When you are looking for love, it can be hard to find someone who wants to date you long-term. Those late night booty calls and Netflix and chill dates can get old and leave you feeling like you are not worth much more than a hookup.
However, there is a way to turn casual dating into something more as a man. Whether you’re a man who has been hooked up on multiple occasions or you want to break free from the hookup culture, there are some simple steps you can take.
1. Be Yourself
If you are on the fence about dating casually, there are some things to keep in mind that will make it a smooth transition. One of the most important aspects is to be yourself.
When you are dating casually, you want to be true to yourself and your values. This is important because being yourself can make a huge difference in the way that you interact with other people and how your relationship progresses.
A recent study found that those who were able to be themselves in their relationships reported healthier, more fulfilling relationships. The researchers believe that this is because being yourself allows you to act in ways that build intimacy.
Another benefit of being yourself is that it helps you to avoid feelings of inadequacy and rejection. This can be especially important if you have been in a past relationship and are currently dating someone new, according to Kaplan.
Having feelings of inadequacy and rejection is a big reason why many men give up on dating. In fact, the study found that men who were able to be themselves were more likely to be successful in their relationships than those who didn’t.
It is also very important to have fun when you are casually dating. Being playful and adventurous is a great way to get to know a person and find out if they are right for you.
In addition to being yourself, you should make sure that you are honest with yourself and your date about what you are looking for in a relationship. This will help you to establish clear boundaries and ensure that you and your date are both on the same page about what you are hoping to get out of a casual relationship.
2. Be True to Yourself
There is a reason why dating is called “the art of being yourself.” Being authentic can help you attract the right people, build meaningful connections, and find a lasting relationship.
Being true to yourself allows you to express your true self without being judged or criticized for who you are. This can lead to more fulfilling relationships and a happier, healthier life.
New research suggests that being true to yourself when it comes to dating is a key factor in creating better romantic relationships. According to Amy Brunell, a psychology professor at Ohio State University’s Newark campus, staying true to yourself can make you more open and honest in your interactions with others.
It can also help you stay centered, which can be an important skill for those who have trouble finding balance in their lives. This can be especially true for women who are often juggling careers, children, and other commitments that require a lot of time and attention.
While casual relationships can be fun and fulfilling, they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Rather, they should be viewed as an opportunity to grow as a person and learn about what you want in a relationship, says Tallon-Hicks.
For example, if you start to feel that the casual person you are seeing is starting to get serious about you, it might be time to break up. Being in a casual relationship is all about getting the major benefits of dating with no commitments.
It’s a great way to experience what it’s like to date in a relaxed and less pressured manner. However, it’s still important to be upfront about what you want out of a casual relationship and set clear boundaries around your wants and needs. This will allow you to avoid getting into a situation where you end up hurting your partner or someone else.
3. Be Honest
When you’re casually dating, you want to be honest about your expectations and boundaries. This way, your partner can decide if their goals align with yours and whether they would like to date you on a more serious basis.
It’s important to be honest when you’re casually dating because a lot can happen in the course of a relationship, including changes in your intentions or feelings. It’s also important to be honest with your partner if you’re feeling uncomfortable about something in the relationship.
If you’re not 100% comfortable with a casual relationship, talk to a therapist or qualified mental health professional to help you work through the complexities of it and make sure it’s right for you. You can also explore limiting beliefs that are holding you back from experiencing casual dating, which could be helpful in reframe your mindset about it.
You should be clear about what you want from a relationship and where your boundaries lie, as this will allow your partner to meet your needs, according to Tallon-Hicks. It’s also a good idea to check in with each other frequently (at least once a month) to make sure that your shared boundaries and needs are being met, she suggests.
The quickest way to get hurt is by not being honest with your partner about what you’re looking for. If you’re not upfront about your dating goals, it can cause your casual relationship to fall apart because you won’t know what to expect from it.
If you’re in a casual relationship and you’re not happy with it, it may be time to end things and find someone else who is more compatible with your wants and needs. The sooner you do, the better, as this will save you from a lot of heartache in the future.
4. Be Flexible
A lot of people enjoy the freedom that comes with casual dating. It’s a great way to meet new people and make connections without the commitment of a committed relationship. But it’s important to understand that a casual relationship isn’t without its downsides.
First, there are many times that casual relationships can be emotionally lonely and unfulfilling for both partners. It’s also easy to develop feelings for someone who you’re not committed to and find it hard to say no if they offer to date you again.
Secondly, it’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting casual partners to do things that you wouldn’t expect from someone who is in a serious relationship. For example, you should not expect your casual partner to help you build IKEA furniture or pick you up from the airport when you’re out of town.
Third, casual relationships can lead to misunderstandings. This is especially true if one person in the relationship is trying to keep things casual but still develops strong feelings for the other.
Finally, casual relationships can lead to conflicts and tension between partners. This is because it can be difficult to understand each other’s point of view and how to work together to resolve issues that arise in a relationship.
Being flexible allows you to be adaptable to different situations and come up with creative solutions that work for both parties. It also helps you to overcome challenges and learn from mistakes, so that you can grow as a person. Being flexible can help you succeed in school, at work and in your personal relationships as well.
5. Be Creative
While casual dating isn’t for everyone, it can be a great option for those who are open to a non-committal relationship. It can also be helpful for those who want to meet a wide variety of people in a short amount of time.
When it comes to casual dating, one of the most important things is to be clear about your intentions right from the start. You don’t want to be in a relationship where you have no idea if your date is serious about you or not.
In addition, you want to be clear about what sex means to you. While some relationships may be able to work out without sex, most casual relationships involve a little bit of it. This isn’t a problem if you have a good understanding of your own limits when it comes to sex and intimacy, however.
Another key part of being creative when it comes to casual dating is figuring out what kind of dates you want. For instance, if you’re looking for a guy who is fun and adventurous, you might want to plan activities like skydiving or miniature golf.
You can also plan a night out to see a movie or eat at a nice restaurant. These are all ways to have a great time with a new person and get to know them better.
If you’re in a relationship, it’s a good idea to make sure you are still enjoying your free time together and not letting your relationship get in the way of that. No one wants to feel like they are stuck at home, watching DVDs or cooking dinner for their partner.
There are a lot of reasons why people prefer casual relationships over hookups, and they are all very different. It all depends on what you want out of your relationship, what you have going on in your life and who you are as a person.
