Whether you prefer to connect with friendly singles from all over the UK on the nation’s busiest phone chat line, Chat2Date, swipe away on apps, or an old school dating approach, you’ll need to raise your dating game to find your perfect match.
If you want to get lucky in love, it’s essential to you give yourself the best chance of meeting the right people to flirt with and date.
1. Love and accept yourself
Before you go looking for love, it makes perfect sense to spend some time practicing self-love. Lots of partner-dependent people jump from one failed relationship into another one before learning the basics of self-love.
You’ll dramatically improve your chances of attracting a loving partner, and a romantic relationship that’s happy and secure, if you totally accept your traits, behaviour patterns, relationship history and flaws.
Self-improvement offers countless benefits for yourself and your future lover. Building a loving self-relationship makes it easier to explore your sexuality, sexual desires and emotional needs. It also teaches you the importance of setting healthy boundaries, how to identify and honour your values, and your worth.
When you love and accept yourself, you won’t be in a desperate rush to pair up with the first person to cross your path. You’ll be content to attract someone special who was worth the wait.
2. Keep an open mind
To avoid dating different versions of the same person you once clicked with in the past, it’s vital that you keep an open mind when playing the competitive dating game.
To achieve dating success you’ll need to confidently steer clear of the fairytale chasing romanticiser, the checklist maximiser who’s perpetually looking for next ‘catch’, and the hesitator dater who hasn’t got a clue what they want.
Take your time to explore what you actually like, and what you want from a relationship, before setting out your stall on a dating site. It’s helpful to focus on what you need and how you want to feel in a relationship, rather than on desirable partner attributes/characteristics that you think will make you happy in love.
Create a dating profile that emphasises your uniqueness and what you want. Instead of wasting time maxmising your matches with 90% of dating site/app users who don’t know what they want, focus on appealing to the 10% of people who will undoubtedly think you’re fascinating, fabulous and fun.
Don’t be shy about letting potential suitors know what you’re looking for. Whether you want friendship first, a long-term relationship, or a casual NSA arrangement, it’s important to be upfront about it. The only people that will be put off by your honesty are those who want something different from the connection.
3. Value your time
Instantly raise your dating game by valuing your time and limiting your activity online. Rather than spending every evening searching for The One, commit to meeting any promising matches ASAP. If you haven’t arranged a date with someone you’re curious about or crushing on, within 48 hours of chatting, wish them good luck with their search and swiftly move on.
When chatting online, don’t be afraid to instantly screen out incompatible people before they waste your time and energy with flirty banter that’s meaningless.
While it can be exciting and fun to exchange phone numbers and message with someone you’re interested in for several days before a date, it can also create a false sense of intimacy that makes you feel invested in the connection from the off. It’s best to keep all communication on the dating platform until you meet on a first date.
On a first date night, value your time by being open about what you’re looking for – in a committed romantic partnership or NSA arrangement. If you both want different things, it’s pointless to pretend otherwise.
4. Cultivate a growth mindset
When you cultivate a growth mindset, every date becomes a rich learning opportunity. Having a positive approach to life allows you to see the benefits in every dating encounter.
That date with the hot guy/girl, who lacked an interesting personality, isn’t just another empty and wasted experience. By accepting that an unsuccessful date is a stepping stone, you acknowledge that you’re getting closer to finding the love relationship that you’re looking for.
5. Keep it real
On the occasion when chemistry and compatibility are aligned, there’s potential for success in the dating game. To raise your chances of that happening, plan dates that keep it real.
Ease off trying to impress your date by planning a lavish night out on the town. Opt for a shared experience that gives your date the opportunity to show off their qualities in everyday situations and settings. Doing normal stuff, like running errands and popping to the shops can be surprisingly fun, and will bring you closer together than on a romantic candlelit dinner date in a posh restaurant.
Discovering how compatible you are together in the real world, as soon as possible, means that you can relax and enjoy memorable dates together as the relationship naturally blossoms and grows and you raise your dating game.