Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://blog.findingtheone.com/2023/04/12/dating-tips-from-a-great-first-date-to-lasting-love/

 

Oh, the importance of first impressions! First dates can be incredibly nerve-wracking. You’re meeting someone for the first time, and you want to make a good impression!

Equally, navigating what happens next is just as tricky. Do you go for a kiss? Do you ask if they want to come back to yours?

Dating someone new is exhilarating, but it fills you with exhausting questions.

How do you make your way through the first few months? Is it too soon to take the next step? Do they like me as much as I like them?

We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best ideas to help you find your way through the first year of dating, and provide ideas for keeping the fire burning as you see your future lying ahead of you!

Preparing For A Great First Date

Online dating means that dating sites hold the facts till it all becomes real life. To make the best of your first date, preparation is key. Think about what you’d like to do and how much time you want to spend together, and what you’d like to know.

You may want to steer away from the traditional drinks and dinner go-to first date blueprint, but these situations often provide you with the ideal setting to slip into comfortable conversation.

The first few dates are often the most memorable. Both parties are slightly nervous and stumbling over their words, but relaying new and exciting facts that help you to know the person across the table from you.

Dialogue that flows is ideal for getting to know somebody. The ideal first date should allow for lots of chatting.

Smooth Conversation: Making An Impression

It’s natural to feel nervous before your first date. And it’s normal to be a little apprehensive about how the conversation will flow and help you to secure that second date.

Here are some tips and tricks to maintain the flow in case the joke doesn’t land or the silence starts to creep in…

• Ask questions to keep the conversation going – remember that people like talking about themselves.
• Find common ground – is there a hobby?
• Pay attention to what they’re enthusiastic about, keep the questions going on these subjects.
• Keep dating history in the past – Leave this conversation for further down the line. No one wants to spend all night discussing your ex on the first date!
• Mention personal relationships – Again, no, not exes. Bring up your parents, family, and friends and ask about their loved ones. Find out where they grew up and their favourite family holidays!
• Be genuinely interested – This is non-negotiable. Be excited about what they’re saying. People are more open to talking and will trust you to divulge more personable, meaningful facts if they think you’re excited about the same things.
• Really, we mean REALLY listen. You don’t want to have to ask their best friend’s name twice or what was the last gig they went to. Listen the first time round and take mental notes.

Paying attention to these tips will ensure you’re communicating effectively on first dates and increasing your chances of learning if this person is the one!

Planning Creative Dates: Make Lasting Memories

Creativity is key when planning dates. As the relationship grows, you want to make sure that you keep it fresh and exciting.

Going for a drink or dinner every time can be a bit mundane for both parties involved. Think about activities that will bring the two of you closer together and create cherished memories.

Interactive dates are great for feeling your way around a relationship at the beginning. Activities or exhibitions are fun conversation starters, and they allow you to have new experiences with your date, providing you with a closeness you just don’t get at the movies!

When planning these fun days out, refer back to what you learned on the first date. What are their hobbies and interests? And plan something memorable surrounding this.

This tip is ideal for new couples as it gets you in the swing of heavily engaging with and trusting your new potential partner.

These dating tips are also great for reusing for years to come. A fresh and exciting date every now and then can keep things new and offer something to look forward to, increasing your enthusiasm for life with each other!

Dating Plans And Taking The Next Step

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when it comes to taking the next step in a relationship.

Your future together can be exciting but – equally – nerve-wracking if you don’t know how your partner will react. The key is communication. Talk about what you want for the future, and make sure that both parties are in agreement.

Finding The One matches you with partners with the same core values, so you can look forward to moving on with each other in real-time. When two parties are in tune with each other, nothing feels like rushing, and the next step can’t be soon enough!

But no matter how comfortable you feel in your new relationship, you will always feel nerves when wanting to move forward. If you’re with the right person, you will feel it. Trust your gut and shake off any doubts!

Knowing What You Want From Your Relationship

Entering into a new romantic relationship can feel like you’re taking huge risks. Being in tune with yourself is a key factor in any relationship. Knowing what you want and being honest to both yourself and your partner will help to create the ideal relationship.

When you know what you want, finding it can be easier than ever!

But we know that sometimes it’s hard to know what you want. It can be difficult to pinpoint your own feelings and work out how they sit with the person you’re dating.

Take your time, and don’t rush into anything. A healthy relationship will come when both parties are happy to take the next step, and not before!

And remember, if you haven’t found ‘the one’ yet, there’s no need to worry. Everything happens for a reason, and that perfect person is out there.

When Should You Consider Taking The Next Step?

When you know the person you’re dating is right for you, it can feel like time to take the next step. But there are a few factors to consider before making this decision…

Firstly, make sure that both of you are really happy and ensure that your communication is open about how each person feels. It’s never easy to determine when it’s the right time to take the next step. Every relationship is different, and every couple should progress at their own pace.

Sometimes, you can feel like you’re ready to take the next step – but if you’re not sure, don’t do it! You should be comfortable with what you’re doing. This comfort is something that will come with time and experience.

If you and your new partner have the same goals, this comfort and ease will naturally develop. Forcing this will only inhibit progress, and who wants a spanner in the works when things are going so great?

 

Trust: The Ultimate Dating Tip For Making It past The First Year

Trust is crucial at any stage of a relationship. As the relationship progresses, you need to make sure that trust is kept at the forefront.

It’s easy for one person to become jealous or suspicious of another, but try to remember that there should never be any secrets between the two of you. Let your partner know what you are thinking and feeling – it can help build a stronger foundation.

If your significant other knows how your brain is working, there is no need for check-ins on your whereabouts and paranoid calls, all tell tales of a less-than-healthy relationship.

If you’re at this stage of making the next steps of a relationship and making things official, now is the time to become invested in divulging your previous personal relationships and past experiences.

Once you’ve moved on from the dating app scene, having these conversations in person is more beneficial. Trust comes from physical conversation, touch and eye contact. Enhancing your body language can also help this process.

Overall, know that a loving and trusting relationship can only come from honest communication between the two of you.

Long Lasting Connection And Communication

Similarly to building trust, knowing each other’s relationship history can help create the foundations for a lasting connection. We don’t need all the gory details now, but key elements and events are good to divulge with your new partner.

Understanding elements of a past relationship can explain what makes you tick now, and why you have certain reactions to things and can inform and strengthen your relationship’s future.

Communication is key. letting your partner know where you’re at can benefit your mental health and theirs. In the first year or so of dating, it’s good to try not to leave any stones unturned. Offer up the facts to avoid negative experiences.

You are not dating a mind reader. Allow your partner to understand how you’re feeling when things are more difficult. If there is something they do that upsets you, let them know how they can change this in a positive way and vice versa.

Take note of your own behaviour and check in with your partner to ensure you’re both communicating and doing OK.

 

Ensure You Are Dating Safely

Asking the right questions means getting to know your online date. The most important thing is to voice when you’re uncomfortable on a date. To ensure your date feels safe, avoid topics overly personal or sexual on the first date, taking the pressure off and not crossing boundaries.

It’s also important to hold off any physical advancements and be respectful and communicate surrounding these topics.

A top tip for safe dating is to always have first dates, second dates (or as many dates till you feel comfortable) in public. This way, you know that both parties are safe and can be accessed easily should anything occur.

If you’re concerned with the safety side of dating online or have any queries or things you’d like us to be aware of, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We prioritise good communication and ensure you are safe online and in real life.

Our customer service team is always on hand to answer any questions you may have. We take all feedback seriously, and we’re here to help. We want to avoid bad dates and help you find your long term partner.

FTO: Your Perfect Match

At Finding The One, we understand the importance of compatibility when it comes to finding your perfect match. We are proud to generate results based on detailed, unique user descriptions to match our customers to their ideal date and long-term partner.

We take out the stress of finding someone who suits you in every aspect of life. Our online dating service offers high-quality matches for those looking for a long-term, fulfilling relationship.

Join FTO’s online dating app today and set up your unique dating site profile. Get to know matches that are worthy of your time and schedule actual dates with like-minded people.
Start your journey to a long-term relationship today with Finding The One, the unique app for London singletons. Take note of our dating tips and wow your potential new significant other, creating memories to last for years to come.

FAQs

What Are The Top Dating Tips?

To make sure your first date goes super well, our dating experts tips are as follows: ask good questions to always keep the convo flowing, trust your instincts (if it feels like a bad match, it probably is) and choose a fun first date with plenty of opportunity for getting to know each other.

Is Online Dating Safe?

Online dating is as safe as the site you’re using, so it’s so important to do your research before you go punching in all your personal details and signing up.

At Finding The One, we pride ourselves on our communication with customers to help keep everyone safe. Sign up now to create your unique dating profile and begin your online and real life lasting romantic relationship!

What Not To Do When Dating?

The biggest no-no is don’t talk about your exes! If you’re fresh out of a breakup, make sure you’re ready before diving into a new relationship – nobody wants to  be a rebound! Also, stay away from the classic, standard dates. The more fun you can have, the better for everyone (and the more chance you’ll see them again!).

Is It Ok To Kiss On The First Date?

It’s completely personal preference. Don’t feel pressure to, if you don’t want to. Take things slow and get to know the person beforehand. On the contrary, if you do want to, make sure you make your move respectively and communicate well with your date.

How Can I Be Less Awkward On A Date?

Prepare your questions beforehand. Ensure you have plenty of conversation cues to keep things flowing.

Plus, you can always opt for interactive date locations, such as museums or exhibitions, or why not ice skating or a boat trip? These locations offer plenty of sentence starters so you can avoid an awkward silence.