There’s nothing better than hanging out with friends, especially if they’re single and looking along with you. They provide support – they sympathize with you (or make fun of) the awful dates, help you search through profiles, and help you figure out whether or not a guy is a douche (or something like that).
While all this can help you get through the sometimes frustrating process of dating, friends can also get in the way. You know what I’m talking about. Some friends can be pretty negative, and you end up feeling hopeless instead of cheered up.
It’s really important to know what’s right for you, how you feel, and to follow your own path.
Let’s look at a couple of examples. Let’s say you’re excited about a first date with a man you met online. You show your friend his profile and picture, and she immediately starts listing off things that are wrong, whether it’s his job, or his lack of hair, or the way he describes his perfect date (“Walk on the beach at sunset? – please, be original!”). Suddenly, you’re not so excited to see him anymore, and when you do meet him, you start judging right away. If your friend hadn’t pointed out the problems that she saw, you might have had a better time with your date and possibly connected. Just because your friend thinks someone isn’t right for you doesn’t mean she’s right.
Also, make sure you don’t hide behind your friends. Some people are shyer than others, and tend to go out in groups so they won’t feel so intimidated in social situations. But when you go out with your group of girlfriends to a bar or restaurant hoping to meet men, the men will be the ones who are intimidated. Can you imagine approaching a woman only to have an audience judging you for every word you say? So if you’re surrounded by friends, don’t expect guys to approach. Instead, try going out with just one friend, or separate yourself from your friends at the bar.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and you probably do too (or why have them?). We depend on friends to help us through life. Just make sure you aren’t leaning on your friends so much that it gets in the way of you finding someone who’s right for you – not for them. In the end, it’s up to you to make the effort and the decisions. That’s all.
*This is a sponsored post.
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
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