Ah, summer — a time for fun flings, low-key romances and sexy hook-ups. And these days many of us are turning to online dating sites to find our perfect (for now) catch of the season. But before you sign up or log-in, please read the following online dating tips to save you time, energy, embarrassment, and the pain of sitting through long, drawn-out dates that leave you feeling deflated and depressed.
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In the last few years, I’ve made some pretty enormous changes in my life. First, I moved from Chicago to New York to be with Drew, leaving behind a wonderful circle of long-time friends. Then, I started a stay-at-home freelance writing career. Then I got married. Then I moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn, and then I got pregnant. To say my social life has changed as a result of all this would be an under-statement. Recently, I’ve realized an overwhelming need to not only work harder at strengthening the friendships I’ve made in New York, but in making some solid new ones — especially with people who are at similar places in their lives as I am (i.e. stay-at-home folks, self-employed people, other pregnant ladies and new parents).
Perhaps it’s a coincidence, or maybe it’s just me noticing the topic more, but at exactly the same time I made the realization that I need a stronger social circle for my emotional well-being, it seems like more and more people are writing to me with questions about how to do just that. Through a variety of life transitions, many of us are experiencing a need for new friends, but we’re realizing that forming those bonds isn’t as easy as it may have been when we were all in school. Luckily, I wrote an article a couple years ago all about making friends as grown-ups and my tips and suggestions still hold true and are worth re-visiting if you need a little motivation. And if you have any tips or anecdotes you’d like to share, please do so in the comments!
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In this era of online dating, popular work and study abroad programs, long deployments, ease of travel, and friends and family often scattered across the globe, meeting people in other cities (or countries!) and maintaining long distance relationships is more common than ever. My own relationship with my husband began as an LDR and I like to think I learned a thing or two about maintaining a successful one. After the jump, 15 tips that may help you, too, survive a long distance relationship.
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I have this friend who reads this site and she’s probably going to be pissed that I’m using her as an example of what not to do when it comes to relationships (um, sorry in advance!), but here it goes. This friend, whom I’ll call Carol, and I were talking the other day and she was telling me about this new guy she just started seeing after a rather painful breakup. I was happy she took my advice to get back on the horse and not waste too much time wallowing over her ex, but I was really concerned when she told me about one of her conversations with the new guy.
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The other day I wrote a post called “8 Ways to Keep the Spark Alive.” One of the tips I offered was to go on regular dates, to which a commenter asked if I had any “cheap date” ideas. Well, I do. I have 52 of them, as a matter of fact — one for each week of the year. So, after the jump, discover (or be reminded of) some fun ways to get out and about – in great weather or bad — without breaking your budget.
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