The dos and don’ts of dating in 2022

LOCKDOWN restrictions being lifted means there will be plenty of singles looking for love in the post-pandemic world and more possibilities to find that perfect partner.

To mark that and this year’s Valentine’s Day, Eastern Eye got expert organisation Made My Date to give 22 tips for those who are looking for love in 2022, with a list of what to do and things to steer clear of.

Don’t…let the last two years deter you from finding love. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to cherish life. Reflect and really think about what is important to you. If you’re single and want to look for love, make it a priority and don’t be afraid.

Do…be your full, authentic self. Being true to yourself and confident in who you are is one of the most attractive qualities. And people are super attracted to confidence.

Don’t…limit yourself. Keep your options open and remember one way of finding a date is not necessarily right for everyone. There are so many options, including online dating sites, apps, recommendations, blind dates, meeting someone when socialising and more. The world is your oyster.

Do…remember to have fun and that dating should be exciting. Although the end goal is to find a perfect partner, it’s important to enjoy the journey. Plan fun dates and do things you both like. If your date isn’t ‘the one’, at least you will have some fun experiences.

Don’t…be in a rush. It takes time for a relationship to develop. Get to know the person and take note of any red flags or signs that the person you’re dating isn’t up for a long-term relationship. If it doesn’t feel right, move on. Remember your self-worth and find something more compatible.

Do…take time to think about your absolutes when it comes to relationships. Use this to focus on someone that has qualities you are looking for when dating.

Don’t…dismiss someone after just one date! Instead of jumping to a conclusion, consider that the other person may have been extremely nervous or just having a bad day. Unless it is obvious things won’t work out, have a second date to really get a feel for that other person. Many successful marriages all started on a bad first date! Who knows, you could be one of them too, one day.

Do…be adventurous! When it comes to planning a date, think outside the box and book an activity you haven’t done before. Need inspiration? Subscribe to the @made_my_date mailing list and let your inbox be filled with fun dating ideas.

Don’t…be afraid to let others know you are looking to date. Your circle may know others of a similar mindset and interests, so tapping into your network might just work best for you.

Do…listen more than you talk for the first few dates. It’s important to genuinely get to know your date, understand what they are passionate about and whether that is in line with what you are looking for. Give your date attention and give yourself a chance to really get to know them.

Don’t…take someone else for granted! Like you, the other person is trying to date in difficult times and don’t want their time wasted, so be considerate. If something doesn’t feel right, be honest and give the chance for you both to move on.

Do…set healthy boundaries. Those who feel they give more than they receive in dating and relationships, may have difficulties setting healthy boundaries. It could be time to work on yourself first. There is plenty of help available like the Made My Date ‘Coaching for Dating’ service, to set boundaries and provide tools to help improve your dating.

Don’t…get too attached too quickly. It’s healthy to keep your options open at the early stages of dating. Commitment should come after you’ve seen real potential in the person you’re dating and after an honest conversation about where you both want things to go.

Do…give yourself a break from dating when it’s needed. It’s very important to have a balance in all areas of your life. If work or personal circumstances demand it, taking a break from ‘putting yourself out there’ may well be the best thing you can do. Stretching yourself thinly doesn’t do any favours to you or any of your dates.

Don’t…be too rigid when it comes to partner requirements. Don’t be quick to dismiss the person if they have not ‘ticked off’ all your boxes as most relationships grow and evolve with time.

Do…end things amicably if it doesn’t work out with someone. They may not be right for your romantic life but could still be a good work connection or friend. It’s a great way to expand your social circle and potentially meet a new love interest through that link in future.

Don’t…leave everything to ‘fate’. Yes, it’s true you cannot force love and relationships, but if you don’t make any effort there is nowhere for love to grow from. It’s important to be resilient and continue to put yourself out there in healthy ways.

Do…go with the flow! It’s important not to put too much pressure on expected outcomes. Let things develop naturally and if they don’t, let things be natural too.

Don’t…be too hung up on dating rules. Believe it or not, there are no wrongs or rights. If you want to kiss on the first date, go ahead. If you don’t feel comfortable getting too close that’s okay too! Know what’s right for you and communicate it to your date in a polite and friendly way.

Do…put effort in to find out what you need from your date. That way you will know whether it’s worth pursuing things further. Bring up topics important to you casually in conversation and see how your date responds.

Don’t…take too long from matching and messaging to long phone calls and meeting for the first date. Things can get interpreted very differently in messages and that’s why having a conversation over the phone or in person is better. Don’t take too long to get to that point.

Do…love yourself. The first step to finding love is loving yourself. Be confident and appreciate how amazing you are. Do that and it will reflect to others. Believe in yourself, believe in the beauty of love, and believe the right person is out there for you.

Follow Made My Date on Instagram: @made_my_date, Facebook and LinkedIn:

@MadeMyDate and www.mademydate.net or email info@mademydate.net