If you’re single and looking for love, going on first dates can be daunting. You want to make a good impression, but you also want to be yourself – and that can be difficult to balance. Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable on a first date, so you can relax and enjoy yourself.
Choose a comfortable outfit that you feel good in
Making sure you feel self-assured and confident is the most important step in choosing an outfit for any occasion, especially a first date. The best way to achieve this is to pick something that makes you feel comfortable. With this in mind, go for items of clothing that feel right and look good on you – choose colours and styles that make you feel good about yourself. If you’re not sure what these are, start paying attention now to which clothes you reach for the most frequently and why.
You’ll be surprised at how much your mood and confidence will improve when you feel like you’re wearing something that brings out your inner beauty!
Do something to relax before the date, such as reading or listening to music
Before your first date, it can be a great idea to do something to relax and sooth any nerves. Taking a few moments for yourself can make all the difference! Try diving into a good book, listening to some of your favourite tunes, or practicing a form of mindful meditation. Even if it’s just five or ten minutes of taking time for yourself and calming down, you’ll be much more prepared to go into the date with a positive attitude and lots of energy. Enjoy!
Make sure you have enough time to get ready so you’re not rushed
A first date can be an exciting yet stressful situation, so make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to get ready beforehand. Being rushed only adds to the tension and can make it more difficult to relax and enjoy the experience.
Taking steps such as scheduling the event well in advance, setting a reminder on your phone, or even prepping some items ahead of time (laying our your outfit, preparing your bag etc) can help you arrive feeling calm and confident. Be sure to allow enough time to take a shower, fix your hair and attend to your personal hygiene and appearance.
Having enough time ensures that when the first date finally arrives, you will be able to focus on creating a good first impression without worrying about being late or unprepared.
Have an open mind and be willing to talk about anything
On a first date, it’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to talk about anything. Even if you don’t agree on all points of the conversation, the best first dates involve being able to talk through differences with mutual kindness and respect. This is why it is so important for all first daters to approach the time together with openness and enthusiasm – after all, you never know what interesting topics may arise or where the conversation may lead!
Keeping an open mind will allow first daters to discover more about one another, while also fostering healthy communication habits that could blossom into a mutually beneficial relationship.
Don’t drink too much alcohol – it can make you more nervous
When preparing for a first date, alcohol can often be seen as the perfect confidence booster; however, it’s important to remember that drinking too much alcohol can actually work against you!
It’s true that having a few drinks before your date might make things seem less intimidating, but an excessive amount will only increase your nervousness and make it difficult to appear self-assured. And of course, too much alcohol can cause you to act recklessly and out of character.
Instead of risking feeling overly anxious, or even saying something you might regret later on, try limiting yourself and keep your first date lighthearted. After all, it doesn’t take more than a little bit of liquid courage to be confident.
Be yourself and don’t try to be someone you’re not
Everyone gets nervous before a first date, but remember it’s important to be yourself and not try to be someone you’re not. When we attempt to impress by pretending to be somebody else, we may lose sight of our own unique qualities that make us special. A first date is a chance for you to share your true self with someone who cares enough to get to know you on a more intimate level.
So don’t forget, when the first date jitters kick in, just take a deep breath and know that the most important thing is to be the genuine you!
