Love Like a Woman, Date Like a Man

In life we’re told not to put all of our eggs in one basket. If you’re a single woman who isn’t in a committed relationship, why should dating be any different?

How many times have we gone out on a couple of dates and clicked with our ‘potential’ mate only to focus the majority, if not all, of our dating attention only on him?

The difference between men and women when it comes to dating is that most men consider a date simply that: a date.  Most likely if he’s dating you with no explicitly stated commitment, he’s dating other women as well.

As women we are instinctively inclined to invest ourselves emotionally, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It only becomes a problem when the investment isn’t reciprocated and we put all of our dating eggs into one hopeful basket .

Think of it this way, the more you date, the more you  learn  about yourself, your likes, dislikes, and you learn a lot about the opposite sex. Not to mention you get some male companionship, even if it only ends in friendship or a few free meals.

So how do you keep your feminine traits but date like a man? Consider these eight tips!

1. Change Your Way of Thinking
This is probably the most difficult but vital thing to do in order to enjoy dating. Stop thinking “marriage material” as soon as you meet a man, instead enjoy the company of interesting new people who may surprisingly share some commonalities. Think of a date as a time to share conversation, laughs, food, drinks, etc. Not to secretly plan the colors of your wedding.

2. Don’t Over-Analyze
Over-analyzing sometimes sabotages the feelings of simply going with the flow. As women we sometimes obsess over  every text message and conversation. Instead, just go with the flow and enjoy the date for what it is. Maybe it’ll lead to another date, maybe it won’t.

3. Don’t Worry About Potential In The Beginning
Is he financially stable? Does he love his mother? Will he make cute kids? Don’t worry about these things in the beginning. Enjoy your dates without the expectations of him becoming the father of your first child. Maybe you’ve looked at his nose and decided he won’t make cute kids; but so what? Maybe he’s funny and has other great qualities. If you rule him out in the beginning because he doesn’t fulfill your ‘Potentials Check-list’, you may miss out on a great guy, or at least a great date.

4. Don’t Give Too Much Too Soon
Giving too much can come in the forms of sex, domestic favors, etc. Basically don’t treat a situation as if it is a committed relationship if it’s not. As women we are naturally nurturers and givers. It’s okay to give, but don’t give too much of yourself without a commitment.

5. Don’t Expose Too Much Too Soon
On the first date, he shouldn’t know about your first boyfriend who cheated on you, why you have been searching for Mr. Right since college or intimate details about your family. Leave some conversation for future dates. If you expose too much too soon, there’s nothing left.

6. Treat Your Date Like A Friend Not A Potential Mate
Enjoy your date like you enjoy your time with a friend. In turn he’ll probably enjoy you. Why? Because you’re more open, fun, and not dressed in the facade that most of us subconsciously wear on first dates. Laugh, be yourself, and enjoy the company.

7. Know When To Let Go
If you’re dating someone then you really don’t have any ties to that person.
Know when to let go of someone you’re dating if it’s no longer fun, exciting, or even if you the relationship isn’t going in the direction you would like. Know when to let go. Men definitely have this skill mastered.

8. Have fun
Ultimately it’s about having fun and enjoying your life. Who says you don’t deserve the company of someone of the opposite sex to hang out with, if only as a date?