Dipping your toe into the dating pool can be daunting, especially if it’s been a while. While you may not find your true love right away, dating can be great for making connections and rediscovering yourself.
It is important that you make sure you are ready for dating, both mentally and physically, to ensure things go smoothly. Here are some tips to help you approach dating with confidence.
Check it’s the right time
Before you start meeting people, make sure you are clear on your own wants and needs. Casual relationships can be a lot of fun, but they aren’t for everyone. Decide on some strict standards for prospective partners that you can feel confident about sticking to.
Reflect on your emotional readiness as well. Dating isn’t always sunshine and roses, but equally, it shouldn’t be stressful or feel like a chore. If you feel this way at any stage, it’s time to take a break.
Build your confidence
Loving yourself is the first step to letting someone else do the same. Confidence in dating is key, both in yourself and your worth.
Focus on self-care and positive mindsets to help you be the best version of you. Previous experiences, such as rejection or heartbreak, can give your confidence a wobble. Try to work through those feelings before dating, either by yourself or with a trained therapist.
Keep yourself safe
A lot of dating is now done online. Online platforms and dating apps are easy to use and highly convenient, especially since meeting people in real life is much more difficult these days.
However, using online sites does have its downsides. There is a risk of being scammed, so avoid sending money to anyone you haven’t met and know well. You should also keeppersonal information sharing to a minimum.
Catfishing, where people use fake photos or pretend to be someone else, is rife online. Be cautious before you agree tomeet someone, using reverse image search on any photos you have of them to see if they appear elsewhere online.
Prioritise sexual health before intimacy
Sexual health should be a consideration before getting into any new relationships. Be sure to get yourself tested before and throughout your dating experiences. This is essential for keeping yourself safe as well as any future partners.
Going to your GP is one option, but that may seem a bit embarrassing. Consider a discreet home syphilis test or similar if you’d prefer, but be sure to follow up with your doctor if you have any concerning symptoms.
Last Updated on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 by Lavania Oluban