Advice

When you give or receive a gift, whether it’s from a significant other, someone you’ve just begun dating or a new friend, pay close attention. Not to the gift itself; granted, that will certainly be the result of some hard thought and it’s worthy of appreciation. However, looking at how the gift was given - the method of execution - can provide illuminating insights into the gift-giver.

Consider your own personal traditions. How do you deal with the winter holidays? Birthdays? Do you like total surprises, or something chosen from a specific list? Do you like to be the center of attention? Is there usually a meal associated with gift-giving holidays?

Chances are, many of your own personal traditions were formulated growing up, maybe from your family, or as a reaction against them. Now consider your partner; they have their own unique set of traditions, shaped by their own experiences, their own values.

When people select gifts for one another, they try to find something they think the recipient will like; that’s not surprising. What is interesting is that when someone tries to make a gift meaningful or special, they’ll look at their own values to make it so.

For example: someone who values homemade objects might make a homemade gift to show their affection. For someone else, it may be that a more expensive gift shows just how much they value the relationship. Maybe the gift is an elaborate surprise; it’s the time and the consideration in the planning that’s the real present. Observe your partner when they plan a gift for you or someone else; you just may be seeing a glimpse of what they truly value and appreciate.

Thus, the next time you receive a gift, look at more than what you literally hold in your hands. Was your partner trying to get a plan out of you for weeks? Did they bake you a cake, or make you a dinner? By observing what they find special, you’ll be able to make the next celebration special for them, too.

Summer’s just about here, and the temperature is rising. After the long winter we’ve had, planning your first date somewhere outdoors might seem like just the ticket. After all, a game of mini-golf or a hike certainly isn’t the usual, cut-and paste first meeting. However, as you make your plans, remember to keep in mind the elements that contribute to a great first date.

Comfort should be first and foremost when planning a date. An outdoor date can be absolutely beautiful and memorable, but you’re at the mercy of the weather. If you’re sweltering or getting drenched by a summer rainstorm, you’re focusing on your own comfort, and not on whether you have a spark of chemistry with your potential match. Keep a close eye on the weather forecast in the days and hours leading up to your date, and have a backup suggestion ready if the weather isn’t cooperating.

Some minor comfort issues can be easily mitigated if you simply plan ahead. For example, bringing sunscreen can prevent a crabby, sunburned end to the day. Having a large, two-person umbrella on hand could save the day and the date.

For most people, the point of a date isn’t to impress their partner with their athletic prowess or their daredevil sense of adventure; it’s to actually get to know their date. Thus, when choosing an activity, make sure you’ll actually have time to talk and hear one another. Some people get so caught up in finding a novel activity that they forget to consider whether it’s actually conducive to good communication.

Finally, remember to consider the needs of your date. Maybe they’re allergic to the sun. Maybe they’re far more comfortable in an air-conditioned coffee shop. A seasonally-appropriate, outdoor date can be a ton of fun; just make sure it’s a good fit for you and your date.

In online dating, we’re encouraged to make quick decisions, to rely on first impressions and gut instinct. For the most part, this makes sense within the context of the format; a profile has theoretically been edited and should represent one of the best first impressions one can make. Often people who utilize online dating sites have busy or irregular schedules, and a simple “yes” or “no” works best for their lifestyle. And let’s not discount the value of a gut reaction - more often than not, a strong feeling of like or dislike pays off in the end.

So who doesn’t benefit from a quick decision? The people that don’t elicit strong reactions one way or the other, for one. Remember, though we’re encouraged to make snap decisions, the jury’s still out on whether love at first sight truly exists. It’s easy to make a decision when you clearly have strong chemistry, or you’re clearly offended, but how do you know when there’s room for your relationship to grow?

It’s also important to remember that though online dating profiles have been meticulously polished and given the best presentation, the same can’t be said when you meet in person. Maybe you’re having a bad day and you’re feeling particularly critical. Maybe the same could be said for your potential match. Maybe someone’s coming down with a cold and is having difficulty focusing. In a “real time” situation, snap judgments aren’t quite as reliable.

So what do you do if you’re on the fence? First, evaluate your feelings carefully. Do you feel you’re being truly fair, or were you distracted and cross on your date? Are you truly on the fence, or do you just dislike having to reject someone? If you’re just feeling guilty about having to be the “bad guy,” do yourself and your potential match a favor and end it sooner than later - you’ll save a lot of confusion and awkwardness for the both of you.

If, however, you think you might benefit from another chance, go ahead and give it a shot. If the situation doesn’t improve, you’ll know you’re making the right decision. Regardless of the outcome, one extra date isn’t a bad tradeoff for the peace of a firm decision.

A friend of mine, “Rob,” has been familiar with the world of online dating for some time. He’s a pro at first-contact emails, and he’s been no stranger to first dates, either. Yet, none of them have seemed to have that “spark” in person, from either side, so he’s becoming a pro at shaking those first dates off and moving on, too. In general, Rob is as laid-back and unflappable as they come.

Until now.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in such a state. He’s about to go on his second date, and he’s terrified. Emails have not been a problem. His first “date” - an ulra-quick meeting at a coffee shop - apparently had enough of a spark that they’re both keen to know more. It’s going as smoothly as it possibly can - and Rob’s a puddle of nerves.

“This is the first one where I feel like there’s actually the potential for something more,” he confessed. “The others were nice people, maybe they’d make good acquaintances or friends, but this is the first time I’ve had real chemistry. The stakes are more real, now.”

Maybe Rob’s right, but now is not the time for his head to get in the way of his relationships. If the “reality” of the situation puts you in a similar state of panic, repeat after me: “This is not my only shot at happiness. This is not my only shot at a relationship.” Because it’s not. First of all, you don’t need a significant other for happiness. Secondly, if you don’t believe in destiny, you’ll know that there’s many options and people that would make good matches. And if you do... well, obviously you’re destined to be with someone else.

Maybe a particular person puts you in a tizzy, and you really want things to work out, more than you have with other potential matches. That doesn’t mean you should forget what you’re doing: going on a first date, just like any other. A simple first meeting. A long-term relationship isn’t created in one date, no matter how strong the chemistry. Take things one day at a time, let the relationship car drive itself without your doubts veering you off-course, and regardless of the outcome, you’ll have minimal regrets.

What effects does Facebook have on our romantic lives?

Online Dating University set out to find the answer, and produced a colorful infographic that shows us exactly what happens to our relationships when we live in public. Check it out here, via All Facebook.

Some interesting facts include:

• Approximately 60% of all Facebook users report a relationship status on their profile.
• The United States, South Africa, Iceland, the UK, and Canada are the five countries with the highest percentage of users reporting a relationship status.
• The average percentage of single Facebook users, by country, is 39%.
• Jordan is home to the largest percentage of Facebook users who list themselves as single on the site.
• The highest percentage of Facebook users who state that they're in a relationship of any kind (from "it's complicated" to "married") reside in Finland.
• Ghana has the greatest percentage of single male Facebook users, but women make up a greater percentage of Facebook's user base at large.
• As of December 2010, women outnumbered men on the site at a rate of 1.28 to 1.

2010, as it turns out, might not have been a great year for relationships. 37% of Facebook users changed their relationship status to "single" during the year, and 3% found themselves in relationships that were "complicated." 24% listed themselves as "in a relationship," while 5% became "engaged" and 31% were "married."

According to the infographic, documenting your love life on Facebook can have the following effects:

1. Overanalyzing. When you spend too much time on Facebook, you run the risk of becoming intensely aware of the activity on your love interest's profile. Over analyzing everything you see him or her post is likely to lead to feelings of insecurity.
2. Oversharing. What happens if you change your relationship status on Facebook but your partner doesn't? Publically recording every detail of your relationship can lead to unwanted confrontations and awkward moments, as well as public heartbreak if the relationship ends. Plus, future partners might not appreciate being privy to every detail of your past love affairs.
3. Unhealthy concern with the remarks of others. It's easy to become excessively concerned with the comments left by other people, and equally as easy to misinterpret harmless comments as competition. Unwarranted jealousy is a side effect of social networking for many Facebook users.
4. Constant reminders of lost love. Break ups are challenging at the best of times, but the access Facebook provides to your ex, and the constant reminders of his or her new life without you, makes the end of a relationship even more difficult.

How do you deal with these problems? Continue to Part II for Online Dating University's suggestions.

To find out more on how to use this social network as an online dating tool please read our review of Facebook.com.

When the honeymoon period wears off, what's left? It's not your looks or funny pickup lines that create lasting attraction - it's your lifestyle. It's obvious to others when you have a life that you're proud of, passionate about, and fulfilled by, and nothing is more seductive than that. Love comes not from the words you say, but from the things that make you, on the deepest level, you.

What does it take to create a life that you genuinely enjoy living, every day? A life that allows you to live your dreams, and experience everything you want to experience? A life that leaves you fulfilled, and attracts interesting, passionate people?

Creating the lifestyle you want is an ongoing process, but here are a few tips to get you started:

1) Be open to new experiences. Sometimes happiness comes from unexpected places, but you'll never know unless you're willing to explore and challenge your boundaries. Meet as many people as possible, because one connection lead to another and you never know who you might find. Live in the moment and embrace whatever comes your way.

2) Do what you love. Apply this rule to all areas of your life, both professional and personal. Never do something because you think you have to or because you believe that other people expect it of you. Find what you're passionate about, ignore people who want (consciously or unconsciously) to limit you, and do it. This includes reevaluating your career - a job that makes you miserable is not a job worth keeping, because you will project your misery on everyone around you.

3) Embrace your inner child. Can you remember what it was like to be a child? Children are curious, enthusiastic, unselfconscious, and full of joy. They live in a state of wonder. They favor the fun over the serious. They are constantly learning and experiencing new things, and meeting new people. This attitude is the foundation of an amazing life.

4) Cultivate confidence and positivity. Destroy limiting beliefs and know, genuinely, that you can be whoever you want to be and accomplish whatever you want to accomplish. Find the fun in everything, even life's most mundane tasks. When you believe that you are high-value and attractive, others will too.

These tips are just a starting point. Creating the life you want is a process that will probably never end, but it's one of the most important things you will ever do. Be open, passionate, positive, and enthusiastic, and good things will come your way.