What to do when dating someone new?

The dating world can be a lot to navigate, but it can also be exciting and fun.  There is so much vulnerability that goes into dating, and when you date someone new, the anxiety around that vulnerability is at its highest.  It is important to affirm and validate that anxiety because it is something almost everyone experiences.  Having that anxiety also helps you to take the date seriously and make sure you present yourself as you want to. 

It can be helpful going into dating someone new to think about how you want to present yourself.  This can include your appearance and what you are comfortable opening up about, and what you are not comfortable opening up about.  On the other side of that, it can be helpful to think through what you are looking for in someone you want to date.  When you think about this, it is crucial to think through your own values.  Try to think about what values are a must for you and what values you are willing to adjust to.  Thinking through those values can help you understand more about what you are looking for in a partner.

On your first few dates, it is important to keep in mind the anxiety around vulnerability.  As you keep that in mind, remember that the other person is likely feeling that too.  Due to that, it is normal for someone to seem a little off and nervous.  Try to affirm that as a normal part of the process rather than a bad sign.  With this kind of anxiety in place, it can take a few dates before you can really get to know someone and both of your anxieties starts to decrease. 

Try to enjoy dating and the different feelings that can come with it.  There are emotions when you date that you will never experience again if you end up with a life partner someday, so try to embrace them.  The anxieties can be a lot at times, but if you can reframe them as exciting, that can help you embrace them along the way.