Single in Sydney: After a dating disaster Sarah does a dude detox but how long will the man-ban last?

AFTER last week’s dating disappointment, Sarah’s declared the next month a man-free zone. Find out why our adventurous ‘single-but-dating’ gal has enforced a man ban.

I’m taking a dude detox ... that’s a man-ban. Yep, I’m a ‘man-free’ zone.

• A mysterious lady with a book offers Sarah a helping hand
• Single in Sydney: 9 things you DON’T say to a single woman
• Single in Sydney: Was dating better in the naughties?

JOURNALIST Sarah Swain has been single (but dating) for longer than she cares to remember. That’s because it’s tough out there, as any single will tell you, so to bring hope to others across the city, she’s sharing her no-holds-barred adventures on the Sydney single scene every week.

I DECLARE A MAN BAN

I’M going on a man ban. A bloke break. Or maybe a dude detox.

You see, after last week’s events, I’m kind of over dating.

Well, for a few weeks anyway.

I know — sounds about as likely as Channing Tatum being cast in a remake of Splash, right?

But that’s happening and, so is this.

To be honest, I kind of feel like dating recently has been comparable to banging my head against a brick wall.

Except, when us single women bang our heads against that dating brick wall, we have to be all happy and smiley, outgoing and open — and willing to come away with a big fat bruise.

I’m going to concentrate on myself — instead of dating.

Dating coach Sarah Davis posted this on her Instagram.

And, once I decided that the upcoming month was going to be bruise-free, it was like a weight the size of Bachelor Richie’s ego had been lifted off my shoulders.

You see, I confess I’ve become rather fixated on fellas.

I was starting to go out with the sole aim of meeting one.

And what happened when I didn’t? I felt disappointed of course.

And, while my life is pretty great, I have, in the style of The Secret, got to be more grateful. (sorry to go all Oprah).

And there’s one for you! and you! and ... oh sorry, I got nothing.

And I was reminded of this by an Instagram post by that dating coach I visited, Sarah Davis.

It said: “Be your perfect partner first. Then when you’re not looking, he’ll walk in. And, in the mean time, get you sorted out.”

And I also read an article by a writer called Christina Patterson.

She had to wait until she was 51 to find love, and she wishes she’d enjoyed her younger days, instead of moaning about not having a man.

Retrosweat is an 1980s aerobic class in Bondi, Surry Hills and Alexandria.

“Never feel ashamed to be on your own. Being single doesn’t mean you’re unlovable or weird,” she wrote, (my troll commenters below, I reckon, will beg to differ on that).

She added: “Millions of people are looking for a partner.”

At this point, if I had the money, or the annual leave, I’d be heading to ‘find myself’ in an ashram in India, Eat, Pray, Love style.

But, I have neither so, I guess I’m going to look in Sydney instead.

And I’ve found quite a few things I’m going to do to take my mind off men during my husband hunt hiatus.

And none of them involve laying on the sofa with Prince Harry (the cat) watching Netflix.

I’ve already been out clubbing to dance and have a few drinks, rather than to look for a man- shock.

Dot to Dot has moved on since I was nine.

I went to Marquee at The Star’s winter ball

I’ve also started exploring volunteering through The Centre for Volunteering.

I’m heading to the Fifties Fair at the weekend and I’ve signed up for courses in terrarium and macaroon-making (not at the same time).

And I’ve started going back to Retrosweat, the aerobics class to ‘80s music.

The Fifties Fair is on Sunday in Wahroonga. Picture: James Horan

I’ve even been sent a Naughty Dot to Dot book if things get really bad.

I’m going to make myself happy for a few weeks. No man required.

Tweet me @swainey123