Should You Be Waiting for Love or Taking Action?

Don’t look for love; it’ll find you.

That’s what many tell themselves as they dip their toes in romance.

Don’t get me wrong; we’ll all meet the right person. But should we continue to sit back, waiting for love? Or should we take action?

Waiting for Love

People often say that good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue, after all. And so, some extend this belief to their romantic endeavors.

Fairytales and other fictional depictions promote the idea that love happens in a serendipitous encounter. If you want an example, look no further than stories like Cinderella.

Many believe that destiny is the author who writes their romantic chapters, moving as things play out. They wait for love to come to them, like how it plays out in storybooks and movies.

I don’t blame them for holding out. Who wouldn’t enjoy a main character moment in a cinematic-like romance?

For these folks, waiting is worth it for several reasons.

One, they’re still figuring themselves out. They don’t want to drag another person into what could be a long journey of knowing their self-worth and challenging their toxic attitude.

Two, they’re shielding themselves from potential heartbreak. They don’t want to go all-in on someone only to get hurt. They take time to weigh their decision and test the waters.

And lastly, time isn’t on their side. They’re preoccupied with other matters (like reason #1, for example) that require their total focus. They’re holding off on love because they don’t want to jump into something that unequally divides their time and attention.

Taking Action

It’s 2024; shooting your shot has never been more encouraging. Why should you wait when an opportunity is right in front of you? Sometimes, sliding into DMs is all it takes to make the wheels spin.

For go-getters, they refuse to be passive.

When they know they can get what they want, they’ll get up and do things as soon as possible. In love, this means they’ll bravely open their hearts to others and explore the dating scene.

Another reason for taking action? For these people, destiny can lead to disappointment.

Waiting for fate to do the work will raise their expectations to untenable levels, which can be unsatisfying and frustrating. They don’t find daydreaming and fantasizing wrong, but they don’t want to get too lost in their imagination.

They prefer a more grounded approach to romance. They find love more fulfilling when they win it through effort and will.

It's Your Choice

Some people don’t mind waiting for love, while others prefer taking matters into their own hands. There isn’t a right or wrong option here. Why stray from something that works for you? It’s your choice to make.

Whatever route you take, ensure your love goes beyond the white-hot flame it starts as. It may feel magical, but the flame can only flicker for so long. If you want an enduring and long-lasting romance, you’ll need to drive on bumpy roads just as much as smooth-sailing ones.