We are already a month into 2018, and for some, searching for love is the primary goal of their new year. Many set expectations that a new year will bring about new romance to their lives; however, they often neglect to change or improve their perspective on dating and relationships in order to make things work.
To truly find a meaningful connection in 2018, we must update our expectations and mindset on love.
After all, this is what a 'new year, new me' mentality is all about, and in changing our attitudes towards love, we may finally be able to take the right steps in gaining our healthiest and most successful relationships.
1. Change from being a 'hopeless romantic' to a 'realistic romantic'
Stop endlessly searching for that magical fairy tale — look for romance, but be realistic. Sadly, fireworks may not spontaneously go off during that first date, and your partner may not serenade you with a cheesy love ballad.
First and foremost, put in the effort to make a relationship work with your prospective significant other, and do not aimlessly expect a type of love that can only be found in movies.
2. Quit 'ghosting,' work on communicating
Communicate, communicate, communicate. Discuss your feelings, set guidelines, and never leave important things unsaid.
When you fail to talk to your significant other about what is going on in your relationship and what you expect out of them, you miss the opportunity to understand your partner entirely.
3. Stop racing to the finish line, take your time
In all aspects of dating, take the time to consider if a relationship is actually what you want. Often, we desire a connection so badly that we will jump at any relationship we can get in order to fulfill that need.
Rather than diving head first, dip your toes into a relationship — test the waters, and figure out if it is something that will be worth your time in the long run.
4. Aim for mutual respect, not self-absorption
Perhaps one of the most important steps is to create a mutual respect between you and your partner. Not everything should be about your wants and needs; rather, it should be about the both of you. Take care of yourself, but remember that relationships should never be one-sided — successful relationships involve two people working together.
5. Don't hold on too long, learn to let go
Healing will always take time, but it's also important to learn to let go if it's not meant to be. If a relationship doesn't work out, applaud yourself for trying to make it work.
Above all, don't get too caught up in the idea of someone. Instead, recognize the aspects that went wrong in the first place and use it to your advantage in your next relationship.
By changing your perspective on dating, you may find yourself feeling much happier in your future relationships. Aim to be realistic, slow down, communicate with your partner, respect your partner and ultimately, learn to let go. Don't forget that it's okay to be alone sometimes, too.
With a better and smarter approach to love, things will eventually fall into the right place no matter what.
