A new year has dawned and you woke up still single. “What will be different this year?” you ask yourself. Consider these five keys to embracing a new year and finding a new love. Sometimes the best first step to making changes in your life is to make a decision to do so. Are you sure you actually made the decision or are you just going along with the I’m-still-single-tide, and floating with whatever happens in life without actually putting much thought or effort into it.

Making a conscious, deliberate decision sets a real intention that you are actually ready for whatever may happen, good or not. Right after making an actual decision is doing something about it. Now is the time. Never accepted a blind date? Why not? Because you tried once and it didn’t work out? That doesn’t mean that the next one will turn out the same. Been thinking about taking up a new hobby? It’s a great time to learn something new and go places where there will be men.

Where you will find your Mr. Right might be mystery, but whether you are taking action to help fate along is squarely your responsibility. The romantic love you seek with your Mr. Wonderful who will snuggle with you on the couch could be closer than you think. Listen to the opportunities to go to the unexpected party invitation, a business event, or the neighbor’s BBQ. There are many stories of lifelong love that was discovered with someone who was just under your nose.

Don’t waste a new year or you won’t find a new love. Your ‘this sucks’ attitude is messing with your dating mojo. Carrying that ‘not again’ or ‘why should I bother’ sneer weighs you down and zaps the energy out of you. Instead of assuming that ‘this will never work’, maybe consider that it might. I’m a bit of a broken record on letting the process be fun. This is your life and your choice to make. Have FUN! Why wouldn’t you allow for the possibility that dating might be fun?