For anyone who has tried dating in this day and age, chances are that you’ve been hit with the reality that most people aren’t really looking to settle down anymore. Dating has changed so much over the last 5 years. What used to be awkward first dates, waiting until a second date to make a move, walking up to the door to get them, has turned into just the opposite. Now we see Netflix and chill as a first date idea, getting a text that they are here and waiting in the car, and hookups.
What made this whole dating thing change? What took away the romance of dating? Since when were we so focused on getting physical with someone instead of seeing if they could potentially be the person we want to spend the rest of our life with?
We need to make dating romantic again.
Start by getting off the dating apps. Trust me, chances are, you won’t find the right one on Tinder. I tried that and it was a disaster. The people who fall in love on those apps are the lucky ones.
Go out with your friends; meet new people. You never know, that guy from across the bar might just be your next boyfriend.
Wait for the person who makes you smile just by seeing their name on your phone. Wait for the person who says the cheesy things and knows just what to say to make you laugh. Wait for the one who gives you the love notes, the one who is ready to go on an adventure with you. Wait for the one who will love you no matter what.
We need to stop focusing on the immediate gratification. The whole purpose of dating is to find someone to spend the rest of your life with, right? So why aren’t we doing that?
Why aren’t we going out and getting to know the person? Get to know what makes them who they are. Because let me tell you this, the one who is only trying to get in your pants is not your soul mate. Trust me. Don’t fool yourself with that.
If you are a hopeless romantic like I am, you feel like you’re in a special kind of hell in this day and age. You’re still hoping that your knight in shining armor is going to show up, holding flowers, ready to profess his love for you. Gosh, if only that wasn’t just in the movies.
So, make it your mission to make dating more romantic. Don’t settle for the boy who only wants you to come over and watch Netflix. Go out, for dinner, a walk down by the river, for coffee or drinks. Get to know the person.Don’t settle for just being the causal hookup. If you want a relationship, then you shouldn’t settle for someone who you know isn’t going to give you that.
Live your life and the right one will come along. Be the hopeless romantic. Because honestly, the right person will come along, and from what I’ve heard, it’s usually when you’re least expecting it.