Over the holiday season, I spent a lot of time with my friends in England, (its where I live). While we enjoyed a healthy dose of holiday spirits, the local English Markets, and great English pubs, it occurred to us  …We are all single!!!

Now, I am convinced that all my friends, male and female, are incredibly awesome.

But how is it that all these smart, talented, awesome people are single?

I suppose single life is more popular today then in years past, but I know my friends well, and it would not be to rash to say that all of us, to a degree, desired the holiday someone special. Oh, and by the way, I am not talking about a booty call. I mean the real someone special. Ordinarily, my friends could go on without thinking twice about it, but during Christmas, the holiday spirit just moves people. Of course, it does not help that the annoying Mariah Carey song played every other minute, but that is a different story.

In any event, the whole holiday season inspires just about all-single people to at least think about that special someone. The ideas of gift giving and gift receiving should be enough to inspire anyone, but if that is not enough there is always the new years smooch that is just a little to Sleepless in Seattle to ignore.

As a young single guy, I have dated my share of ladies. All of them have been awesome, but for a number of reasons, things just never worked out for the long term. Sort of by accident, I learned a few things over all my experiences. Now that 2012 is here, take five ideas to inspire some change. Let 2012 be your best year yet!!!

1.) Timing is everything: No matter who you are, or where you are at, its all about timing. Almost every relationship starts because someone triggered something in the other person, and there was a “spark”. So many stupid magazines, and books have theories about the “spark”, but it always happens.If there is a spark, you have to capitalize on it, other wise it comes and goes in a New York minute. Its just like the countdown to New Years day, you only got one shot to ring the new years bell. You can’t force timing, you can only accept it, or deny it when it comes. Seize the day, because you don’t know if you will have another chance. If you don’t feel ready, do it anyway, the worst thing that can happen is it doesn’t work out, and at least you tried.

2.) Get over your Ex and don’t be afraid of pain: Getting over your ex is one of the hardest thing to do. I suppose that explains why falling in love is so hard, the fear of the fall is sometimes just too painful to bare. Make 2012 your year!!! Don’t let your fears get the best you. You only have one life, make the most of it. There are 7 billion people on the planet, and there is someone out there! Be confident in that, and take some chances if they come around.

3.) Be vulnerable. Relationships don’t happen on accident, it’s a choice that people make. Perhaps the biggest deterrent to relationships and a main reason people say NO to relationships, is the ego or pride of someone insecure. Not being too accusatory, but us men are horrible at this. So listen up fellas, let 2012 be the year we leave our ego’s at the gym ;-)

4.) Sex is not a relationship: Duh!!!!!!! This point is so obvious it’s painful, but it’s like the cancer label on the cigarette package, it’s always true. People smoke for years, develop lung cancer, can’t be upset that they weren’t told. So don’t let yourself be doped, this is the cancer label warning. Regardless of what your friends say, random sex partners are just inadequate and the affairs confuse things. Whatever you think about sex, know this, just because your sleeping with someone does not mean you have a relationship. Unless you have had a DTR, (Define the Relationship talk) you are just sleeping together.Lets change the randomness, to a little something more serious!!!

5.) New options: If you always dated someone tall then have 2012 be the year you date someone short, if you like blonds try brunettes, just make some variety. Dating should be an exploratory process, it should be fun, don’t get pigeon hole yourself, because the perfect somebody might be right in front you, and you don’t even know it.

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.