The End

2014 was the year I grew up. (Well, at least that's what I imagine an older me will think when looking back at this year).

After eight years of dead end dating, I now find myself in a relationship, which goes some way towards explaining my absence from this blog for the past six months. Leaving the dating scene after what felt like a relentless battle has been an enormous relief for me (although I can't say with any certainty how long this reprieve will last).

So, this seems like a good time to end my dating blog (for now, at least) and look forward to the future.

Before I sign off I'd like to share some of what I've learnt this year:

1) There's no such thing as a perfect person or soul mate, timing is everything.
2) The ideal match doesn't have to be exactly the same as you - whether that's in relation to education, career, family, friends, hobbies or life experiences.
3) You don't have to 'know' that they are 'the one' on the first date.
4) Kindness, generosity and an open and caring nature are important qualities to look for in a partner.
5) Give people a chance (it's all to easy to get labeled as "fussy" if you're a single, Indian, thirty-something woman) but if after 2-3 dates you don't see any potential, move on.
6) Going to posh restaurants, bars, shows, etc. is nice for a time (if you're into that kind of thing), but you find out more about your relationship when you do boring things, like going food shopping.
7) A good relationship will seem to flow but it takes consistent effort from both parties to keep it going.
8) After an extended (and sometimes traumatic) single-hood, you are much more appreciative of a good person when you meet them.
9) Two single thirty-somethings can learn a lot from each others life experiences and the perspectives they bring.
10) Enjoy the moments, for none of us knows what the future holds.

I hope the above list is not so ridden with cliches that it offers nothing new to any single 30-somethings who might be reading this.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2015 brings you whatever you wish for xxx