If you want to jump on the love express to find love, the best way is to always be authentic. You probably thought this blog was going to be about pretending to be someone you are not just to impress your date. Admittedly, first dates are a tough thing. You want to be yourself, but you also want to maintain a certain level of formality and put your best foot forward. It can be difficult to balance making the best first impression and balancing that with representing yourself in a truly authentic way. From the very first minute you meet someone, you are establishing the groundwork and setting the tone for the rest of the relationship’s development.
You may be asking yourself, what does it mean to be authentic? In a nutshell, being authentic means being your genuine self. Authenticity comes from within. It means that what you do and what you say is harmonious with your convictions and beliefs. Being authentic to find love is being who you truly are, not what you wish you were or what you’ve been told that you have to be.
Showing up as the authentic and real you on a date begins with a little preparation. Let’s start with the basics. Ask yourself what is important for me in a relationship? What do I value in a partner? When you date with this level of clarity, you show up as the real you and the quality of your dates will step up a notch or two. Once you understand your motivation for even going on the date, chances are that you be on board the impress express without even really trying. .
1. Be Yourself For Real
Authenticity is magnetic. Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to impress your date. Be your true self. Show your unique qualities, interests, and your sense of humor. Don’t forget, being genuine makes things feel more comfortable and will help your date open up as well. This is how you jump on the love express to find love.
2.Set the Stage
Your outfit shows your personality and that you put in some effort. Dress for what you’re doing while staying true to your style. Make sure your outfit is clean and fits you well. This will help you feel more confident and show that you value your date.
3. Practice active listening
The key to communication in any setting is active listening. It keeps you engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way. It also makes the other person feel heard and valued. During active listening, your non-verbal behaviors are just as important. To show the person you’re truly tuned in, use open, non-threatening body language. This involves not folding your arms, smiling while listening, leaning in, and nodding at key junctures. It can also be helpful to pay attention to your facial expressions.
4, Withhold Judgment
Remaining neutral and non-judgmental in your responses enables the other person to feel comfortable with sharing their thoughts. It makes the conversation a safe zone where they can trust that they won’t be shamed, criticized, blamed, or otherwise negatively receive
5. Make sure the conversation goes both ways
A promising sign on a first date is when there is an equal amount of talking from both parties. Be sure to ask many questions and share information about yourself and stories, but give your date space to speak as well, whether it be asking questions or leaving moments of silence. Watch out for this, especially if you’re an extrovert who loves to talk.
In summary, always remember to stay true to your beliefs and express your feelings and thoughts with conviction. When you fully embrace yourself—your hobbies, your interests, your values—you will become more and more confident in who you are and you won’t be as hesitant to share these aspects of your identity. You will come to know that you are more than enough and can date and pursue relationships just as you are.
