Dating advice for 20 somethings can be hard to come by. With the ever changing landscape of dating it can be difficult to know what to do and what not to do. This is why we have compiled a list of the do’s and don’ts of dating to help you navigate your way through the dating world. So whether you’re looking for love or just a fun night out, be sure to check out the rest of this article for the best dating advice for 20 somethings!
Do make yourself available
The days of being able to sit on a couch all night on a first date are long gone. We live in a day and age where things move at a much faster pace and it takes time to get to know someone new. Set up a time to talk with your date in the day time so that you both can get a sense of each other. If you want to ask a question about something you saw on their Instagram, make sure you do it when you’re face to face so they can see how genuine you are. The more you can do to make yourself available, the better!
The most important thing is that you make yourself available to your client
This is the most important thing no matter what, even if it means doing things you may not want to do. While you may not enjoy giving massages, it’s important for you to be available and willing to help your client. Just because you aren’t interested in pursuing a relationship with that person doesn’t mean you should let them down by not being available. Set your boundaries before you date, and allow your clients to help you set those boundaries by asking questions and listening to what they have to say.
If you have a working phone number, then you should use it
It doesn’t matter if you text the person or call them, as long as you consistently keep them updated. If you are not available to talk, then make sure you let them know why. You don’t want someone to assume you are just busy or not interested and not tell you so. If they are really interested and you aren’t available to talk, then they should want to spend time getting to know you better and not waste too much time wondering if you’re interested or not.
Email addresses are also great to have
If you’re not used to sending and receiving emails, or if you don’t like to use social media, setting up your own email account is a great idea. You’re less likely to receive spam if you use your own email address and you can easily update your contact information when you move or change jobs. Plus, if you want to take things a little further, you can have your emails forwarded to your smartphone or a shared inbox for work that you can access from your smartphone.
Set up your social media profiles, if you haven’t already
Nowadays, most people use social media to build and maintain their personal and professional networks. If you’re looking to date someone, then it makes sense that you should make your online profiles as visible as possible. This could include your profile on a dating website, your Facebook page, Instagram, or even just a profile on a well-known service like LinkedIn. The more visible you are online, the more likely someone will reach out and make contact.
Don’t go alone
Even if you’re meeting in person for the first time, don’t go alone. Ask your friends or family to go with you, or, if that’s not an option, find a local coffee shop or restaurant where you can meet people with ease.
Whether you’re staying at home or hitting the road, you may be worried about your safety
You may be wondering, “I’m a single woman traveling alone, what are the risks?” As a millennial woman, you’re probably already aware of the risks that come with traveling alone, especially after everything that’s happened in recent years. You’re more aware of these risks due to the media that we’re exposed to. It’s not a question of if you’re going to be a target, it’s a question of when. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to be aware of the risks. You have to be prepared to protect yourself. If you’re planning on traveling alone, always stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. Try to always walk with a buddy where possible. When you’re not with a group, walk with confidence and let people know that you’re aware of your surroundings.
If you are traveling with friends, consider asking them to go in a group
If you don’t feel comfortable going out alone — especially to new places or bars and clubs — then you should definitely consider asking your friends if they would be up for going with you. Otherwise, you could potentially put yourself in an unsafe situation and have no one with you to protect you.
Make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return
It’s always a good idea to let someone know where you are and when you plan to return. It can feel a little intimidating to talk about your plans, especially if you’re a shy person, but the more comfortable you feel letting your partner know where you’re going and when you’ll return, the better. The more comfortable you are, the less likely you’ll feel anxious or worried and the less likely you are to push your partner away when they try to ask where you are or return home.
Do have clear boundaries
Do define what you’re looking for in a relationship and what you expect from your partner. It’s not fair for you to expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself. Relationships are about building a partnership, not living in a bubble of your own expectations. If you can’t be yourself, how can you expect someone else to be who you want them to be?
Know what your boundaries are
It can be tempting to give your partner more information about your personal life than you would to a friend or casual acquaintance, but it’s important to know what information is off-limits. You can’t give away intimate details if you don’t know what they are. Even if you know someone well, it’s not a good idea to give away too much information about your life. If you feel like you’re getting into a relationship too quickly and giving away too much information, it’s time to reevaluate if this is a relationship you really want. Your boundaries are yours and yours alone to set.
Get support
It can be hard to know where to turn when you’re struggling with something, whether it’s a relationship or just a bad breakup. Being alone can make it even more difficult to feel comfortable talking about your feelings, and it’s important to know that it’s absolutely not a sign of weakness to ask for help. If you’re struggling with something that you’re afraid to talk about, you can contact a therapist who can help you work through it and try to put it behind you.
Set clear limits
Having no limits, or setting clear limits in a way that isn’t clear to the other person, can lead to confusion, frustration, and hurt feelings. While you may want to be intimate with someone you date, it’s important to set clear boundaries that neither of you will feel uncomfortable with. If you’re afraid to say no to sex or to give someone the cold shoulder after they do something you don’t like, it’s important to speak up about these boundaries. If you’re not sure what your boundaries are, it’s okay to ask your partner what they are, too.
Be consistent
It’s much easier to feel secure with a partner who has clear boundaries if you have them as well. And consistency is key to having boundaries, especially when it comes to communication. If you’re not good at asking questions or expressing your needs, then neither will your partner. You need to understand that just because your partner is willing to stay committed doesn’t mean you’re entitled to everything you want or need. Being able to communicate your needs and concerns is vital to having a healthy relationship.
Do stick to your budget
It’s perfectly fine to talk about your budget when you first start dating someone, but be honest about your financial situation and how you plan to spend your time and money. It’s not fair to ask your partner to pay for dates or take you out if you’re not willing to put money toward it. And if you’re planning to date more than one person at a time, you should make sure you’re always paying for yourself.
Track your spending
It’s absolutely possible to track your spending, and most mobile apps make it simple. You can track your expenses by category, and if you’re not comfortable with the idea of a digital ledger of your personal finances — that’s fine! You can still track your expenses the old-fashioned way using the receipts you receive from merchants. Whatever works for you, just make sure you have a good handle on where your money is going. That will help you figure out where to cut back and how to save.
Determine a reasonable limit
You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, so make sure you set a realistic limit for how much you want to spend on dates. You might want to start by budgeting $20 a night just to feel comfortable. You don’t want to spend more than you can afford to, and setting a budget ensures that you won’t.
Stick to your budget
Budgeting can be a challenge for most people, especially those who are single and living alone. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! If you’ve already got a budget planned, you’re on the right track. Try to stick to the same budgeting system you have for your finances, such as a monthly budget spreadsheet.
Prioritize your expenses
When you’re in the dating scene, it can be easy to neglect your responsibilities. You might think that you need to spend money on your dates, or if you don’t date much, you might find yourself using your paycheck on nights out with your friends. But if you want to have a successful relationship you need to start prioritizing your responsibilities. Dating is a great way to meet new people but it’s also an opportunity to grow and learn about yourself. Think about what you want out of a relationship and focus on working towards those goals before you start dating.
In conclusion, if you are a 20 something and are dating, make sure to follow the do’s and don’ts in order to have a successful and fun experience.
