Dating is tricky, but it was trickier in middle school. The smallest of the things were good enough to move you and the bigger ones were completely out of perspective. And now that you are no longer in middle school, your priorities might have changed completely. The things that you want from your relationships are no longer the same. Yet, certain rules in dating never change.
With ShallonOnline, find out what rules of dating that you followed in middle school are still relevant even today:
- Spending time being in touch
When you are in middle school and having a romance, phones are your best friends. A lot of people have managed to impress their crush by being available over phone with them, talking to them during late hours of the night and sharing their most intimate secrets.
It might not be possible for you, as an adult, to spend the same amount of time over your phone. Besides, dating is a much mature act for you now and you might just prefer meeting the other person and talking to them directly. However, telephonic conversations never go old. As an adult, it will allow you and the person you are dating to have a conversation starter. It is much more personal and intimate than texting and certainly leaves more butterflies in your stomach if the conversation goes interesting!
- Plan your dates well
Going on a date with someone while you are in middle school is a great event. As adults, the dates are not that much of an excitement. The busy routine and numerous responsibilities of adult life might not leave the room, time and energy in your life to plan an actual date and make a big deal out of it. But, going out with your loved ones can prove to be a very healthy exercise in your relationship.
Even if you are seeing someone for a short time or you are in a long term relationship, going out on a dinner will never get old. Try to plan and organize your dates properly. Find a place that both of you will like to go, pick your date up on time and spend time talking with each other. This can help you get clarity about a new romance and make an old one stronger.
- Flirt with your partner
Flirting is healthy, exciting and a lot of fun with someone that you like. It helps partners to develop a better bond with each other and also develops certain memories that go a long way. When you are in middle school, flirting is easier and more innocent. For adults, it is sometimes more difficult to say the right thing because you may be worried about saying the wrong thing or saying too less or too much. But, flirting is fun at all ages.
Engage in mild flirting in the beginning. Remember that the purpose of flirting is to tell your partner that you are comfortable around them. Start with making small gestures and saying little and simple things. Check if the other person is responding and flirting back. If yes, you can raise the bar. But if they do not seem like interested, you may just need to leave this one.
- Spending time away from each other
Dating is all fun and exciting in the initial days, no matter if you are an adult with a serious job or a teenager with an after school club to attend after classes. When a romance is new, everyone wants to spend more and more time with their partners. However, it is very important to make sure that all of your time is not consumed in your relationship and both of you are having your own social life away from each other.
Spending time apart from each other helps you to contemplate things and also think about the things that you want from yourself and your partner. It is easier to find your own time in middle school because you are caught up in a number of mandatory routine exercises. As adults, you need to find that time for yourself. Do it and also encourage your partner for the same.
- Taking the next step slowly
At whatever point you are in your relationship, there is always a next step to take. When you are in middle school, walking on the street holding hands could have been a perfect definition of intimacy. Being an adult can change this. You are more experienced in life and the first kiss or a sleepover at their place may not take a very long time. But as adults, it becomes more important to go slow in a relationship.
If you have just met a few times, go slow in inviting them over to your place for the night. Take your time and make sure that it is what you really want. If you have move past it and have entered a more serious phase, do not rush your relationship to the next phase by asking your partner to, say move in with you, without giving it much thought. Think about the changes that the next step can bring in your personal lives and act accordingly.
- Talk about the future
In middle school, people have a lot of plans about themselves and their lives. When they get into a romantic relationship, they have plans for their future and of their partners as well. As teenagers, it is easier, but adults usually have it all planned. Discuss your ideas with your partner and talk about where your relationship is headed.
- Keep a window open
Teenager or adult, heartbreaks are difficult for everyone and it may not be easy to move on after having a good time with someone. But, you need to keep that option always open for yourself, in case things go south. Be committed and dedicated but also make sure that you are treated with respect by your partner. If not, exercise your option of moving on.
