Whether you’re newly single or a veteran of the dating game, putting yourself out there is never easy. There are so many highs and lows that come with having an active dating life, but the effort is all worthwhile when you make a real connection. Having a healthy approach to dating is all about maintaining a positive mindset and making the most of every opportunity. If you are more interested in hook ups, you can checkout Hookup Websites.

Follow these ten guidelines to put your best face forward in the dating world.

1. Be comfortable with who you are

Improve your dating game by focusing on being relaxed and real. It’s normal to try to impress when you’re on a date, but make sure you have a solid foundation of being true to yourself. Being confident and authentic plays a major role in attractiveness and will help you spark great chemistry. Being comfortable doesn’t require having more money, a better body, or a better job. It’s about knowing who you are and what you have to offer.

2. Bring curiosity to your date

One of the best ways to take the pressure off the dating experience is being genuinely interested in your date. Mark Twain has a famous quote that goes “There’s never been a boring life. Inside every person is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy”. Bring this attitude of curiosity to every date and it will help you form a real connection. Ask questions, show sincere engagement and make them feel heard. By focusing on the other person, you can be more relaxed and more likely to have an enjoyable time together.

3. Let go of your baggage

One of the biggest barriers to having a healthy dating life is not getting a handle on your trust issues. Negative experiences from past relationships can make us closed off, defensive, or oversensitive. None of these qualities will make you attractive or help you bring new love into your life. Having a lot of romantic baggage often leads to being dominated by fear. Work on having a better awareness of this habit and give each person a fair shot at building a connection with you.

4. Remember that first impressions count

It’s important to take pride in your appearance, especially during a first date. It’s very hard to overcome a negative first impression and your date will probably be making an effort to look great. Even if you’re doing a casual activity, take the time to look put together and appealing. Being on time is also key to avoid frustrating your romantic prospect before the date even begins.

5. Dating is a numbers game

In order to have a good shot at making the right connection, you have to be willing to meet a lot of people. Modern dating offers a huge variety of options for getting yourself out there, from the traditional bar scene to being active on dating apps. The more opportunities you have to meet new people, the higher your chances of finding good chemistry. Be proactive and don’t focus too much on any one particular prospect.

6. Don’t be desperate for your date to go well

If you want to have a good dating life, you need to be okay with remaining single. It’s important to cultivate the mentality that you’re going on a date to have a good time, but you don’t need this person to like you. If it feels like you need to find someone in order to be happy, take steps to work on your life and make it more fulfilling. Being desperate is a major turnoff and it will also make it hard for you to distinguish if you’re really interested in that person.

7. Don’t take rejections personally

If you’re following the advice so far, you’re in an excellent position to find great chemistry with the right person. However, being yourself and putting yourself out there will inevitably lead to getting rejected. This is just part of dating, as it is part of life, so it’s crucial to have a healthy approach towards rejection. The simple reality is that not everyone will be interested in you, just as you’re not interested in every person you date. Try to maintain a positive attitude and don’t take the lack of connection personally.

8. Keep an open Mind

While you probably already have some idea of what kind of person you’re looking to find, it’s a good idea to be flexible and remain open to the possibilities. If you go into your date with a rigid list and then start ticking off boxes, you can easily miss out on meeting someone that would be a great match. Don’t limit yourself unnecessarily because it’s not possible to predict where the chemistry will be.

9. Know your deal-breakers

On the other hand, you should never be so flexible that you overlook your core priorities. To avoid wasting your time, sit down and identify the non-negotiable aspects of a romantic prospect. It may be that you just can’t tolerate a smoker or someone who hates dogs. Consider your lifestyle, values, and personality type, as well as past experiences in your dating history. While you don’t want to shut out a potentially good match, it’s helpful to know what you truly cannot live with.

10. Have fun and remember to flirt

If you’re not having fun while dating, you’re probably doing it wrong. Try to maintain a playful, easygoing spirit during the dating process. Being under a lot of pressure will kill the mood, both for you and your romantic interest. Try to relax, enjoy yourself and let the experience develop naturally. Flirting, smiling, and laughter should all be in abundance. Let go of trying to “do it right” and try to enjoy being in the company of this interesting new person.

Having the right mindset will make a world of difference in helping you navigate an active dating life. Follow these tips to help you better enjoy the experience of being single and ready to mingle.