It’s completely normal to feel nervous before a first date. This could be the start of a beautiful new romance, or it could be the waste of a good meal if you’ve been set up with a real dud. You’re going into the great unknown, so sweaty palms and a racing heart are to be expected. Here are some tips to help calm your nerves on a first date to give this budding romance its best chance to succeed:
All About Perspective
If you’re practically hyperventilating at the thought of your first date, it’s time to take a step back. You’re not about to undergo a tooth extraction, or diving off a cliff without a rope. It’s just a date – two people talking, eating, maybe watching a movie together. Reel it back and realize that the worst that could happen is that you and your date don’t quite click. Is that so bad? Especially when the best that could happen is priceless and unforgettable.
Build Up Self-Confidence
It’s easy to fall into a negative spiral before a first date. What if you’re not pretty enough, smart enough, or funny enough to impress the person on the other side of the table? Crowd out these anxious concerns with positive thoughts about yourself. Do whatever it takes to get into the zone and remind yourself that the other person is about to have dinner with a total catch.
Be in the Moment
One of the big reasons people get so nervous on first dates is a mix of fear and excitement about what the date could lead to. Never mind a second date – if marriage, kids, and thoughts of happily-ever-after are swimming through your head before you’ve even ordered drinks, no wonder you’re nervous! Wind it back and just focus on “being” in the moment. Take in the sensations of the meal and the conversation, and don’t place pressure on yourself (or on your date!) about a far-off future.
Speed Dating
Another common reason for nerves is a lack of practice. If you’ve been going through a bit of a dry spell and you’re pinning all your romance hopes on this one date, it’s understandable that you’re nervous. Speed dating with a service like 25Dates.com is a fantastic way to get more comfortable with face-to-face encounters with other singles. In just one night, you can zoom your way through three-minute microdates with 25 other singles. Not only will you get some practice and comfort that you can apply to future dates, but you can get that awkward first date out of the way with a “mutual match” in just 180 seconds. Just like that, you’ll both be ready for date #2.
Hopefully, these tips help you calm those nerves on an upcoming first date. Get out there and find love.