First dates can be stressful as they are a blend of apprehension and expectations. You might find yourself fretting over everything – from the outfit you wear to the things you talk about. Nonetheless, there are ways to put your best self forward and feel confident in your skin.
Read on to learn about the essential tips that will help you feel good and confident on your first date.
Order Something You Enjoy
Typically, there are two goals of any first date – you want to have fun and get to know each other – and you can accomplish both objectives by ordering the food you like. You might want to check out Chuck E. Cheese’s menu with prices instead of opting for a salad or a smoothie.
Now, even if the date doesn’t turn out to be your type, at least you will have enjoyed the meal. You get the point – there is no need to make things complicated or stressful on your first date. Instead, you will want to be as real and true to yourself as possible by starting with getting the food you like.
You might be surprised to know that your date might like the same food as you – a win-win situation.
Keep an Open Mind
Of course, you will have set certain expectations and standards about your potential date – that is, if you aren’t going on a blind date. If you have met on an app and agreed to meet, you might already have “some sort of an idea” about who they are.
For instance, you know that they have a dog like you, and since they had loads of outdoor pictures, they might be outgoing like you. So, you might already catch the vibe that they could potentially be your “perfect” person.
But – wait a minute! What if the script doesn’t go the way you played it over in your mind for the umpteenth time before finally going on a date? What if the person turns out to be different from what you wanted them to be?
You get the point – while expectations are natural – you should never let those expectations become the determining factor for whether or not the date/ relationship will work out. Even if they vibe with you on the first date, there is still no guarantee that they might fit you and your lifestyle in the long run.
Sometimes, first dates can also be awkward – at first – but as time passes, things start to fall in place, and before you know it, you find yourself falling head-over-heels in love with the person and end up marrying them.
If you want to enjoy your first date and feel confident throughout, you will want to go on a date with a relaxed and open mind. The flexibility of your mind will allow you to be pleasantly surprised by the traits that your potential date might have, but you didn’t know existed.
Be Yourself
This point is directly linked with the first one – you will want to be yourself, as this is the only way to truly enjoy yourself on the first date – even if it doesn’t work out. You will want to follow some essential guidelines to be yourself on the first date.
For instance, you will want to be honest and not withhold any important information that might hurt your date if they were to find out about it later down the lane. You will want to be authentic and feel comfy in your skin.
If you feel nervous, you can also give yourself a pep talk in the mirror, play your favorite song on the way to the meeting spot, and remember that your date is just another human being and hence only as important as you make it in your mind.
When it comes to your outfit, you will want to dress in a way that makes you comfy and confident. A few rules to follow for ladies would be to avoid wearing too-revealing dresses on the first date, and as a gentleman, you will want to show your date that you put some effort into dressing up for her.
While choosing an appropriate outfit, you will want to keep in mind the location, weather, and what you want to do on your first date. Your shoes should be comfy so you can walk with ease – ladies – if you have never worn heels before, you will want to avoid wearing them on your first date.
You get the point – feeling your best is mandatory for feeling confident and good on your first date.
The Takeaway
As mentioned before, you will want to keep in mind that your date is only human, and they probably went through the same process of confusion and anxiety. Simply put – you are both nervous, so it is time to relax and get to know each other with an open mind.
