Dates can be a little frightening, right? You are attempting to get to know someone while also allowing them to get to know you without revealing too much about yourself. Even if many of your dates result in you being bored out of your mind and wishing you had stayed at home, one of those dates may result in you meeting ‘the one”. Is that not that a far less intimidating concept to consider?
It is no surprise that most of us experience some level of nervousness in the days leading up to a date, especially if it is our first date, even if we consider ourselves to be confident people. This is really typical, and in fact, it is natural – but if you are overly worried, you run the risk of ruining your evening completely.
While it is true that occasionally it is necessary to fake confidence, here are some dating advice and steps you may take to feel genuinely more confident.
Prepare to make a good first impression
We are not talking about clothing to impress your date, but rather dressing to wow yourself. While it is important for you to make a good first impression, you should also dress in a way that you are comfortable in and that makes you feel good about yourself. Wearing a pair of 5-inch strappy sandals will make you seem and feel uncomfortable if you are not used to wearing heels. Even if all of the dating advice websites and publications encourage you to dress conservatively, we say forget it and wear whatever you like. If you have a stunning cleavage and want to show it off, go ahead. If you have the perfect set of pins and want to wear that tiny skirt, then go ahead and do so. If you feel good about yourself, you will look nice and exude confidence.
Do not overthink your plans
You must plan where you will meet and when you will meet, but you should avoid planning the entire date down to the smallest detail. When every minute is micromanaged, it takes the enjoyment out of it. If you go to a restaurant and things are going well, you can find yourself in a pub or going for a walk afterward. Do not overthink the discussion; have some topics and questions prepared in case the talk goes a little stale, but it is always advisable to go with the flow a little bit unless doing so makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.
Do not overthink things
One of the worst things you can do after a date, regardless of whether it went well or was a complete disaster, is to try to figure out what went wrong. You will begin to focus on every minor detail and will eventually drive yourself insane. Consider scheduling something enjoyable to do the following day, such as a workout at the gym or a coffee date with your best buddy. It will assist you in diverting your attention away from the situation and prevent you from checking your phone every ten seconds to see whether they have called or messaged you.
