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When the holidays roll around, it’s not hard to feel more “single” than usual. Family gatherings are filled with couples and the oh-so-dreaded question, “Are you seeing someone?”. You start to reflect on where you’re at in your dating life, and you may find yourself wishing you would have said yes to that coffee date or gone on that second date, even though you didn’t feel he was your “type.” Well, what better way to change up your dating life than to turn those wishes into New Year’s Resolutions?
Here are a few dating resolutions to adopt in 2018:
Delete your dating apps. Forget swiping aimlessly across your phone screen, turning dating into a numbers game of how many matches you can score. Ditch the messaging back and forth for weeks, developing a fantasy about who someone is, only to find out texting gave you a false sense of chemistry. It’s time to meet someone face-to-face.
Get out more. Now that you aren’t glued to your phone screen, it’s time to meet people the old-fashioned way. Go to that networking event or join that fitness class you’ve always wanted to try. Instead of ordering all your household needs on Amazon Prime, run that errand to the store – you never know who you might run into in the coffee aisle.
Say yes. Nothing is worse than looking back and wishing you would have gone out on that date, or attended that party, so just say yes! One affirmative answer could unwrap a bunch of new opportunities.
Be more spontaneous. You don’t have to have everything elaboratively planned out. Sometimes the best dates are the ones that are completely unexpected. Refer back to “say yes”!
Forget your type. Stop limiting yourself and the chance of meeting some really great people by being too close-minded. Do you like tall, dark and handsome? Open your heart to the possibility of short, light and handsome. Not liking someone for their personality is one thing, but completely ruling someone out because of their height or hair color is so 2017.
Don’t settle. You wouldn’t settle for a job you hate, friendships that aren’t real or a place that doesn’t feel like home – so don’t settle for a partner. Focus on finding someone you are truly excited about spending time with and getting to know better.
Make time. Everyone is busy. But if you really want to date, you’ll have to make time it. It’s all about priorities – if you consider dating a top priority, you will make it happen.
Be more creative. Try spicing things up and add more creativity into your dates – think beyond the usual drinks and dinner.
Go on that second date. Second dates are key to seeing who someone truly is. It allows you the opportunity to put the first-date jitters aside and you may find that you enjoy that person and have a lot in common now that you are more relaxed and confident.
Most importantly, don’t give up! Dating can teach you a lot about yourself – even if the date goes badly, it gives you the opportunity to further explore your likes and dislikes in a partner and meet various people along the way.