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The First-timer’s Guide to the Galaxy of Dating

Embarking on a new relationship is always an exciting series of events, but for those who may be experiencing the highs and lows of dating for the first time in their lives, it can also be kind of nerve-racking. If that’s the case for your newly minted romance, then these tidbits of advice may be of service to you.

Keep in mind that I’m no expert on love or anything like that, but I am someone who was once in your shoes, and I want to help make those first few months between you and your “bae” a little less awkward and a lot more enjoyable.

1. Get to know each other – This may sound like a given, but you’d be surprised at how little some long-standing couples really know about each other. Take the time to not only talk to your partner about your own likes, dislikes and opinions, but also step back, and listen to theirs as well.

The things you’ll come to learn will help you better understand your significant other and can provide some much needed clarity on where your relationship may or may not go from that point forward.

2. Become fluent in body language – Unless your name is Charles Xavier or Jean Grey, I’m going to assume that reading minds is not a skill that’s tucked away in your arsenal. That’s why it’s important to pick up on the non-verbal signs that you may be sending to each other, whether they be intentional or not.

This will make it easier to recognize if your partner is happy, if they’re feeling down or even if they’re getting flirty with you. Remember, a wink is a good thing, not a facial tick.

3. Learn to compromise – Say you’re at the movies and you can’t agree on what to watch; one of you wants to check out “Kingsman” at 7, while the other wants to see “Fifty Shades of Grey” at 7:30.

Instead of passionately going back and forth at each other on why Colin Firth is overrated or how the “Fifty Shades” books are nothing but bad “Twilight” fan-fiction (They actually are, in case you didn’t know that), try to calmly work out an agreement between the two of you.

The ability to compromise with one another will come in handy in many more situations besides the great movie conundrum, so it wouldn’t hurt to start honing that skill as soon as possible.

4. Become comfortable with saying “I’m sorry” – Back in the ‘70s, the movie “Love Story” popularized the phrase “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” As sickeningly sweet and sappy as that may sound, I wouldn’t exactly take that philosophy to heart.

Sometimes, we say or do things to the ones we love and care for that aren’t exactly very loving or caring. Most of the time, we don’t actually intend to hurt our loved ones feelings, and it’s quite possible that they may be aware of that. However, that doesn’t mean we get a free pass from apologizing.

5. Be open about your feelings
– I understand what it’s like to be a little out of touch with your emotions, but when it comes to relationships, it’s best to come clean about how you feel than to keep your thoughts buried deep down in limbo.

If you want to tell your boyfriend or girlfriend how much you care for them, then do it. If you feel like things may not be working out between the two of you, then say something. If you’re not feeling anything at all, then don’t be afraid to open up about it.

Relationships can be fun, relaxed, intimate, educational, stressful, joyous and heart-breaking, but if you can’t learn to be honest with yourself, how will you know how to be honest with another human being?

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