You’ve fallen in love, and you can’t wait to spend the rest of your life with that special someone. But what if your other half isn’t as excited about taking the next step? Or what if he or she pressures you into doing something that you aren’t ready for? The nine things you should know about dating help ensure that you never find yourself caught up in an unhealthy relationship or pressured into marriage before you are ready.
1) Be open-minded
2) Chemistry is important, but compatibility is key
Chemistry is important, but compatibility is key. The best relationships are those where you have a solid foundation built on shared values and goals—not just a physical attraction. Focus on finding that first and then go from there. It may be challenging at times to find someone who shares your core beliefs, but it’s worth it in the end. There are plenty of fish in sea if you’re open to it!
3) Don’t give up too easily
It’s easy to walk away when things don’t go your way, but some relationships are worth hanging in there for. When you give up too easily, you might miss out on love. If it is possible to make a relationship work with effort and compromise, don’t throw in the towel too quickly—try to get what you want while being reasonable about what your partner wants. Find ways to please each other while respecting boundaries and keeping lines of communication open.
4) Keep your eyes open for warning signs
Just because your date is hot, doesn’t mean he or she is right for you. Take it slow and be sure to observe your date during social gatherings. Do they make an effort to speak with other people in a friendly manner? Are they respectful of others’ opinions and feelings? Pay attention to how they treat waitstaff, as well as servers at any venue you visit. It can reveal a lot about their character if they are rude to someone who isn’t directly interacting with them.
5) Don’t be afraid to be yourself
Some people will love you for who you are, and some people won’t. That’s life. Make it clear to your date that you are not trying to be someone else; just be yourself and hope your date can appreciate what they see when they look at you. It really is that simple! If they don’t like what they see, then let them go – there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
6) Take it slow
Marriage is a long-term commitment, and not one to be entered into lightly. If you think marriage is something you want for yourself or your children, get to know each other slowly. Spend time together every day: whether it’s talking about your day, cooking dinner together, spending time with friends and family or simply relaxing at home after work. Your spouse should be one of your best friends!
7) Don’t look only at physical appearance
It’s important to learn about your date’s interests, background, and personality so you can get to know them for who they are. A good time to talk is over a glass of wine at a restaurant or bar. Once you have a good sense of each other as people, you can then ask yourself: Is he or she someone I’d like to be married to? Would I be proud if my parents knew him or her? Does he or she treat me with respect?
8) Show affection early on
Showing affection is an essential part of a healthy relationship. In fact, a study by Scott Haltzman, MD showed that people who held hands or kissed within their first five dates were two to three times more likely to be in successful relationships six months later. Show your interest in someone right away and you may catch their attention for good.
9) Don’t forget about your friends
If you have a significant other, don’t forget to include your friends in your relationship as well. If you’re just dating someone casually, it can be tempting to make all of your time with them—but if you don’t see your friends anymore and they start hearing rumors about how much time you spend together, they might begin assuming that something more serious is going on.
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