Dating can be difficult and may sometimes feel like a merry-go-round that never ends. If you’re feeling stuck as to how to have positive dating experiences, it might be time to rethink how you’re going about it. While Marie Kondo shares tips and tricks on how to tidy up your home, have you ever considered tidying up your dating life? If not, you’re in luck because we’ve curated four simple steps to help you, Marie Kondo, your dating life!
Identify Core Values and Deal-Breakers
This will help you set guidelines for yourself and your dating experiences so that you’re not wasting your time on dead-end dates. By establishing your core values, you’ll be able to recognize what is most important to you in regards to your life and goals. For example, the way you manage your money, if you want children, or how you maintain a work/life balance are all a part of your values and can impact your relationships both negatively and positively. Speaking with a potential partner about these topics is crucial as it allows you to understand whether or not you’re on the same page and compatible down the line.
Deal-breakers shouldn’t be based on superficial qualities like height or hair color. They instead should be based on your core values as they typically go hand-in-hand. It’s important that you define and remain firm on your deal-breakers; otherwise, you may find yourself resentful in a relationship and feel as though you’re compromising what’s most important to you. Keep in mind that you are ever-changing and growing as a person, which means your values and deal-breakers have the potential to evolve with you. Be sure to consistently self-reflect on what means the most to you to successfully navigate the dating world.
Put Love Back into Yourself
It’s essential to have a love for yourself before you can invest in another person. Taking the time to give yourself some extra TLC before jumping into a relationship, allows you to be the best version of yourself. You can do so by establishing a self-care routine that leaves you feeling happy each day.
Find clothes that make you feel confident by trying out a new style. Go through your closet and pair wardrobe-essentials with unique pieces outside of your comfort zone. You might just find something you never thought you’d like! If you have skin troubles, like acne or wrinkles, invest in quality skincare products that are tailored to the needs of your skin. Getting a jump start on a solid skincare regimen can help boost both your collagen production and your confidence, leaving you with a radiant glow.
Finally, pamper yourself with activities you enjoy, such as journaling, exercise, or reading. In doing so, you could find yourself connecting with another individual based on mutual interests. Ultimately, self-care is limitless and is about what makes you happy.
Know When to Let Go
Letting go is important in all aspects of life, but especially when you’re looking for love. To allow yourself to enjoy new experiences, you have to declutter both your physical and emotional space. Regardless if you had a bad break up, or you think ‘the one’ got away, evidence of your ex can and will hinder your growth and ability to move forward.
Consider cleansing your social media by untagging photos, changing your relationship status, and even unfollowing your ex to remove the constant reminder of the past. Throw out, return, or donate items you may have that makes you think of them, such as their old hoodie, memorabilia, or the toothbrush they’ll never need back. If you have items you cannot bear to part with, try saving them in a box that’s out of sight out of mind until you’re ready to say goodbye. Giving yourself the time to let go and heal is vital in preparing to meet someone new.
Use Services that Bring You Joy
If you’re ready to dive into the dating world again, chances are you will be using dating apps to meet new people. You will have your fair share of good and bad interactions, no matter which online dating service you choose to use. What’s most important is to channel one of Marie Kondos’s core tenets and ask yourself if the apps you’re using truly bring you joy. Should you find yourself in a situation where you’re swiping left more often than not, and/or participating in lackluster conversations, consider removing yourself from the situation and explore other dating services.
