Casual dating is a great way to meet people without any pressure of commitment. However, it can also be frustrating.
When you’re in a casual relationship, it’s important to establish what you want out of the relationship upfront.
This helps both parties understand what they are getting into and ensures everyone’s expectations are met.
Have Fun
If you want to avoid getting hurt as a man, you have to remember that dating is meant to be fun. It’s a way to make new friends, explore your city, and maybe even find a match for lifelong romance.
However, if you take things too seriously, you can end up getting emotionally attached to someone you’re not ready to date seriously. This can be devastating to both of you, especially if your feelings turn into romantic ones.
While a casual relationship can be great for some people, it might not be right for you. Here are a few tips to help you determine whether or not a casual relationship is right for you:
First of all, make sure you know what you want before you start dating. This will ensure that you don’t waste time on a potential partner who doesn’t fit your expectations or isn’t what you’re looking for.
Another thing to consider when dating is your goals and values. For example, if you’re hoping to have kids in the future, but your partner doesn’t, you may end up hurting each other.
Finally, if you’re both able to agree on your values and goals, it will be easier to protect your heart from the potential hurt that comes with casual relationships. This can be particularly important if you’re both open to a monogamous relationship.
You can make your dates more fun by choosing activities that will allow you to get out of your comfort zone. This can be as simple as a walk around your neighborhood until you find something that interests both of you.
A walk through a park or the beach can be a lot of fun, and it can also give you the opportunity to talk about what you enjoy doing together. Similarly, a trip to a bowling alley or karaoke bar will provide plenty of laughs and a chance to try your hand at singing in front of other people.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to let your casual date know if you’re starting to feel romantic feelings for them. While it can be scary to bring up the subject, it’s important to do so if you want to move things forward without ruining your current relationship.
Don’t Take Things Too Seriously
Casual dating can be a great way to get to know someone without committing to a relationship. It can also teach you about yourself and what you need in a partner. But it’s important to remember that a casual relationship doesn’t mean you should take things too seriously.
The first thing you need to do is be honest about what you want and don’t want out of a relationship. If you’re dating for the wrong reasons or you aren’t compatible with your partner, it may be time to cut your losses and move on.
Taking a casual relationship too seriously can make it difficult to communicate with your partner, says sexuality and relationship therapist Chanta Blue, LCSW. Having a set of clear expectations and maintaining them during the relationship can help you avoid conflict.
You should also be sure to keep your expectations realistic and not allow yourself to get too attached in a casual relationship. Having unrealistic expectations can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship and can lead to heartbreak.
Another thing to watch out for is jealousy. A lot of people who date casually are looking for a serious commitment, so they might become jealous if you are starting to develop feelings for them.
This can be especially a problem if you are dating multiple people at the same time. Disclosing that you are dating other people can make your partner feel threatened and could lead to more arguments.
Having firm boundaries can be a great way to prevent jealousy. If your partner tries to initiate something more serious, be sure to tell them that you are only looking for a casual relationship and consider ending the relationship if they continue to push.
If you do not take things too seriously, you’ll be able to enjoy the process of dating and avoid getting hurt. It will also teach you that relationships are not the center of your life. You can still have a successful career, spend quality time with your family, and take up new hobbies, even if you are in a relationship.
Don’t Get Attached
A casual relationship can be fun and romantic if you know how to approach it. However, if you start getting attached too quickly, it can lead to serious issues down the road.
This can be a huge problem for men who are more commitment-phobic than women, and it can end in heartbreak. If you have a casual relationship with someone who is not ready for a serious commitment, be sure to keep your options open for the future, suggests Lovehoney scientific advisor, social psychologist, and research fellow at The Kinsey Institute Dr. Justin Lehmiller.
It is important to make your intentions clear from the beginning of the relationship. This is crucial to avoiding hurt feelings down the line and ensuring you are both on the same page, says Yana Tallon-Hicks, couples and relationships therapist.
You should also be honest with each other about what kind of a relationship you want, and where the boundaries are in terms of sexual intimacy. It is also a good idea to discuss whether you are both OK with having multiple sexual partners at the same time, as well as being tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in order to reduce the risk of getting sick.
Once you know what your boundaries are, be sure to set them up with your casual partner. It is also a good idea to communicate with each other about how to handle changes in your emotional state.
If you begin to feel jealous or resentful about the person you are casually dating, it is crucial to take a step back. This may be a sign that the relationship is not for you and you should consider leaving it to find someone who is more compatible.
The best thing to do is to talk things out with your casual partner, advises Lovehoney scientific advisor, social psychologist, research fellow at The Kinsey Institute, Dr. Justin Lehmiller. This can be a very difficult conversation to have, but it is vital to ensure that both parties are happy with the way the relationship is progressing and that they both understand where the lines are in the relationship.
Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Saying no is a skill that will help you build your confidence and give you a leg up in the dating world. It’s important to remember that saying no doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or a jerk, it just means you’re taking care of yourself and prioritizing your time and energy. Once you’ve mastered the art of saying no, you’ll be able to focus on the relationships that are best for you and your mental health.
It’s also essential to understand that casual dating isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it can actually be a good way to learn about yourself and what you really want in a relationship. It can help you to narrow down what you’re looking for in a partner, and it can allow you to enjoy interactions with others without the added pressures and demands of a relationship.
But it’s important to remember that saying no isn’t always easy, and you should be prepared for rejection if the person you’re dating doesn’t agree with your decision. You may have to explain why you’re declining their request, but it’s also important to be sincere and not lie about your reasons for saying no.
If you’re unsure about how to decline someone’s offer, try using assertive communication strategies. This can include predicting how the other person will respond and using assertive statements to show them that you’re serious about your decision.
Then, when it comes time to make your final decision, be sure to give yourself enough time to think about it and make a decision that is right for you. You’ll be happier with your decision if you know it’s the right one, and you’ll find that your relationships will run smoother once you have the courage to say no when you need to.
If you’re not sure about how to say no, consider talking to a counselor or therapist who can help you get clear on your intentions and provide tips for communicating effectively. They can also help you to recognize when you’re being too harsh or if you’re inadvertently hurting others in your quest to be assertive.
