It doesn’t matter what age you are or what stage of your life you’re in. Every actively dating single will encounter at least one slump (if not multiple slumps) throughout their dating career. A dating slump is when you experience an extended period in which you don’t get asked out on dates or your date proposals aren’t accepted. It can also occur when you go on bad date after bad date after bad date without anyone turning out to be a promising prospect. You might even experience a self-imposed slump when you just can’t seem to muster the energy to date. Whatever the case, a dating slump is generally a real bummer that can cast a shadow over your romantic life. So how do you get out of this rut?

1. Date Someone Who’s Not Your Type

Perhaps you’ve been so focused on what you think is your perfect partner that you’ve overlooked lots of great prospects! It could be hair color, skin tone, hair style, height, body shape, education level, career area, religiousness or something else. Try to be flexible in one or more of these areas and you could find yourself with a whole new slew of possibilities.

2. Realize It’s Never The Perfect Time

You’re about to move? You just started a new job? You recently lost a loved one? Your divorce papers aren’t even filed yet? You still have kids in the house? All of these are excuses. It’s never the right time if you always find a reason to avoid dating, so just get out there already. If there’s always going to be “something,” then you may as well confront whatever life throws your way with someone by your side.

3. Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

If you’ve been too scared to sign up for JDate, go on a blind date, attend a singles mixer or even just ask someone out, then get out of your bubble and do something about being perpetually single.

4. Go Somewhere New

Do you go to the same place on all your first dates? To the same branch of your gym? The same coffee shop? The same bar? Shake things up! If your routine is too predictable, then by altering one location you could possibly meet more prospects or, at the very least, not have such a monotonous schedule to help bring some excitement into your life.

5. Do Something New

When you read your JDate profile, does it actually sound like you? Maybe you wrote “love traveling,” but when was the last time you went somewhere? Did you check off a list of hobbies that you haven’t done in a long time but have been meaning to? Make your profile reflect your real life, and if that’s a little lackluster, it just means it’s time to spice things up!

6. Make A Change In Your Life

Don’t blame others for your slump. Look within and make a decision to evolve. When you focus on bettering yourself and your own life, you will start to attract others.

Slumps have a way of seeping into the rest of our lives and affecting our attitude. By stomping on your slump, you can make some really great changes in your life. Remember: “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.” —Charles R. Swindoll