What Do You Want From Dating? Thoughts on Dating Self Discovery

People date for different. Have you examined what yours is? Every woman who is in the dating world as some point has to ask herself what her objective is. Not every woman wants to marry and have children so does that mean there is no point to her dating? Is dating only a means to an end? It depends on who you ask.

Some date to find a mate. They are interested in a long term relationship and maybe even a life time commitment. Some women wish to stay single but enjoy the company of men and engage in serial monogamy or open dating. Still some like to have a partner to do things with. They want to be able to have a plus one for events such as weddings. There are those who go into dating with no agenda whatsoever and decide to just let nature take its course and see what happens.

To be your authentic self in the dating world you have to be honest about what you want and expect from the experience. If you truly seek a life partner, marriage and perhaps a family there is a point when you are dating someone that you must have the conversation about whether you share those goals and feel that connection with each other. If you want different things or you want the same things but there is no connection then it is best for you both to cut your losses and move on. Spinning your dating wheels is useless as is holding out hope that someone will change and come around to your way of thinking. If both parties agree that they are dating for fun or companionship that is OK too. It is when one person represents themselves as wanting one thing when they actually want another that people get hurt.

Telling yourself you want something when you really want something else is a good way to ensure you get hurt as well. Don't tell someone you want to keep it casual if you really want commitment. If you are afraid of scaring them off there is a way to discuss your needs without making them think you want to elope on the first date.

Even if you want commitment, that doesn't mean the person you are dating is the right person to commit to. You have to get to know them and that is done by dating.

Once you have done the work of self-discovery when it comes to dating, you can be your authentic self with others. Once you are comfortable with your decisions and needs, you can approach dating in an honest way.