Dating can be such a tricky thing.
A voice on one side of your head constantly whines about how you’re putting little to no effort in finding a much-needed significant other; meanwhile, the voice on the other side boasts about your independence and how unnecessary relationships are at this time in your life.
But what I have here is a happy medium: date yourself.
It may seem a little intimidating at first, but, the truth is, dating solo can teach you a lot about not only dating in general, but also about yourself.
Here are some ideas and tips that will make you wish you started dating yourself a lot sooner:
Go to the movies.
At first, I thought going to see a movie on your own coincided with the somewhat depressing notion of sitting in a restaurant and eating by yourself. Althoughsome people find trying new restaurants a great way to date solo, I prefer going to see a movie on my own instead. I think it takes a certain amount of confidence to go to a restaurant by yourself; so, if you don’t feel up for it just yet, use a solo movie date as your stepping stone to get there. To be honest, they’re actually pretty awesome. Think about it: You can see whichever film you want, when you want; you don’t have to worry about interruptions or explaining what was missed; and, you can eat whatever the hell you feel like eating without worrying about any judgment from the person you’re with.
Explore the city.
Take advantage of living in such a unique place like Gainesville. There are so many places to explore such as boutiques (Henri Girl, Wolfgang) and one-of-a-kind eateries (Leonardo’s, SweetBerries). Exploring where you live will also give you a better idea of what kind of dates you like and dislike, so you can avoid the typical “What do you want to do?”/“I don’t know, you pick!” dilemma at all costs.
Be spontaneous.
This can take a bit of getting used to if you tend to be more reserved, but it’s definitely worth it once you break out of our shell. Want to go to the beach one day? Hop in the car, and just go!Forget about any worries. Forget about your future for a day, and just relax. Take this time to enjoy the freedom college life has to offer because everything will change once your four years are up.
Treat yourself.
You don’t have a significant other to shower you with unexpected gifts, so why not treat yourself? Whether it’s a day of pampering or a new video game, there is no shame in treating yourself like a prince or princess for a day (or two). Take advantage of your time as a single man or woman, and learn to love yourself; once you love yourself, others will be able to love you.
