Dating & Relationship Advice

I was so looking forward to my date that evening. Over the past few weeks we had spent some enjoyable times together. We shared a faith and had bonded over our separate experiences of going through unwanted divorces. People were starting to treat us as ‘a couple’. But the minute I saw his face that evening I knew he was going to split up with me, and he did. It had been a shortish relationship yet the disappointment I felt was real. But I learned you can do yourself a massive favour at this point by accepting that disappointments are a natural part of life, including your date-life, and then turn them into something that actually helps you. Here’s what might help the process of dating after disappointment.

We probably all grew up with an expectation of what the perfect relationship would look like. Romantic movies, adverts on television, books and our own imaginations help to create the idea of the ideal partner and the model relationship. Couples that look like they have it so ‘together’. This can be heightened when single. It is hard when you first start dating someone and reality kicks in! You are excited, the butterflies start fluttering, you start thinking about the future and can be desperate to impress. But not every moment will be wonderful and we need to think about expectation vs reality. Even in small ways, expectations are not met, and hard conversations can be needed to make a successful, happy relationship. How can you balance your expectations and not let yourself be disappointed by reality?

If one of your goals for this year was to find love but you’ve already lost your momentum, misplaced your mojo or your self-esteem has taken a hit, I’m here to tell you that you have plenty of time and that you can get both your confidence and your enthusiasm back. If you’re in a slow patch right now or if you’ve grown disillusioned with dating, some simple steps may help you to refocus, feel better about yourself and get back on track to stay motivated to date.

Do you ever find yourself in a dating dilemma? Going over and over in your head what’s going on in your heart? Perhaps you feel stuck? Maybe sometimes you even feel like giving up? I know I did. During my single years I was truly grateful for people who supported me in different ways. Each one of them brought fresh insight and a sense of encouragement when I needed it. I call them an intentional supportive community and I recommend them to anyone looking to meet someone special.

A new year is a time for fresh starts, the hopeful possibilities of good that a new year can bring and sometimes new resolutions. There is an excitement and anticipation of what the new year can bring – a bubbling energy is expectant for what God has in store for you. A fresh year maybe to find a life partner? Meet someone new? How can you find your dating energy in the new year, especially if it feels like you’re starting yet another year of being single?

January. A new year. A blank page. An opportunity to start afresh, to write the love story that we want to write. But how do we make sure our story has the desired happy ending? Here are some suggestions from my own experience, both of looking for love and writing stories.

Whether you’ve just joined Christian Connection for the first time or are returning after a break, we understand that navigating the world of online dating can feel overwhelming. To help you start well and grow in confidence, we commission exclusive advice from a range of dating and relationship experts, published weekly on our blog. From creating an attractive profile to that important first message to how to plan a great date to help you get started and to flourish – we’re with you all the way! Here we look at some of the topics that have really resonated this year. Covering the earliest stages of dating – “Why your perfect partner might be right under your nose” to the things that really matter in a relationship – “5 things I wish I knew before I got married”. Wherever you are on your dating journey, we’re here to help with practical, inspiring advice. Here are our five most popular posts of the last year.

Did you know that January could be the best time to meet someone new? Many people see the new year as a time for new beginnings – an opportunity to change our habits and freshen things up, perhaps by starting a new DIY project or giving up chocolate. But did you know that this month is the most popular time to join an online dating site? If that’s you, welcome! Whether you’re trying out online dating for the very first time, returning after a break or just want to freshen things up, here at Christian Connection, we think trying something new can be the key to success when it comes to finding a partner. Here are our top tips to help you find love in 2023.