The road has been long, but the journey is finally coming to an end. Day Fourteen[*1] wraps up YourTango's online dating bootcamp with a few parting words from Heidi Lee Munson.
Finding The One means kissing a lot of frogs first, and you may find yourself feeling discouraged as you wade through the amphibians search of Prince - or Princess - Charming. But don't get down - every frog you pucker up with puts you one step closer to puckering up with the perfect person. Munson offers the following advice for daters dealing with dating despair:
- Everybody needs a friend. A date may not work out romantically, but that doesn't mean they can't work out in other ways. It never hurts to have another friend, right? Especially one who's in the same dating boat as you, and can offer advice and support when needed. If the sparks don't fly, consider turning your date into a new friend.
- There's more to life than your computer. I know that's hard to hear in an age when it seems like just about everything can be done from your laptop, but trust me...there's life outside of the Interweb. Love can show up in some very unexpected places if you're open to finding it, so don't get so lost in online dating that you're blind to the potential partners you meet in real life.
- Avoid over-saturation. You know that feeling when you just can't bear the thought of another first date? Listen to that feeling. When dating isn't fun anymore, it's time to go on a hiatus. Focus on yourself instead of on finding someone else. Rest up and relax, and when you find yourself missing the excitement of meeting new people, then you're ready to start dating again.
- Take a breather. Sometimes you and your dating site need to go on a break. Challenge yourself to sign out and stay out for 10 days. Don't check your messages. Don't update your profile. Recharge your batteries and return to online dating when you have new energy and a fresh perspective.
- Try a different site. If you've spent a significant amount of time on a site and haven't had any luck, it may be time to move on. You know what they say about the grass, but in this case the grass really may be greener elsewhere. A fresh pool of singles to choose from may be exactly what you need to feel excited about online dating again.
Congratulations on your bootcamp graduation!
Related Story: YourTango Online Dating Bootcamp: Day Thirteen