Dating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful. You’re looking for the love of your life, which is a lot of pressure. And, when you do find someone you like, you can end up so worried about making a good first impression that you forget you’re supposed to have fun! Here are some tips to reduce the dating stress and focus on the dating bliss.
Remember, dating doesn’t have to be —and shouldn’t have be— stressful. As long as you keep things in perspective, you should have no problem taking dating stress out of the equation altogether. Do so with these five considerations in mind:
5 Thoughts That Help Dismiss Dating Stress
1. You Are Perfect As You Are
There’s nothing wrong with you. You have your character flaws and you make plenty of mistakes, but there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with you. Nothing at all! You deserve to be happy, and if your date doesn’t see the beauty in you, he/she isn’t worth your time! Remember, God has someone for you, so don’t change yourself for someone who doesn’t see your marvels. Wait for the one who does.
2. There Are Always Second Chances
Do you ever find yourself consumed by perfectionism? You’re so focused on everything going ‘right’ that you let dating stress take over, and before you know it you go to pieces at the slightest hiccup. Remember, not every date has to be perfect. If the date night went wrong, but you like the person, ask them out for a do-over! If there wasn’t a connection, then congratulate yourself for having given the person a chance and ask someone else out. There are plenty of other opportunities for new dates and new partners, so don’t pin all your hopes on one event.
3. You Don’t Have To Date
Still feeling the dating stress? Take a minute to breathe and remember why you are doing this. It’s not a job interview or a race to win; it’s a time to meet people, to laugh, to see new places and experience the fund kind of butterflies. Dating should be fun, and if it stops being fun because it’s too stressful, take a break from it! Learn to enjoy the single life, free from the constraints of dating, and only go back when you’re comfortable again.
4. Things Will Rarely Go As You Expect
You probably have your own preconceived notions of how your dating experience should go. Additionally, you probably have lots of friends and family members giving you dating advice. All of this can give you a lot of expectations surrounding dating and romance. Unfortunately, things will almost never go the way you expect. Prepare for that eventuality by making sure you know your non-negotiables, and what you’re willing to be flexible on. While it’s important to stick to your principles and values when looking for love, you can also reduce dating stress by learning to let the little things slide.
5. Remember To Love Yourself
If there’s one thing to think about when dating, it’s this: you have to love yourself first. You can never be happy in a relationship until you’re happy with yourself. Learn to enjoy your own company and love yourself. Once you know how much worth you truly have, you’ll start dating people who see that value. And that’s the path to love.
With these five considerations in mind, your dating experience should get closer to the way it should be—far less stressful and far more fun. Commit them to heart, and wipe out dating stress for good.
You may also be interested in: 4 Fun First Date Ideas That Help Break The Ice
About the author: Sheila Blagg is a Divorce Mediator certified through the Ohio Supreme courts. She writes about online dating and life after divorce. You can follow her on Twitter.
