When the want is bigger than the fear, it doesn't have to be bigger by a huge amount, just that little spark, and to my mind your already setting yourself up for the starting line, because your asking about it..... your thinking about it...... thinking is the start.

Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try : )

Wow, I've never thought of things this way. In the past I just had to do things: had to find a job, had to cope with sickness and death, had to find a new home. Other things I did because I just wanted to: wanted to learn fabric painting, wanted to start writing, and at the moment I really want to start living life again, not just surviving. Maybe that is why I made so many mistakes, I never considered the fact that I may not be ready for it. Great thought!

You're never "ready".

You just get up and try And fail. And try again. And fail. And try. And repeat a dozen times (or more).

But you're never "ready". And people WILL be cruel, but some will be kind. And lots will be clueless.

Just remember its ok to feel scared : )

You know when you are ready to make a change in your life when you keep questioning where you are currently at, and believe you are not in a good enough place.
If you keep thinking you could be living a better, more fulfilling life by making a change, then try it, do it. If it doesn't work out, you frequently have the ability to go back to where you were before.
People put too much weight and waste to much time into their decision-making. Most decisions are not life and death. Most decisions are not irrevocable, most decision just really aren't that big of a deal, we just make them a big deal.
If your unhappiness is greater than you believe it should be, make a change.
[Oh so much easier said than done : ( ]

When you find yourself taking action, you are ready. Thinking and planning are the same as dreaming if you don't take action. So, again, you are ready when you are into action.

Very seldom are we completely ready when we begin something big in our lives, like applying for a job, moving to a new home, or dating. We always have doubts, fears, unanswered questions, the possibility that we've overlooked or forgotten something, . . . The best we can ever do is plan and prepare and practice as well as we can given what we have to work with, and take the chance, with hope for success ever present in our minds.

I wonder if 'readiness' kind of takes care of itself? Like we live our lives and circumstances inspire some events? Like if we're alone and we'd rather be dating or meeting new friends, alone-ness is the circumstance and, depending on where we're at individually emotionally and whatever else is in the arsenal, we'll create an event that may present the change we want to see.

With more practical things - looking for a job: I do think it's best to gain as much self knowledge as possible. Emotionally, practically, expectations - whatever is important to the self.

These and similar, I think spark readiness.