Dating is often full of games which can be annoying and frustrating for both parties. You want to show you are interested but at the same time you don’t want to come on too strong as you think it will be awkward. As a result, this weird dance occurs where both parties play hard to get. This can be extremely frustrating as you might lose out on some really interesting guys in this way. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to not only ensure you are finding the right men, but taking things further with them. It might take a bit of time to find the right one, but applying some of these tips can help narrow down your search and ensure that you are not wasting your time.

Forget About the Texting and Calling Rules

There are a bunch of stupid rules when it comes to texting that most people follow and it ends up killing a ton of potential relationships. The double texting rule is one that has to be thrown out as sometimes people genuinely forget to respond or don’t hit the send button. If you like someone, don’t be afraid to send them another text to check up on them and ask them how they are doing. 

Please keep in mind that this doesn’t mean to spam their phone over and over however. If they don’t respond after a second or third message, it generally is a sign that they aren’t interested. When looking at how to text guys, you should also not be afraid to take the first step. There are some women who refuse to text a guy first after a date or who will wait for a guy to text first in the morning. There is one major flaw in this plan. What if he is thinking the same way? 

Guys will get tired of having to make the first move over and over, especially when they are first talking to a girl. As a result they might sit back and see if the girl will make the first move if they don’t. If this happens and you don’t text, you could end up losing out on a great relationship. A lot of great guys don’t play texting games but they do get insecure if they are always the ones starting a conversation. If you want to ensure you are finding the right man, you have to throw away the texting and calling rules that are so ingrained in society.

Know What is Off Limits For You

A lot of girls waste time on men thinking that they can change them. The point of dating is to find someone who is compatible for you, not someone who is a work in progress. Before you even start dating, create a list of things that are non-negotiable for you. Things like smoking for example. Getting yourself into a relationship thinking you can change some of his core habits is a disaster waiting to happen.

This does not mean look for a guy who checks off all your boxes, because obviously that might not happen, but ensuring that he checks off the major boxes is the first step. You shouldn’t budge on your non-negotiables, there will be more guys out there who won’t partake in those habits.

Tell the Truth

At all points in the relationship, whether you are dating or several years in, you have to be honest at all times. Honesty might sound easy, but it is a lot more difficult than it sounds. In the dating phase and texting phase it is important that you don’t make up stories about who you are and things that you have accomplished thinking that will impress him. Once the truth comes out (and it will) you will find yourself in an awkward position. He will have a hard time trusting a lot of things you say from that point out and your whole relationship might be built on a lie. The right guy will be interested in who you are, not interested in a fake character you created.

Be Present During the Date

When you are there, be open to communicating with him and spending a good time with him. There are several women who are closed off when the date begins hoping that the man will make some grand gesture towards them or will do something to impress them. Put the phone away and take the time to talk to him. Some dates might start off a little rough, but if you stay present and engaged, you might be surprised when all of a sudden things turn around completely and you are having the time of your life. Even if you aren’t a fan of the guy, being present till the very end of the date is important and is a great habit to develop as it will help you in a future date with the man of your dreams.

Throw Away the Wish List

We talked about non-negotiables for dating and we stand by that, but you should also be ready to throw away that wish list that you have. Expecting a guy to make a certain amount of money, or be a certain height is a great way to remove yourself from the dating world and will hold you back from meeting many fantastic men. Your wish list should revolve around your feelings instead of material things. A man can’t necessarily change the amount of money he makes, but he can definitely change and open up more emotionally if you give him the opportunity too.

These are all things that you should consider when you are dating a man. Dating can be rough and at times you might be completely sick of it, but at the end of the day, if you remain open and emotionally invested, you will eventually find the right guy for you. Being realistic when dating is important as it will allow you to meet more people and who knows what you might have been missing out before. How do you plan on finding the man of your dreams?