Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

Dating Rules, You Should Follow Based on Real Experience..... Dating today is the most complicated it's ever been. Anyone who owns a phone knows that truly connecting with someone—and seeing them consistently enough to build an actual, exclusive relationship (gasp)—is tougher than an overcooked steak. But that's where dating rules come in: When you have guardrails in place to help you stay in your lane and protect you from less straightforward souls, the road to finding The One becomes much easier to navigate. Now, if you're struggling to figure out your own dating rules, I might be able to help you out. I coach a lot of women (and men!) on how to cultivate a healthy dating life, because unfortunately, you can't depend on Cupid to make all the magic happen (if only it were that simple...). These are the top dating rules to consider in this wild world of modern romance. Choose the rules that work for you, ditch the ones that don't, and of course, experiment as needed to find your own. There's no right or wrong here... 1. Date multiple people at once..... Yes, you heard me! Before you enter an agreed-upon monogamous relationship, do yourself a favor and play the field. Because here's what's most likely to happen if you don't: You meet someone you really like, you go out with them again, things escalate, and then—bam—they either pull away, ghost, or tell you they're not looking for something serious. Now you're crushed because you're emotionally invested in them—but they haven't invested at all in you. When you're even the slightest attached to a person, the disappointment stings. Spare yourself the hurt by putting a metaphorical egg in several baskets. 2. Keep dates short..... I like to tell my clients not to let dates go on for more than 90 minutes. Why? That's enough time to get to know the person on a surface level and (hopefully) feel a spark, but not long enough that your brain starts getting carried away with the excitement of the potential. Dinner dates that spontaneously turn into a five-hour bar crawl or movie night can be incredibly fun, but they can also leave you in a state of confusion and despair if nothing develops from the marathon outing afterward. 3. Be upfront about wanting a relationship..... If, that is, indeed what you want. There's nothing to be gained by hiding the fact that you're ultimately looking for your forever person, but there's a lot you can lose by it. For one, your emotional sanity when the person you've been dating digs their heels in keeping things casual, and two, a lot (sometimes a LOT) of time. If you're worried that telling a potential partner you want a relationship , because you think it'll scare them off or make you seem desperate, let go of that idea. Anyone who bails when you're honest about your intentions isn't someone who would stick around in the long run, anyway, so you're doing yourself a solid. 4. Avoid talking about exes on early dates..... An oldie but a goodie dating rule, for a reason: Talking about past relationships and breakups gets heavy fast, and the first few dates should be light and easy. Sure, finding out how someone's last few major relationships ended—and opening up about how yours did, too—is a great way to learn about the person and connect on a deeper level. But there's plenty of time for that later, so hold off for the first handful of dates. 5. Pay more attention to follow-through than advanced planning..... I totally understand why some women might not want to accept a last-minute date (or have a Three-Day Rule, or some such), but I wouldn't write off someone based on how far (or not far) in advance they initiate a date. Some people are just not great planners! And everyone knows how hectic life can be. 6. Don't feel obligated to send a thank-you text..... Oh man, the thank-you text. Is there any text more debated and controversial than the one that directly follows the first date? I know some people think the woman absolutely should send one shortly after the end of the first date to let the other person know that she's interested, and then others think it should always fall on the guy (assuming you're pursuing a male prospect). 7. Give them two weeks to reach out again..... I know, I know—two weeks?! But hear me out.... Even after a great date, someone might need to figure out how compatible they think you two might be and what plans they can make. I urge you not to read a whole lot into how quickly they text you—as long as it’s within two weeks. That's plenty of time for a person to have decided whether and when they want to see you again. 8. Wait at least a few dates to have sex..... I'm not anti- first-date sex, but I'm also not necessarily for it. As a therapist, I know that it's it's very, very important to truly know not only someone's intentions but also whether their actions align with them, and that's hard to figure out upon first meeting them.