If you haven’t been on a date in a long time, the prospect of meeting up with a stranger can be a daunting one. You might worry that you won’t have anything to talk about, that you won’t gel with them or that the whole evening will be an awkward encounter. This is particularly true if you are a shy person and someone that worries. It’s important to keep in mind a few things. Firstly that the other person is probably feeling the exact same way that you are and secondly that the way you are feeling is completely valid. In order to try and make the date that bit easier, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself ahead of time. Here we take a look at a few tips that can help you boost your confidence and hopefully have a great date. Remember if it doesn’t go well, don’t be afraid to keep going on dates with other people until you find the right person for you.

Pick somewhere that’s not too formal

Dating can feel like a lot of pressure, so to avoid it being awkward or stuffy, pick somewhere that’s not too formal. You could choose an activity such as bowling or crazy golf, or pick a lively bar rather than a posh restaurant. These are all things that can make it that bit easier to talk, laugh and have something to distract you rather than the intensity of having to look into each others eyes and talk in a silent restaurant.

Speak to them plenty of times ahead of your date

It’s important to speak plenty ahead of your date so you know some common interests and things to talk about. If you’re feeling very nervous, some people choose things such as opting for English or Spanish chatlines (depending on where you’re from) to practice speaking to others and get their confidence up. Speak with your future date on the phone or text message and build a rapport, this way you have more of a connection.

Try not to overthink it

Nothing is worse than overthinking to spoil a good thing. Try to brush away any pressure that you are putting on yourself and instead just have fun and go with the flow. Don’t think of it as anymore than meeting up with a friend and if something is to come of it, then great. If not, it doesn’t matter. Removing the pressure and overthinking makes it much more pleasant and you will be less nervous too!

These are just a few top tips that you can try to do before your date to ensure you go with the right headspace. Dating can be nerve-wracking and you can often put a lot of pressure on yourself, but it’s important to just go with the flow and if it doesn’t work, put it down to experience. Have you recently been on a date? How did you prepare? Let us know in the comments below!