Dating Articles

Human beings love to interact and connect socially with each other - it's one of our strongest and most innate personality traits. With technology moving at mach speed, we're constantly finding new and faster ways to communicate, and the dating world is especially suited to take advantage of all this technology has to offer. And as exciting as these new inventions are, (remember when texting wasn't even a part of our vocabulary and Facebook wasn't a verb?), we must stay mindful to protect our privacy, and of course ourselves, from those who might not have our best interests at heart,… more

Meeting someone for the first time and making a good first impression can seem challenging at the best of times. Humans being can be very judgemental, judging each others' appearances, career choices, financial status, social graces, intelligence, humour - the list goes on and on. Add in circumstance, mood and location, and it seems like a miracle that any of us ever connect at all! And while there is a certain amount of inexplicable influence on why we're attracted to certain people, like anything else in life, there are some helpful guidelines to enhance your first impressions.

First Impression Enhancers

Most of us assume the first one-on-one date we experience with someone holds most of the weight in determining the future success of that connection. We spend a lot of time planning our first dates, from location, to attire, to conversational topics - but we often overlook the step that comes even before the first date - the all-important first phone call. Some people prefer to text or email before meeting, but many prefer something a little more personal and human, which brings us to the fact that because so much can be said, it helps to have some clear… more

The term "open-minded" has been used a lot in the last several decades. As we (hopefully) become further enlightened as a society, and move from tolerance to some form of acceptance of peoples' differences, being open-minded seems to follow the natural order of things. But how open-minded are we really, or is it just one of those pop-psychology terms we like to throw around but tend to not reflect in our behaviour? Being open-minded to the people and situations in our lives can be extremely helpful in furthering our personal growth as well as strengthening our existing relationships, but as… more

Communication, as we all know (or should know), involves a balance of give and take, talk and listen, expression and validation. But how many times have we found ourselves in the midst of a communication gone wrong, where in retrospect we regret not having represented ourselves positively, or wish we'd treated the other person more fairly? Communication is really about negotiation; the expression of one's needs to another, and theirs to you. And whether you're asking for a raise or asking for a date, diplomacy is one of the most useful tools available to us for productive communication. By understanding… more

We all know it takes experience and practice to be good at something - and dating is no exception. Being single is not always the most comfortable state to be in, and there's certainly an unnecessary social stigma attached to it. We're often at our most vulnerable after coming out of a relationship, but being single is when it's really advantageous to be our most charming and confident. When we're venturing into unchartered territory, or revisiting a place we haven't been for awhile (singlehood), it important to stay in shape!

Exercises for Singles

1. Practice Positivity. We can't stress enough… more

We've written a lot of articles about how important it is to be aware of what we're looking for in a mate, in order to avoid miscommunication and false expectations. But what about when we live on the other end of the spectrum, when we're too picky? In such a disposable and "me" centred culture, it's no surprise that we're able to be so dismissive when it comes to the people we meet. When we subscribe to the media's message that everything (and everyone) in your life should fit into your own personal existence, we end up losing the point,… more

Dating can be competitive, and can even seem unfair at times. While some are born with great looks and seem to exude natural charisma, most of us need a couple dates in order to reveal what great people we are... Before you can reveal your wonderful self though, there are a few things which will help you get off on the right foot, and even out the playing field.

1. Stay fit and healthy. In addition to helping you look your best, staying healthy, eating properly and getting regular exercise shows that you care about, and take pride in yourself.… more

Let's face it - we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be "perfect" in this culture. We tend to place value on things like lots of money, societal status, a great home, and of course - a great relationship. But when we think and worry so much about our future, constantly trying to shape it so we can "one day" be happy, it can affect our ability to not only enjoy and appreciate what's happening in the present, but even cause us to sabotage it. This mentality can permeate every aspect of our lives, from our work to… more

As we get older, we often search for more clarity about our lives and ourselves. We start recognizing patterns in our own and others' behaviour, and even experience shifts in our belief systems. The old saying, "If it ain't broke don't fix it," may be true to some extent, but what happens when we find ourselves repeating the same behaviour with no better outcome? It often helps to understand where our behavioural patterns came from, who taught them to us and why, and to really figure out if they're relevant in our lives any more. When it comes to dating… more