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

Ever notice how easy flirting and dating seems to be for some people? It's like a second language; they're able to come across naturally, read other people with ease, and look like they're actually enjoying the dating process! The fact is, communication is the key to any successful relationship. In new or "pre-relationships" however, non-verbal methods of communication are far more important than content. Simply put: it's not what you say, but how you say it. Think about it, you're in a social situation where you see someone you're attracted to - what do we do? It's rare that we… more

Remember the good old days when people used to call each other on the phone to communicate? When we didn't check our cell phones 783 times a day? When Blackberries and iphones weren't even invented and "Facebook" wasn't a verb? Whether we long for those days or can't imagine such a time even existed, technology is here to stay. And because a large part of our innate make-up as human beings is the desire to connect and communicate with others, it's only natural that technology has become a large part of that too.

In the dating world specifically, texting… more

We're all familiar with the quote, "You never get a second chance at a first impression." And while we might view this quote as somewhat harsh, and like to think of ourselves as forgiving, easy-going and tolerant, first impressions really do stick with us. Our initial assessments of people set our interactions on a certain path; once we've decided that a person feels, thinks or behaves in a certain way, we pay more attention to evidence that supports our theories about them. For instance, if someone doesn't tip well and that's something that offends you, you might think the person… more