Dating in the 21st century is brutal. Between moving from your hometown to a big city, the hassle of figuring out where you want to go in said big city, and actually trying to get to know the people you meet, dating can be next to impossible.
And sometimes, when you really like someone, it can be even harder than that. Fortunately, as with any problem, there are ways to solve it. If you need a push in the right direction, here are six of the most common dating problems today and how to solve them.
1. The “I’m Not Good Enough” Problem
It’s scary to think that some people go their whole lives without meeting anyone they like. That’s not because there aren’t enough good people out there, it’s just that they’ve convinced themselves that they’re not good enough to be liked.
This is an easy problem to solve: the best way to convince yourself that you’re good enough is to believe it. Sure, some people might be more attractive than others, and those people might have a distinct advantage on the dating scene. But that doesn’t mean that someone who isn’t as attractive can’t find love, too — and that the only difference is that they don’t believe it.
2. The “We’re Too Different” Problem
The great thing about dating is that you get to learn things about other people, and they get to learn things about you. But the bad thing about dating is that sometimes, you find out that what you want in life is different from your significant other.
Of course, it’s not always easy to get past something like that. But sometimes, the best way to solve the problem is to decide — together — whether it’s worth working through. And remember, differences don’t always spell doom for relationships. Minor differences can make things more interesting and exciting, but major ones can certainly lead to the end of a relationship.
3. The “I Can’t Meet Anyone” Problem
Some people can’t go five minutes without seeing someone they might like. And then some feel like no matter how much they try, they can never meet anyone interesting.
This is an easy problem to solve: you just have to put yourself in a position where there are more people you might like. That could mean going out more often or trying a new activity, even if it scares you a bit. But if you don’t have the time, you could try working with a professional matchmaker to solve this problem.
4. The “He’s/She’s Just Not That Into Me” Problem
It’s easy to assume that someone you like doesn’t like you back. And while it happens all the time, it can be resolved with communication. It can be hard to talk about your feelings, but if you’re not getting the right kind of attention from someone you’re interested in, it’s worth putting in the effort.
To solve this, try talking about your feelings without being too forward. Find out how they feel in a roundabout way, and if it turns out that there really is no interest, at least you can save yourself some time.
5. The “We Have Nothing In Common” Problem
What’s worse than knowing that someone likes you, only to find that you have nothing in common? Not much. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be together and still enjoy things, but it’s an important detail to know before jumping into a relationship.
Luckily, you can solve this problem easily. Start by talking about what you each like to do, how often you do it, and who else you usually do it with. If you find that there are too many differences, see if there’s anything you can agree on. Begin there, and remember that if you try hard enough, you can always find common ground somewhere.
6. The “I’m Getting Too Old For This Dating Thing” Problem
Some people don’t want anything to do with dating, and that’s perfectly fine. But other people feel like they’re just not there yet. Still, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to find someone special at any age.
To solve this problem, you have to figure out why you’re not interested. After all, you could just be in between relationships and not really thinking about it one way or another. But if you feel like you’re too old for the dating game, it might be worth exploring.
Dating can be difficult, but with a little effort, you can solve any problem that comes up. These six common dating problems are easy to fix, but they can be so difficult for some people. If you have someone in mind, remember that it’s important to communicate if you want to make things work. Just remember not to be too pushy, and always make sure to respect the other person’s opinions.