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LIFESTYLE
march 2024
MyWokingham
Healing from past hurt and getting ready to date again without a dating app
www.mywokingham.co.uk
Agony aunt advice column
H
eartbreak is an inevitable part of the human experience, a painful chapter that leaves us feeling vulnerable and lost. If you have ever had your heart broken, you know that the journey to healing can be long and challenging. As time passes and wounds begin to mend, the prospect of entering the dating scene again can be overwhelming. Here are seven tips to help: 1. Self-reflection Before jumping back into the dating pool, take some time for self-reflection. Understand the lessons learned from your past relationship. Identify your emotional needs, assess your personal growth and journey. This process will not only provide clarity but also help you approach new relationships with a stronger sense of self, plus builds resilience for what is to come. 2. What do you like doing? Rediscover the things that bring you joy and fulfilment. Engaging in activities you are passionate about can be a powerful way to rebuild your confidence and self-esteem. Whether it is a hobby you did in the past or a new interest you would like to try. Investing time in yourself will make you more attractive and interesting to potential partner. 3. Have a support system Surround yourself with a strong support system of friends and family who genuinely care about your well-being. Share your feelings, seek advice, and let their support be a source of strength during moments of vulnerability and healing.
4. Have realistic expectations Setting realistic expectations for yourself is crucial. Give yourself permission to take things slow and avoid pressuring yourself to find love immediately. Life is not Amazon - just because you order it does not mean it is going to be with you the next day. 5. Widen your social circles Explore new social opportunities to meet people organically and in-person. Attend social events like BoredinBerkshire.co.uk, join clubs or classes, and participate in group activities where you can connect with individuals who share similar interests. This can also give you the chance to meet others that could be at the same stage in their life as you. 6. Know what you are looking for Short-term relationship Long-term committed relationship Companionship
Effective communication is key in any relationship. As you open yourself up to the idea of dating again, be clear about your intentions and expectations. Honest communication will help build trust and create a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling connection. 7. Embrace your independence Embracing your individuality not only makes you more attractive but also ensures that you enter new relationships with a sense of completeness. Life and love is a personal journey. When you feel ready to date again, approach the process with self-confidence. As matchmaker/dating coach, it is my job to help people get emotionally ready to date again, introducing you to potential dates. It is not something you have to do on your own. Reach out if you want to know more at Jacquie@introducingu2love. co.uk
Are you grappling with an issue and in need of guidance? Our in-house Agony Aunt, Jacquie, is at your service. Send your queries her way, and she’ll assist you in unravelling them with her insight and sound counsel. Whether it’s a personal dilemma that’s been troubling you or a question that’s of general concern, sharing it could not only provide you with relief but potentially aid others too. Jacquie addresses a spectrum of issues ranging from family disputes, loss, eating disorders, phobias, and lifestyle challenges, to intimate and relationship difficulties, workplace stress, and financial anxieties. Her life’s work is devoted to aiding individuals in liberating themselves from the shackles of undesired emotions, adverse memories, trauma, and interpersonal strife. She is a certified Master NLP Practitioner with specialisations in Relationship Counselling, Hypnotherapy, Mental Health, and more, ensuring that her advice is rooted in extensive training and a wealth of experience.
Café could close as building goes under offer WORDS BY JACKY HAYLER PHOTO BY PAUL KING
S
hockwaves have gone through the Wokingham community with the news that it looks like the Cantley Park café could close for good. Owned and run by Wokingham Borough Council, the premises at Cantley Park Pavillion became available to let on the Zoopla website a few weeks ago for £22,000 per year. Now agents Page Hardy Harris has the property ‘under offer’. My Wokingham spoke to the letting agents but were unable to confirm any details about the potential new tenant. One person who works at the café said: “We are very sad that it will close.” And added: “I don’t understand – it is very busy here at the weekends. We are usually full up on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, not just with sporting events but with people taking walks in the park. They will have
nowhere else to go.” And she added that upstairs from the café is a space
used by other community groups from around the area that could face look-
ing for new homes. The advert for the property states Cantley Park Pavillion is a spacious unit across ground and first floors, which is predominantly open plan with the flexibility to be easily divided or opened out further. The unit comes with an abundance of parking including ev charging points. Added features include kitchens on both ground and first floor, a balcony on the first floor and an external paved area to the front for outdoor seating. The premises looks onto the sports pitches which are typically fully booked. A £1.6 million investment in Cantley was approved by the council in 2020 which included an upgrade to the pavilion. My Wokingham spoke to Wokingham Borough Council for a comment but was still waiting at the time of going to press.
