2014 Dating Resolutions
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. When it comes to dating in D.C., we all have one or two terrible dating habits. Consider kicking some of these habits as part of your New Year’s resolutions.
It is our Washingtonian nature to be workaholics. We work long days and as a result end up being unavailable for dates or significant others a large majority of the time. Although it is never good to be “too available” for dates, try to strike a balance between work and play. Not being available enough for dates can send the message that you feel that your career is more important than your date’s career. In a ladder-climbing town, this is a horrible message to send and can be a quick road ending in a breakup.
Change dating behavior
Once you are actually setting time aside to date, take a look at your behavior on dates. Are you still ordering more after two drinks? Do you bring up your problems right away? Acting like a sloppy mess leads to nothing. Your date will become easily uninterested in what you have to say because he or she will think you are not taking the date very seriously. To clean up your act, try asking an honest friend for advice. Generally, we all have at least one friend we can count on to tell us the truth about how others see us.
If you do not have an honest friend you can trust, please try to find one immediately. But in the meantime, there are some basic ground rules to being classy on a date. Do not consume too many alcoholic beverages. Two drinks is your safest bet. Also, wear clothing appropriate to the venue. Definitely leave your tube tops or jorts (jean man shorts) at home. Neither of those options is ever truly appropriate. And of course, be mindful of the language you are using. Keep the cursing to a minimum, especially on a first date.
Quit lying
Another terrible dating habit of which to rid yourself in 2014 is lying. Everybody is guilty of this on a first date. I have been on many dates where I can tell the other person is either over exaggerating an aspect of his life or completely straight up lying. At the time you may feel that this lie is just a small white lie to get you to the next step, but when you are caught in the lie, you are sure to get dumped. The other person may never tell you that he or she knew you were lying, but you will know when you end up alone on your couch with yet another pint of Ben and Jerry’s.
Date differently
Finally, reevaluate your standards. Many of us have a list long enough to replace the Dupont metro escalator. However, listing these standards can put you in a rut. It is silly to believe that dating the same kind of person each time will eventually produce different results. I am certainly not suggesting that you lower standards and hook up with someone you find completely unappealing. I am, however, suggesting that you keep an open mind and date outside of your comfort zone.
It can be hard to make New Year’s resolutions happen, but if you start thinking about these dating resolutions now, you may just end up having a full 2014 dating calendar.
Dating and Relationship blogger, Sara Maldonado is a writer and social media guru currently navigating the sea of men while having an affair with the city of Washington, DC. She enjoys coffee, laughter, and a good hair day.