Tips

The new polar vortex has made winter come earlier than planned. Before we can enjoy the turn of summer into fall, it seems that many cities across North America have been hit with snow, sleet and rain.

Just because the weather isn’t cooperating doesn’t mean you have to depend on bars and movie theatres as your places to go. Winter dating, especially around the holidays, is anything but boring! Don’t despair because you can’t take a nice bike ride together or have a picnic by the beach. Instead, embrace the cold with these fun date ideas:

Go wine tasting. Winter is the perfect time to find a nice local spot offering flights of the latest fall wines. If you live near wineries, you’re in luck! For most of us that don’t, local wine shops and bars often offer “tasting” nights and events for those who want to improve their palettes.

Take a cooking class. Can’t get warm? Take your date to a cooking class where you take fresh, local ingredients and learn to make something new and delicious. The best part? It warms you up and you get to share a hard-earned gourmet meal together as a reward.

Visit a tree farm. No matter your religious preferences, there’s something magical about visiting tree farms. The smell of pine can be soothing, and offer you a chance to enjoy the outdoors – followed by a warm cocktail or hot chocolate.

Go ice skating. Outdoor ice rinks are all the rage when winter hits. You can even find makeshift ice rinks in parking lots across Los Angeles, where temperatures rarely dip below 50 degrees. Check your local listings, and feel free to have fun and be a kid again. Isn’t this the stuff romance is made of?

Volunteer together. Good works can bring you and your date closer, and make your evening together more meaningful. Check local food banks, non-profits and religious organizations in your city to find out what you can do this holiday season.

Be a tourist. Visit a new art exhibit or the local history museum you never get around to checking out, just because it’s never on your to-do list. Explore the place you live – there is probably something you didn’t expect.  

Indoor rock climbing. Who said you can’t try outdoor activities when it’s snowing outside? Indoor rock climbing is a great way to get that adrenaline rush, and to enjoy a bit of a workout on your date.

Making s’mores. You don’t have to be around a campfire to enjoy this old favorite. Pull up a cushion by your fireplace (or stove) and roast a couple of marshmallows and some chocolate, a delicious way to spend the evening.

First, let's get this out of the way: happy (belated) National Unmarried and Single Americans Week!

Yes, that's a real thing sponsored by Unmarried America, an information service for unmarried workers, consumers, taxpayers, and voters. It was celebrated this year from September 21 to September 27, and if you're wondering what it's all about, you can pick up a copy of their e-book on singles' rights.

Having a week to celebrate singles isn’t so bad, and it's probably better than referring to Valentine's Day as "Singles Awareness Day” (aka “SAD”), but really, why wait for a specific week when you could celebrate singlehood all year round?

There's lots to love about being single, even if it feels like a hard pill to swallow when everyone on your Facebook feed is getting hitched. Forget about them. Being single is awesome, and here are 10 reasons why:

1. That huge bed is all yours.
2. And you can sleep in it in whatever you want, because there's no need to worry about how sexy you look in the morning.
3. That paycheck you just got? It's all yours. Not a single cent of it is going into a joint account and none of it has to be spent on another person unless you want it to be.
4. If you do feel like treating someone, treat one of your friends – because since you're single, you have a whole lot more time to spend enjoying their amazing company.
5. When one of those friends complains about their relationship, you can privately congratulate yourself on being drama-free in that area.
6. Holidays are so much easier. You don't have to come up with a cute couples costume for Halloween. You don't have to stress out about what mind-blowing gift you're going to get your SO. You don't have to worry about meeting relatives or dividing time fairly between each other's families.
7. You can marathon an entire season of a show in one night and no one will ever know, because that Netflix account is all yours.
8. If you do feel a sudden urge to make out with someone, you can. Any time you want. With zero guilt.
9. You'll stay culturally relevant. Your coupled friends have probably never tried the magical modern experience that is Tinder.
10. There is no one around to tell you how much Ben & Jerry’s is too much, because that pint is all yours. Go right ahead and eat it in one sitting, without even dishing it into a bowl.

The adventure of singlehood is sounding pretty good right now, isn't it? And so is that ice cream…

I read this great article in Mind Body Green, listing 10 inspired rules about dating garnered from the author's yoga practice.

While I love a good yoga session, I'm not quite as versed on the yoga sutras as he was. But still...there is something to be said for how yoga can improve your outlook, attitude, and overall well-being, "on and off the mat" as my yoga instructor says, even if you don't know all the Sanskrit terminology. Because the most important thing a good yoga practice teaches us is to turn inward.

With this in mind, I've put together my own top 5 list of what yoga has taught me about dating:

Just breathe.

Nothing is more important in yoga than breathing. It is the essence of life. It also is a way we can allow ourselves to calm down, be present, and turn that constant stream of mind chatter off so we are more in tune with our mind and body. This is helpful on a date because often we are worrying about what he's thinking, projecting our desires onto our dates, or otherwise not enjoying the moment. Just remember to breathe.

Pay attention to your movements.

We don't always realize how we come across to others, especially if we're busy, stressed, or otherwise not in the mood for connecting. Or we might be so nervous we don't realize our dates can see this. Approach your date with kindness and an open mind, ready to learn something new, and you'll both have a better time.

Trust your instincts.

You know yourself better than anyone. If something doesn't feel right, pay attention. If a relationship isn't working out, if he's not respecting you, if she is non-committal, then trust your inner voice enough to walk away.

Some of your muscles are tighter than others.

We all have weaknesses when it comes to dating, just like some muscles or joints in our bodies are weaker than others. We must take care of these places, but we also must try to open them up, work out the kinks, which can be uncomfortable. When you keep pushing forward gently, paying attention to the weak spots and nurturing yourself through, you move forward in your practice---just like in life.

Take a few risks.

Are you afraid to do a headstand, or frog pose? There are some parts of yoga that seem intimidating, and that's okay. When you push yourself to try a pose you don't like (provided you're not injuring yourself), you will undoubtedly feel better than sitting it out because you're scared. When you take a few safe risks on the mat, you're more willing to put yourself out there in life.

Dating is hard enough when you’re young, childless, and free from responsibilities. Add in a few more years, a child or two, and a whole lot more responsibility, and dating can feel impossible. There's an intense amount of pressure on single parents. When should you mention the kids? How should you bring them up? How long should you talk about them? You love your children, but do they mean you're doomed to be date-less forever?

The dating game is played a little differently after you have kids, but at its heart it's still the same game. You’ll fumble here and there, but if you keep these dating mistakes in mind, you’ll have a much easier time of reaching the goal.

Single Parent Dating Mistake #1: Avoiding the Internet.

Just because it’s what 'the kids are doing these days’ doesn’t mean it can’t be a thing you’re doing. Get with the times and get online. You probably already use the Web to watch movies, order clothes, learn skills, research interests, pay bills, and most anything else you can think of, so why not use it for dating too? More and more single parents are looking for connections on online dating sites, which means your odds of finding someone who’s open to the fact that you’re a single parent are even better than in real life. You could be just a few clicks away from starring in your own version of The Brady Bunch.

Single Parent Dating Mistake #2: ‘Woe is me’ syndrome.

Lots of single parents fear their single parent status means no one will be interested in them. Sure, it may change some minds, but those aren't the minds you want to be with anyway. You'd be surprised at how many people aren’t scared of the idea, so don't be afraid to date someone who isn't a parent themselves. Alternatively, you can look for other single parents like yourself, if that Brady Bunch idea sounded appealing. The only thing that guarantees you won’t find a date is having a bad attitude about it.

Single Parent Dating Mistake #3: Overdoing it.

Your children are the most important thing in your life and you would do anything for them, but they're definitely not asking you to make them your only topic of conversation. Your date should know you're a single parent, which is easily accomplished early on. If you’re using an online dating site, list it on your profile. If you are online dating but prefer to keep that info private, or aren't using a dating site at all, you can break the news via e-mail, text, phone call, or IM. Once you’re on an in-person date, kid talk should be kept to a minimum. Dates are about getting to know each other, not about your children’s little league games. In fact, challenge yourself to make it through at least two full days before sharing the details of your kids’ lives.

Take a look at our list of single parent dating sites to find a related service.

Let’s face it, most of us have a phone in our hands a majority of the day, and during that time, our faces are buried in text messages, emails, Facebook, Instagram, or in apps to get us home or to the restaurant to meet friends. But can we disconnect long enough to connect with someone else in real life?

When I go out with my friends, I make a conscious effort to leave my phone in my purse, to turn off the ringer, to have a conversation that doesn’t include constant distraction. And it can be hard – especially if I’m expecting an email or text from work, or I want to check in with Twitter or Facebook. But as I read recently, the most important thing we can do in our lives is to create memories. And how can we create memories if we’re constantly distracted and bringing ourselves out of the present moment?

It’s the same with dating. It’s hard enough to connect with a stranger romantically, but when you add the distraction of cell phones to the mix, it’s even harder. Instead of becoming attached to your phone – for safety, for preventing social awkwardness, or for distraction – try putting it away and taking things one moment at a time – concentrating on what’s right in front of you.

Following are some tips when it comes to smartphones and dating:

Decide to be present. Sometimes emergencies crop up, but that doesn’t mean you keep your cell phone out and ready to pick up on the first ring during your date. If you’re expecting a call from your boss or a family member, knowing you’ll be spending the evening worrying or waiting, then why not postpone to a better night? Give your date a real chance by being fully present.

No photos. Maybe you’re addicted to Instagram and can’t help but take pictures of the cocktail you’re drinking or perhaps the gorgeous pasta dish in front of you. Resist this compulsion on a first date. Really, your food will taste better and you won’t be distracted with all the posting. Not every moment has to be documented.

No play-by-play on Twitter. I know some people who like to keep a record of their dates for the public to see, or who have to check their feeds every few minutes. But honestly, Twitter and Facebook can wait until after your date is over. Besides, if you write something bad about your date, assume he will see it – either on your phone or on your feed. Is that really how you want to conduct your dating life?

Text your date after the fact. If you had a good time, let him know! If not, tell him thanks but you’re just not a match. It shows you are courteous, which is a real plus when it comes to dating.

There's no shortage of love advice on the Internet, but it's not exactly the most diverse segment of the self-help industry. Every relationship guru out there seems to be telling you how to meet your match, fall in love, have a healthy long-term relationship…

Perhaps it's time for something different. Perhaps it's time for someone to take a stand for the miserable loners of the world. Don't want a fulfilling dating life? Good. This one's for you. It's about time someone created a guide for having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad relationship. Take it from me, if you want a truly awful love life, follow these six rules:

1. Never make plans in advance. Always text your date within, at most, two hours of wanting to meet them. The later, the better. Do not give them any time to prepare, and don't put any effort into planning your outing together. Make sure they know exactly how detached and disinterested you are.
2. Keep your compliments to yourself. If you say anything nice to your date – ever – they're bound to think you're clingy and insecure. If you’re new to the horrible relationship game, simply bury all urges to engage in flattery. If you’re a pro, emphasize your oh-so-attractive aloofness by offering backhanded compliments, subtle condescension, and no shortage of snark and sarcasm.
3. Speak only of superficial surface matters. Choose your conversation topics wisely. Family? No. Childhood? Nope. Religion, politics, or anything that even remotely displays your intelligence? Nah. Hopes and dreams? Don't even go there. If you’re in any deeper than your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavour to snack on while binge watching your Netflix queue, you’ve gone too far.
4. Add your date on Facebook right away. The best way to get to know someone new is to stalk them online as much as possible. Friend them on Facebook ASAP, then start your searching. Bonus points if you update your relationship status without consulting them first.
5. Don’t follow-up, especially if you had an amazing time. Oh, so you enjoyed yourself on your date? Good for you. Make sure they have no idea. Do not, under any circumstances, text them the next day to say you had fun or schedule date #2. In fact, it's probably safest to avoid communication entirely unless they get in touch first.
6. If you err at any time, fall off the grid. Accidentally said something sentimental? Or sent a text that didn’t look like a post-midnight afterthought? Or – gasp – bonded? Sorry, there’s only one option left. Disappear entirely before your insignificant other starts thinking they’re not so insignificant after all.