Dating can be quite a daunting task for anyone. You spend time getting to know the ins and outs of an individual just for it to possibly not work out between the two of you. Let us be honest. Dating can feel like a waste of time, which many of us do not have enough of already. It is possible to enjoy dating without having the feeling of regret when it does not go as planned. Here are three tips to get you started in the right direction.
Date with Purpose
You have to add meaning to your dating life if you are wanting a relationship of substance. What does this mean? Well, what are your dating intentions? Are you dating without the intention of settling down with someone? Are you dating only to have a "friend" who you can call when you are bored? Are you dating with the intention of finding someone to eventually marry? You need to know! Oftentimes, we meet someone of interest by happenstance. It is almost always never intentional. We end up in situations with someone and we look up almost a year later just to wonder "where is this going?" Being intentional and having a clue about what you are looking for in your dating life can be a game changer and time saver.
Communicate your Plan
Have you ever gotten to know someone who took a fancy to you, but the feelings were not reciprocated? I think many of us have been there. Maybe it is a friend who now has deep feelings for you. Could be a co-worker who spent time with you at the coffee maker and now they can't stop batting their eyes at you. All of a sudden, they get the courage to ask you on a date. Do you go on the date or do you decline? It depends on your purpose for dating. You MUST COMMUNICATE where you are in your dating life. Respectfully decline the date if your "dating plan" is to be exclusively alone. Don't bother wasting your time or the time of the other person. Accept the date if you are looking for a short-term "companion". Accept the date if you are ready to have someone special in your life long-term. Communicate your intentions and what you are or are not looking for at the moment in your dating life. Express your intentions sooner than later!
Have Peace of Mind
It is not always going to be easy being single. Think about it. Christmas, Valentines, New Years. What do they all have in common? These are holidays in which there is an increase of single people displeased with their dating life. They typically want to have someone to call their own during these holidays. The need for someone to kiss under the mistletoe increase. The desire for a kiss when the ball drops in New York City increase. Wanting to deliver or receive chocolates and flowers on Valentines Day is always a bust when there is an expectation that it should happen but it does not. Regardless of what, the best life happens when there is peace of mind no matter the situation. Be ok with not having someone year round to share special moments. Be thrilled at the opportunity of having "selfish" moments where you do not have to "answer" to every beckon call of another. BE CONTENT! BE AT PEACE! BE THRILLED!
