Contributed by: Jet on Sunday, March 18 2012 @ 07:49 am
Last modified on
It’s somewhat surprising to me how many general rules there are for dating based on random criteria such as gender. “Let the man do the pursuing.” “Let the girl take the lead on how fast to go.” What if one person is particularly shy? What if they both are? What if both members of the couple are the same gender? What magical, one-size-fits-all rules apply there?
The truth of the matter is, no matter who you are, or your personality type, there are points in dating when you will simply have to be brave. It’s nerve-wracking and maybe even frightening, yes. But absolutely no one should assume that they’ll find themselves in a relationship without ever taking a little personal risk.
“Oh, I just wish people could be mind readers,” you might be thinking to yourself. But what are you actually saying? You’re saying you wish people could be privy to your personal thoughts and feelings. But there is a simple way they can be - you can tell them. Functionally speaking, there’s no difference - you still run the risk that they might not feel the same, but you could also find yourself in a new romance.
So what will bravery mean for you? It might mean emailing someone whose profile attracts you. It might mean moving in for the first kiss. It might just mean doing a little extra-obvious flirting with someone you know is shy or uncertain. Regardless of what actually falls outside your comfort zone, you’ll know it when you get there - the butterflies, the adrenaline. You might be amazed at your own audacity.
But here’s the thing - we all have to do it sometime. No one likes the risk of rejection, but a relationship is comprised of two people willing to stick their neck out to succeed. Are you going to let fear, complacency, or some ridiculous “rule” hold you back from love?