taken a total break

[missbetty1]

from men? Since being single and really enjoying it I've been considering celibacy. I met a new guy and he is VERY likable but I just feel the need to just really take a break from men/relationships and enjoy being single for a while longer. I know some on here are single but they have FWB. I am not into the FWB thing...been there done that in my 20's. I was wondering if there is anyone on here that took a total break from men(relationships) and sex. If so, how long? How was it? Any epiphanies?

[letyourselfgo]

I'm taking a total break right now.... including celibacy....which will go on until I feel that I'm in the healthiest place that I can be. I've had FWB's......and it completely messed with my head.

I do have a BOB and that keeps me covered when I just want to get off. Not saying it's easy.....because it's not. I constantly struggle with my decision to take a break, but I believe that it's the right thing for me to do....and the healthiest.

[bowies]

I took a break. My divorce left me a fucking wreck. Taking myself out of the game (and thus lessening the pressure on myself) made a huge difference. I dated myself for a while, and looking back, it was one of the more enjoyable periods of my life. Ironically, I knew I was ready to date again when I didn't care about dating or being in a relationship.

For context, I separated in October 2009 and started dating again in December 2010. I did not have a FWB during that time.

[bullygirl979]

I was single (and celibate) for a year prior to meeting XBF. Honestly I was fine with being single and enjoyed myself. I think taking a break is a GREAT thing to do for yourself.

[doriswe]

I was single and celibate multiple times in my adult life. There were times it was based on lack of opportunities, but most of the time it was self imposed.

I'll mirror Bowies, and say that when I was totally happy being single and not putting in any effort into finding someone, is pretty much when I stumbled on a relationship.

[BookLover]

I've never had a FWB. From the time I separated till till 2 months after my divorce was final I wasn't with any guy. About a year and two months. Then again after the last break up. It's been about a year now. I've spent more time with out a guy since my divorce then with.

I'm happy being single. I do like to occasionally date, but I'm focused on school right now and want to finish it up.

[aliciar6]

in college i got so annoyed with men in general i took about 8 months off from dating.
but i never had a lot of serious relationships, i had FWBs, and guys I'd see of and on, but only 2 serious boyfriends, but with each one we were off and on the whole time we were daging, one I married and then divorced

i actually prefered being single, i hated being tied down, and i really hated being married.

with FI it's different, I think I just needed to fing the right person at the right time in my life.

[Bernadine]

I just closed my POF account. I have a date tonight, but I think after that, I'm going to take a break. I've been separated for 7 months, and I think I was just really excited to date, since I had been with xh since I was 16. I've been on some dates, made out with a few guys, had fun, but I think I'd like to be alone for a bit now.

[Deleted]

Yes, after I left my ex-FI and dated a co-worker very briefly, I did not have any interest in men for almost a year. I just focused on myself and getting to a healthy place. That's one of my favorite times in life and I look back on it very fondly.

[nextchapter]

I have never had a FWB and I didn't start dating again until the end of April this year (XH and I split up in February 2011). Even now, I'm only dating casually and I could stop at any time and without feeling like I'm missing out.

I'm sure the reason I feel this way, is because I was married for most of my adult life. I learned a lot about myself during that time, but I didn't have many of the experiences that are normal for people in their 20's. Now in my 30's, I have been making up for lost time and I'm enjoying life like I never have before. I'm not saying I would turn my back on the right guy, if he came along, but having an SO wouldn't make my life more complete.

[starburst604]

Yeah a couple of years ago I was so burnt out on men and dating. Had been single 3 years at that point and needed a break. Told myself no casual sex either. If I had met someone great by chance I was open to that, but that didn't happen. So I quit the dating sites, bought a vibe and didn't have sex for 7 months. Maybe went on a couple of dates. I was at a point where I wanted to BE the person I thought I deserved to meet, not the person giving herself casually to men or the person feeling totally jaded. I think I finally rounded out into the person that I wanted to be at that point. Stop accepting lame attention from men as "enough", and it's continued through the present.

[achase123]

I haven't ever done this intentionally but it's definitely not my primary focus right now because I'm so busy studying. I think if I was trying to date I would feel completely overwhelmed.

[stephbfan]

I haven't had a relationship since my ex 4 years ago. The first 2 years, I was going through custody hell and dating was the last thing in my head.

[redredwine]

Yup...for well over a year.

It was actually awesome. It was SO drama free, i didn't have to worry about "why didn't he text/email/call me?" or "is he just not that into me" or anything. Also, it was cheaper and I saved $ (as after the first date, I'll offer to pay and of course I need new date clothes!". I figured out ALOT of what happened in my marriage and I don't think I could have focused on that had I been dating.

It was awesome just to spend time with...ME and learn what I like, do what I want, not answer to anyone, etc. I loved it to the point where I was worried how I'd fit someone into my life.
But the past few months (a few months into dating) I was at the beach by myself and went "huh. it would be really nice to be able to share this with someone."

[explorer2001]

Yes. 6 months from when my divorce was final. Then again for about a year after ExBF. I'm much better at being alone than u thought I'd be. It is remarkably easy to be lonely in a relationship and no be lonely when you are alone. I truly enjoy my own company. I'm not even touching what I learned in therapy, but I broke through.the BS my family preaches about women being defined by the men in their lives. I found I am much more discerning when it comes to.who I spend time with and how I spend my time, ex won't waste it with a guy I'm not into just to be nice.