First Date Tips

Whether you’ve found a potential partner through a dating app or through a mutual friend, first date nerves can get the best of anyone. Regardless of age, everyone and anyone might feel jittery in the days leading up to a first date.

If you’re one of the many people about to embark on a first date with someone new, try these first date tips to quell your nerves and make a lasting impression on your potential partner.

Before the Date

You’ve done it. You’ve landed a date. After the feelings of excitement quiet to a dull roar, you might notice butterflies of anxiety start to take their place. Are you ready to date again? Is the Sugar Daddy World a better fit for you? Is this person worth the effort? Are you worth the other person’s effort? These swirling thoughts might even be enough to make you back out at the last minute. Here are some key first-date tips to consider before the date begins.

Address your anxiety. First dates have a reputation for sparking anxiety in people, particularly those who suffer from social anxiety. After all, anyone might hesitate before they jump into the unknown depths at the end of the pool. Recognize that these feelings are natural. It isn’t necessarily the other person who is making you feel worked up. Once you recognize that anxiety is present, you can start taking the steps to feel calmer.

Reframe your thinking. Instead of thinking of your first date as a dive into the deep end of the pool, you should consider your first date as a shallow wade in the kiddie pool. Remember that your first date isn’t a commitment to spending the rest of your life with someone. Rather, a first date should be your first attempt at getting to know someone new. If you take the pressure off the importance of the date, then you’re far more likely to let loose and have fun.

Go somewhere familiar. When you agree on a day and time for the date, try to choose somewhere with which you’re familiar. This could be a walk in the park or a trip to your favorite restaurant. When you already know what to expect from the atmosphere, you will spend more time on getting to know your date than checking out the surroundings. If the date heads south, you can always rely on the familiarity of a location to help you in times of duress.

During the Date

Once you’ve arrived at your first date, the best thing you can do is be yourself. This advice is so common that it’s become a cliché, but few people will tell you why you should make the effort to be yourself.

The true reason you should be yourself? You want to start a potential relationship off on the right foot. Even fudging the truth a smidge can come across as inauthentic to the person you’re seeing. While everyone might suffer from first date nerves, your date will be able to tell the difference between nervousness and an outright lie. After all, the truth always comes out eventually. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.

At the same time, this doesn’t mean you should spill your guts on the first date. While you might want to share everything about yourself, your outgoing attitude might come across as a little off-putting. Building intimacy between partners takes time; instead of inundating your partner with too much information, allow conversation to flow naturally between you two.

After the Date

The whole idea that you should wait a certain amount of time before texting someone about a second date is baloney. If you felt a connection with your partner or want to see them again, most people take it as a compliment when you text them quickly. Even if it wasn’t love at first sight, you can still have a fun time planning a second date based on the information you two shared on your first outing.

However, it’s important not to fall too hard too quickly. While a small crush is nice, you don’t want to come on too strong. Set a time for your second date and try not to text them too much before your next meeting. After all, you want something to talk about on your next date.

Hopefully, these tips will help you feel better about going on your first date. Even if it doesn’t work out, keep in mind that a first date is a great opportunity to get to know someone. Who knows, this whole process might even make you more prepared for your next first date.