The best way to find a meaningful relationship is to stop looking for one.
When you are looking for someone to spend time with and, perhaps, fall in love, you lose sight of the baby steps it takes to achieve your ultimate goal.
Instead of instantly thinking marriage while staring at that cute guy on the opposite side of the bar, find a connection, and then see where that connection takes you by following these steps.
Before you know it, you’ll be in a meaningful relationship!
Step One: Know Yourself
You have to understand who you are and be comfortable with being alone before you can ever find someone who will want to spend time with you.
Dating is fun, and you will meet some fantastic people, but if you don’t like yourself, how can you expect others to like you, much less want to be with you?
It’s okay to go to the movies by yourself, and there is nothing wrong spending a Friday night at home with a good book. Become comfortable with silence instead of always having to fill the hours surrounded by other people.
You’re going to discover the most important person of all in your meaningful relationships: you!
Meditate, take walks and spend time reflecting on who you are and want you want out of life. Don’t be defined by whether you are in a relationship.
Be confident in your path first, and then go find someone who wants to take the journey with you.
Step Two: Be Open To Love
Sometimes you may think you are open to love and relationships, but in reality, you are closed off because you are afraid of being hurt.
Making connections isn’t always easy, and there are times when a relationship doesn’t work out. If that happens, don’t be afraid to get out there and try again.
The next relationship you have may be the one you were looking for all along.
And when you do experience a breakup, don’t focus on the negative aspects of that relationship. All connections are comprised of highs and lows.
Focus on the good times and everything you gained from being with that person. Use it to shape who you are so that you can learn more from the next person you meet.
Step Three: Be Willing To Compromise
Everyone has the picture of their ideal mate in their minds; however, reality will often throw you a curve ball when you least expect it. Don’t be afraid to date someone just because he or she doesn’t fit your profile of the perfect match.
You may be surprised at how much this person has to offer and who knows, he or she may be more of your ideal then you realize.
Step Four: Take It Slow
When you are dating don’t try to rush yourself or your partner. Don’t push for intimacy, rush to move in with your significant other or become engaged too quickly.
First, you might scare off someone who could turn into a long-term relationship, but is reticent at first for his or her own reasons.
Second, you won’t be enjoying the current time you are having with that person.
Set your expectations aside when entering into a relationship. If the things you dream of are meant to happen, then they will happen in their own time. If they don’t happen, then that is because they weren’t meant to be.
Take things as they come and enjoy the time you have with the one you are with.
Step Five: Make It Personal
Even if the person you are dating is not the one you are meant to be with, you still have to give all of yourself to the relationship in order for it to be meaningful. In fact, if you don’t hold anything back, then you will have deeper, more meaningful relationships with everyone in your life.
Don’t be afraid of getting hurt or that you are wasting your time. Live, laugh and love deeply and completely to get the most out of life and your relationships.
Your one true love is out there somewhere. Even if the person you are dating now isn’t that person, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful relationship.
Understand who you are, be open to love in whatever form it takes and enjoy the other person without any expectations.
Then when you find the one you are meant to be with, you will be able to commit yourself fully and experience a love that will last a lifetime.
