1. Stay positive
Dating can suck but it also can be a lot of fun. There are so many things you can experience that you might not have otherwise.

Go into your date with a positive attitude. If you have an energy of already knowing it’s gonna suck, chances are it will. Make sure you give each person a fair chance by going into the date with a positive mindset. Even if you don’t end up marrying this person you can still have a great time.

Look for the good things while you’re on your date. Did you enjoy the food? Was the conversation stimulating? Did you go somewhere new? There are so many things about dates that are enjoyable, even if the person you’re with turns out not to be.

Quiz: First Date Outfit for Women

Quiz: First Date Outfit for Men

2. Be open minded
Sometimes when we are looking for love, we can get stuck on an idea of what and how it should look, both figuratively and physically. We might want someone with a certain style, body type or job. We might think that we need certain things in order to be happy with them, but that’s not always true. You might end up surprised by who you actually end up clicking with.

When deciding on a person to date, pay less attention to the external things like looks or money and pay more attention to internal things like their heart and mind. Do you have similar values and beliefs? Do you want the same things out of life? Do you have the same sense of humor? External things can change; the internal things are what really matter.

Quiz: What Qualities Do You Look For in a Relationship?

3. It’s okay to end it after the first date
Sometimes you just know after the first date, heck even the first few minutes, that things just aren’t going to work out with the two of you.

The person might be rude and disrespectful. If they treat you in this way, you do not have to put up with it and are always free to leave.

Sometimes they are a nice person but you realize that there is some type of deal breaker. For instance, you want kids but they don’t. Or you might not have the same religious beliefs. In that situation, usually it’s best to be kind and finish the date, but you don’t have to go on a second one. Unless you just want to date for fun, there would be no point as the long term potential isn’t there.

And if they do ask you out again, politely decline. Don’t feel bad, it’s better to be honest in the beginning than to build feelings for someone that wouldn’t work out long term.

4. Go on at least 2 or 3 dates typically
Unless it’s the situation mentioned above where you strongly feel there is no reason for second date, then give the person at least 2 or 3 chances.

Sometimes on a first date people are nervous and trying to impress. They might not act themselves as much as they usually would. Plus, going on multiple dates allows you to see them in multiple settings. Have one date at a restaurant and another at a park or arcade. You’ll get to see how they are in a calm setting and a more playful one.

Sometimes people just need a little time to loosen up. If the first date was good then obviously go out again. If it was just okay, it’s probably still wise to go out at least once more just in case.

If it was a good date but you just aren’t really feeling the person, it’s smart to go out with them once more in a different setting to give them a chance to show you another side of them.

If you still just aren’t connecting after 2 or 3 dates then it’s up to you. You can give it a little more time if you like them and feel like they like you. But, if it seems that you just aren’t really enjoying one another, then no biggie, best to move on.

5. Go to cool places
One of the best parts of dating is doing things you wouldn’t normally do alone or with friends. You can try new restaurants, romantic walks in beautiful places, amusement parks, arcades, harbor cruises, movies… the list is endless.

If there is somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, suggest it as a place for a date. Dating is a great opportunity to try new places and new things. Plus if it’s a place neither of you have been before then it will be a memorable experience.

It’s also a great time to go to some of your favorite places. A good way to impress a date is to take them somewhere that you really enjoy and show them why. And then have them take you somewhere they really enjoy. This will allow for a fun date that helps you get to know one another a little better while going to some cool places.

Quiz: Where Should You Go On Your Date?

6. Be vulnerable
It can be scary to open up to someone new. It can be uncomfortable when they try to get you to open up, especially if you aren’t used to it. However, it’s good to express yourself and let them know how you feel.

Let them know how you feel about the relationship and them once you’ve been dating for a little while. Be open and honest. Let them know what you expect from a relationship and ask them what they expect.

There are so many important questions that don’t really come up in casual conversation. Sometimes you can work it in and make a smooth transition into a deeper conversation, but other times you need to just come out and ask or say what you’re feeling.

Take a few risk. Do things that allow you to let your walls down and open up to another person. Yes, you can get hurt. Yes, they might not be worth it, but sometimes you won’t know until you try

7. Stop dating
If all else fails, stop dating. It might seem counterproductive but honestly, sometimes it’s the best things you can do.

When you’ve been trying so hard for so long to find your person, you can end up feeling a mix of emotions. You might feel frustrated, hopeless and even start to feel biased towards the opposite (or same) sex.

There comes a point where you’ve just been trying for so long that dating is no longer enjoyable. That’s when you should take a break and just enjoy life without spending so much time and energy on finding love. Sometimes when you do this, it allows love to find you instead.

7 Reasons Why You Should Stop Looking For Love

7 Reasons Why You Should Let Go and Let God When it Comes to Your Love Life