First Date Tips To Make You Feel Confident, Comfortable, Safe & Sexy
Going on a first date can be nerve-wracking to say the least. Oftentimes, our minds fixate on ways in which first dates can go absolutely horribly. Once we find one way things can go wrong, all the other ways come flooding in. There’s no surefire way to combat all the pre-date jitters, but there are some steps you can take to help you feel way more prepared for your first date. So, take a deep breath, relax, and read on. We’ve got some first date tips for you.
Set Your Intentions
I’m not your mom, I can’t tell you to only have good or innocent intentions for your date. Your intentions are your intentions, period. Instead of lying to yourself or clouding your intentions, know what they are and take action based on them. Are you looking for the one? The person you’re trying to marry and spend the rest of your life with? Or are you looking for some company for the time-being? What would that company (ideally) look like? Knowing exactly what you want isn’t a crime, it’s actually a really good thing. If your intentions don’t line up with who you are potentially going out with, then your time together might end up bringing more harm than good. Wasted time, energy, and emotions are never good. Once you know your intentions, it’s also important that the person you’re going out with at least has a vague idea of them as well. Do they think this date is just a hookup? Are they trying to woo their future life partner? Don’t let them get their wires crossed. It’s always good to be on the same page (or similar pages) when going out with someone.
Self Care for Confidence
I don’t care who you are, if you’re not feeling confident, you’re probably not going to have a great time on your date. Confidence is key in so many ways and doing a little something something for your confidence before a date can work wonders. Always feel like a baddie when you get your nails done? Get them done for your date! Love the way your skin looks after you steam it? Do that beforehand! Pretty much anything that makes you feel like a million bucks is a great self care practice to embark on before you go out on your date. This way, you’ll be winning the confidence game, and actually will be able to focus on the date instead of anything else you may be distracted by.
Dress like you
Instead of trying to find the perfect first date outfit for the person you’re going out with or the activity you’ll be doing, try to just dress like yourself instead. Give your date a preview of, well, you. How do you dress? What’s your unique style? First dates are all about letting them get to know the real you, and dressing like yourself is a great way to do this! Choose items you feel great in and love. Yes, this will naturally assist your confidence, but you’re also not going to feel like you’re trying to dress like or be anyone else. I love to express myself through my style, so I find this tip to be really impactful when confronting that first date situation.
Communicate
On the same page as communicating with your date about your intentions, it’s also important to just communicate with them period. Simple stuff like knowing when you’re meeting, where, if someone is getting picked up, etc. Figuring out the logistics beforehand can be a lifesaver. You’re going to have to figure out the details at some point, so it might as well be sooner rather than later when you’re scrambling to finish getting dressed and get out the door. Going into the date and having a good idea of what the two of you will be doing will help put nerves at ease and keeping that stream of communication going is an added bonus! Everyone’s kept in the loop.
Safety Precautions
It’s 2022. If you’re going on a first date, there’s a good chance that you’ve never met the other person in real life before. Much of our lives are online now and it’s natural that it’d become a platform for us to meet potential partners. However, there’s always a risk factor involved with meeting a stranger (or going on a date with someone in general). It’s not fun to think about it, but it’s important to be prepared for the worst, especially when meeting someone you met online. It is always a good idea to let someone know what you’ll be up to and where you’ll be going. Something as simple as letting a friend or family member know you’re going on a first date can be essential to your safety. If you’re looking for even more reassurance when meeting up with someone for a date, other safety precautions include sharing your location with a friend who can check up on you if you aren’t home by an expected time, keeping protection tools like a knife or pepper spray on you, and knowing to order an Angel shot should things go bad, can all potentially save your life. It’s way better to be safe than sorry.
Breathe
And after that kinda scary note, chill out! OK, yeah. I know first dates are utterly crap-your-pants terrifying. But, first dates can also be super exciting, fresh, and fun! Don’t let all the negative thoughts take over. Take a deep breath (or a bunch, you can never have too much). This will help you keep your cool, beautiful, level head all the way up until and through your date. Yes, your date is probably super cool, awesome, and fun! But don’t work yourself up, they’re also probably a regular person who’s also excited to meet you. So, breathe. You got this.
How do you prepare for a first date? Have any other first date tips to share? Let us know in the comments!