PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Dating can be pretty darned funny – in fact, there are whole sitcoms dedicated to all the stupid choices we make in romance. One person's romantic regrets become another's hilarious half hour. But even while we're laughing, most of us recognize (and fear) the bad decisions that we see others make in fiction and in life. Because all of us have made some terrible decisions of our own – decisions that we will always regret.

Fortunately, unlike the characters in sitcoms and reality shows, you don't exist for the entertainment of others – and you can learn from your romantic mistakes. Here are a few lessons you should probably have learned by now:

If you've found love, you should go for it. A lot of people have a whispering regret in the back of their minds about not having committed to somebody they had deep feelings about. As life goes on, we realize that, though we had something very special with somebody, we mistakenly let it go to free us to search for something better – something that, often, never came along. The more you learn about life as you age, the more you know how to recognize a relationship that is truly special. By now, you should know not to let it go so easily.

Don't get yourself into unhealthy situations. When you're young or have been single only a short time, it can be difficult to resist placing yourself in undesirable and unhealthy (but very exciting) situations. Like dating your college professor, even though he was married. Or having a fling with the next-door neighbor's gorgeous, lonely wife. Or going off with that drummer who would never want to live the kind of life you wanted. As we get older, most of us get wiser…and learn to avoid those relationships which are unhealthy, unwise, or just plain wrong.

Don't turn somebody down when you might be interested. Some people, especially when they're very young, feel that they have all the time in the world to date and find somebody special. They meet people, and if somebody doesn't immediately pique their intense interest, they move on without giving that person a chance. Most of us probably have a long list of people we wish we'd given a shot – or taken a shot with. After all, you never know what somebody might be for you if you never give them the chance.

Get out of a bad relationship when you should. This is something that we've all done. When you're in a relationship, it can be hard to convince yourself that it's the right time to get out – even when you're unhappy. But staying in an unhappy relationship does nothing but waste time that you could be spending searching for Mr. or Ms Right. Next time, you know when it's time to get out – and it should be easier to make the right choice.

Don't over-think your romantic relationships. Some of us tend to listen only to our heads, when we should be listening to our hearts. Over-thinking things can sound the death-knoll of a relationship…being "too logical" about love is something that many of us have learned, over time, to regret. Sometimes things are right just because…they're right. If you're happy, let yourself be. Even if your head can't figure out why.