Authors of Love For Grown-ups: The Garter Brides’ Guide to Marrying for Life When You’ve Already Got a Life, Ann Blumenthal Jacobs, Ryan Lampl and Tish Rabe, handed over their expertise on finding Mr. Right with these dating tips for success.
Reach out
Always approach finding the right guy and dating as though you were looking for a job. This means not only reaching out to everyone you know to tell them you’d like to meet someone, but to consider all the possibilities available for you to meet new people. Try taking a class or volunteering for something you’re really interested in – not just because you think it would be a good place to meet someone. Even if you don’t meet Mr. Right in that Tuscan cooking class, you might be sharing a paring knife with his sister who has been dying to set up her eligible brother. If you do things that make you happy, it shows! And happy people are magnets for friendship.
Embrace blind dates
Be open to everything. We’ve seen how successful married couples are at fixing up single friends, so make sure they’re aware that you’re looking, and embrace the idea of blind dates.
Get to know yourself
Think about who you are as a person in the same way you would when speaking to a potential employer about yourself. Answer these questions: What are my interests? What do I like about myself? What are the things that are most important to me? Are there talents or interests I haven’t pursued? How can I use any of this information to help me meet new people? Delving into these questions will help you become more confident as you rediscover what makes you you – and what others will find attractive.
Be optimistic
Don’t let a past of bad dating experiences keep you from moving forward. Let go of the hurt and anger. Trust us, the guy who asks you out wants it to work out as much as you do, so just relax and make the best of it. Besides, if you don’t like each other, you never have to see one another again, and if you do like each other, remember that one date can change your life forever.
Don’t make excuses
Never make excuses for your dating life when it comes to kids, work, family or anything else. This doesn’t mean your kids or your job shouldn’t be priorities, but don’t use them as excuses to not date. Chances are you’re not going to meet an eligible bachelor when you’re home watching The Bachelor with your daughter.
Once you’ve met that perfect someone, keep these tips in mind:
- Always be upfront about yourself. If you’re divorced or widowed, have three kids or three dogs, don’t wait to reveal these important things about yourself.
- Don’t jump right to “What if my kids don’t like him” or “What if we get married.” Have fun and let the relationship take its natural course.
More dating advice
Love Happy: Fighting fair
Surefire signs he’s husband material
Telltale signs he’s just not that into you
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