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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Eric McClure is an editing fellow at wikiHow where he has been editing, researching, and creating content since 2019. A former educator and poet, his work has appeared in Carcinogenic Poetry, Shot Glass Journal, Prairie Margins, and The Rusty Nail. His digital chapbook, The Internet, was also published in TL;DR Magazine. He was the winner of the Paul Carroll award for outstanding achievement in creative writing in 2014, and he was a featured reader at the Poetry Foundation’s Open Door Reading Series in 2015. Eric holds a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MEd in secondary education from DePaul University.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Dating is really fun and exciting, but sometimes it can also feel confusing and complicated. It doesn’t help that there are so many contradictory "rules" out there about how dating should and shouldn't work. Fortunately, we've debunked some of the most common dating myths you may have encountered so you can focus on enjoying yourself and maybe meeting that special someone.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:Myth: Dating always has to be about finding “the one.”
Method 1
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1Fact: Dating can just be fun and casual. Every date you go on doesn't have to be about meeting your future long-term partner. Dating can just be a fun opportunity to meet and hang out with new people if that's what you're looking for! Also, even if a date doesn't go well, that doesn't mean it's a "failure" because you didn't meet your soulmate. Every date is a learning experience that helps you refine what you’re looking for in a partner and gives you more practice.[1]
- Don't feel like you have to take dating super seriously. If you get too caught up in the destination, you won’t enjoy the journey!
- Letting go of any expectations you have will make it much easier to relax and have fun on the dates you go on.
Method 2
Method 2 of 6:Myth: Online dating is only for hooking up.
Method 2
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1Fact: Online dating can be a great way to find a long-term partner! There’s this idea out there that online dating isn’t a good idea if you’re serious about being in a relationship, but that's just not true. Online dating makes it easier to identify potential partners who are looking for the same thing you are, and roughly one-third of married couples actually meet online these days. There isn’t evidence that online dating is a bad way to find true love.[2]
- There’s even some evidence that couples who meet online tend to be happier and more satisfied in their relationship as well.[3]
- This doesn't mean you can't use online dating for more casual flings—it can be great for that too!
Method 3
Method 3 of 6:Myth: You can’t get better at dating.
Method 3
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1Fact: Anyone can get better at dating with practice. The more dates you go on, the more comfortable you'll feel. You'll also get a better sense of what you're looking for and what types of people you're attracted to.[4] Don't worry if you feel nervous or seem a little rusty. If you keep an open mind, reflect on how each of your dates goes, and keep practicing, you'll definitely start to notice an improvement.[5]
Method 4
Method 4 of 6:Myth: It’s bad to date a lot of different people.
Method 4
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1Fact: There’s nothing wrong with dating around, and it's great practice! So long as you're not in an exclusive relationship, nothing should stop you from dating as many people as you'd like. Dating around is perfectly healthy and normal. You’ll learn a lot about yourself by interacting with a variety of different people, and you'll get a better sense of what you're looking for in a partner.[6]
Method 5
Method 5 of 6:Myth: Men always have to make the first move in heterosexual relationships.
Method 5
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1Fact: Women can definitely take the initiative. While men have traditionally made the first move when it comes to dating, some data suggests that roughly 90% of straight men are okay with women asking them out first.[7] However, only 1 in 3 women are comfortable making the first move.[8] If you're a woman interested in dating a guy, you don't have to wait around for him to take action!
Method 6
Method 6 of 6:Myth: It’s harder to date when you’re older.
Method 6
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1Fact: Dating when you're older actually has a lot of perks. The older you are, the more likely you are to know what you want in a partner. You're also usually more pragmatic and comfortable in your own skin.[9] All of this can save you from wasting time on people who aren't right for you.
- If it's been a long time since you've dated, jumping back into things can be a little scary! Don't worry—everyone gets nervous, and it will get easier the more you practice.
References
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/tips-for-finding-lasting-love.htm
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-online-dating/2015/10/02/a344ba92-5be2-11e5-8e9e-dce8a2a2a679_story.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3690854/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3830676/
- ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/how-be-better-online-dating-according-psychology-ncna979791
- ↑ https://www.rewire.org/challenge-guilt-dating-multiple-people/
- ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/common-myths-about-dating-debunked-2016-7#-3
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3393124/
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/25/internet-dating-at-40-and-a-baby-at-43
About This Article
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Eric McClure is an editing fellow at wikiHow where he has been editing, researching, and creating content since 2019. A former educator and poet, his work has appeared in Carcinogenic Poetry, Shot Glass Journal, Prairie Margins, and The Rusty Nail. His digital chapbook, The Internet, was also published in TL;DR Magazine. He was the winner of the Paul Carroll award for outstanding achievement in creative writing in 2014, and he was a featured reader at the Poetry Foundation’s Open Door Reading Series in 2015. Eric holds a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MEd in secondary education from DePaul University. This article has been viewed 11,199 times.
Co-authors: 8
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 11,199
Categories: Youth Dating | Dating
