Trust your time.
“We’re all guilty of trying to get to the next milestone and meet arbitrary deadlines, but at the end of the day, life just falls into place at the right time for you. Looking back, it was clear I wasn’t ready when I wanted love so badly but couldn’t make a relationship work. I was so focused on meeting someone before I turned 30 because society has conditioned us (especially as women!) that if you miss your chance, it’s too late. But, as the host of my dating podcast for the past eight years, this simply isn’t true. We’ve seen people find love at any age! Whatever stage of life you’re in, enjoy it for what it is. Because it’s only a matter of when, not if, you’ll meet that special someone and fall in love.” Julie Krafchick, co-host of the “Dateable” podcast
Risk your life and stay optimistic.
“The first part of this is simply recognizing that an amazing relationship won’t fall out of the sky. You have to be willing to take risks—for example, starting conversations with strangers, even if it means the possibility of rejection—in order to find what you’re looking for.
The second part is recognizing that dating is hard, even if you’re attractive and wonderful, and the only way you can survive the journey is if you stay positive. If you start viewing dating negatively, you’ll both lose the energy to take a chance and date, and you’ll actively push people away, because negativity is more repulsive than bad breath. Blaine Anderson, dating coach in Austin, Texas
Know what love you have to give and what love you want to receive.
“A lot of people want to be in love, to be in a relationship, but few really know what they need. Are you looking for someone who is like you? Someone who is different from you? How about someone who loves to sing or who likes to take pictures of their food? It’s important to know who we are and what we need, rather than chasing the nebulous concept of “love.” Also, what do you bring to the table? A relationship is a two-way street, it’s not just about receiving and having the “perfect love story,” it’s a commitment and a partnership between people.” ― Sam See, a London-based stand-up comedian
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.