You went out one night with your girlfriends and met this really handsome guy. You chatted a bit, and just before you left he asked you for your number. A few days later, he calls and asks you on a date. You say yes, naturally. But all of a sudden you’re a nervous wreck. This guy was really cute and seemed really nice – you don’t want to screw it up! Now an event that’s supposed to be fun has become totally stressful for you. Why do first dates have to be so nerve-wracking?
The answer is: they don’t. First dates shouldn’t be stressful, they should be comfortable and fun. Will you have a few butterflies in your stomach? Of course. But if you’re so stressed out that you almost want to call and cancel, it’s a bad sign. You should never stress so much over a first date, and here’s why.
He Already Likes You
If a guy asks you out on a date, it means he likes you. He might not know a whole lot about you, but what he does know and see he likes. You already have a leg-up. He sees something in you already, and all you have to do is continue to be yourself.
It’s Not as Important as You Think It Is
First dates are important, yes, but they aren’t as important as you think they are. Everyone gets nervous on first dates, and they rarely ever go perfectly. You can’t expect instant shooting stars; you just have to work on building some kind of connection. If he likes you, he won’t hold it against you that you used the wrong fork or said the wrong thing. The second and third dates are more important ones.
No One Else is Going to Care
If you do something embarrassing on a first date, in most cases no one else is ever going to find out unless you tell them. The people who really matter to you – your friends, family, coworkers – they aren’t going to be judging your first date performance. If it doesn’t go so well, you can move on and forget about it.
If It Doesn’t Work Out, So What?
When you’re getting so stressed out about one first date, what are you worried about? That it won’t work out? If it doesn’t work out, so what? That guy was just one guy, and he obviously wasn’t the one for you. It’s better to find out now rather than later. There are so many other fish in the sea, as they say, and you can just go on another first date with someone else.
Here’s the bottom line – first dates are not worth stressing over. You are nervous, but he’s probably a little nervous, too. First dates usually don’t go as well as planned, and it would be weird if you didn’t have at least one awkward moment. Don’t let your stress get in the way of you having fun and getting to know someone new. Just relax and enjoy yourself. If things don’t go well, no big deal – just don’t have a second date.
Michelle Leigh is a self described fashionista who often blog and covers a broad range of topics from relationship advice to cosmetic brushes and style.
Photo Credit: Tastino0 – www.tastino0.it