Understanding dating and unlocking your potential

This is a must. It's the base of everything. No matter what your style is, being clean and fresh is non-negotiable. Take a shower, change underwear, brush your teeth. Nobody likes to feel like smelling the inside of a septic tank everytime you open your mouth (unless they have a fetish or something wild like that, then you do you). Work on your mental health before dating, the other person is not your babysitter or your therapist. Do NOT talk about your exes, do NOT talk about your insecurities. If you must say you feel a little nervous that's ok, it can make you feel relaxed and open up.

Failing means learning and learning is good. The first times are going to feel painful. Failing at anything is unpleasant, but it's the only way to get your feedback and improve yourself. Accept rejection as a part of the process and don't fear it. Try to analyze what went wrong and where you can do better to have a different outcome next time. Failing is the main part of becoming successful at anything really.

Leave the cliché openers where they belong: in the trash. Nobody is gonna sleep with you or date you just because you said 10 words you saw on the internet. Be straight forward, be clear about your intentions and about the reason you approached the person in the first place. Leave no space for misunderstanding. It's not what you say specifically but how you say it. Be confident, believe in yourself. Keep your style and your humour because that's what you're gonna actually have in 2 or 3 months time. You can't keep faking forever.

Start new hobbies, read a lot of different things and generally don't stick to only doing one thing in your life. Everybody wants to have an inspiring and interesting person by their side. Being able to converse about a lot of things opens up your chances in the dating market by a A LOT, don't be a one-trick-pony because you're limiting yourself. Having common things to talk about is really important in the long run, you can't rely on small talk forever.

Just because you're the one making the move doesn't mean the other person isn't afraid or stressed. Always make the other person feel as if they've known you for years. Pick up the conversation when it seems like it's dying and don't forget to let the other person speak. A person that feels they can let their inner child free is instantly a potential partner. Actively listen to the other person because it can always help you continue the conversation later and it shows you are able to care. Always face the other person as a simple human, just like you, not some kind of higher being

You might be the most cultivated, the most interesting, the most "you name it" person in the world, but the other person might still not be interested in you or even find you boring. Many will also reject you for your looks. That's ok, that's great actually. Not everybody matches. They save both of you time with the honest rejection. Do not play the "friendship" card, people are not machines that you put kindness coins in them and they'll eventually love you. Take the loss because it's only a battle and not the war. Move on, no hard feelings. If the person says no, it's a no.