So, you have a big date coming up? Well, good for you! Everyone deserves to feel wanted or at least have some kind of romantic interest, even if that romantic interest is falling back in love with yourself and your self-care for a while. When we do have a big date, it’s not uncommon for us to feel insecure. This is because we wish to be accepted by the other person or at least validated by them. However, this can be going about things the wrong way. You should hope for them to impress you, not the other way around, provided you do intend to show the best of yourself. This can help you avoid getting into relationships with those who may not be worth it, or to do so through a need instead of a want.

But how can you prepare for a big date with confidence so you hold that mindset going in? There are very many ways, mostly found in preparation, that you can apply to achieve this result. Please, consider the following advice to this end - and good luck!

Prepare Your Carry Bag

Prepare your carry bag. Ensure that your mobile phone is well charged should you need to contact someone or cut the date short, as well as letting a friend or family member know your movements. It can also be those extra helpers, such as tablets to stop diarrhea or lip balm will help you keep on top of your health and prevent it from interfering with your date. That in itself can grant you more confidence.

Exercise & Treat Yourself

Getting your mood and motivation up before a date can help you feel enthusiastic about your upcoming experience, but most of all enthusiastic about yourself. Don’t be afraid to purchase that dress or outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks. Going for a run and a massage in the same day can help you expel all of your pent up stressful energies and let you feel at peace when it comes to enjoying yourself. If you’ve already made the investment in yourself that day, an investment that screams ‘I am good enough’, then you needn’t worry about date anxiety.

Hold No Expectations

The less expectations you hold for the date, the more you can enjoy what actually happens, or focus on it more appropriately. This can help you avoid thinking of your date as a series of checkmarks that must be met in order for you to have a good time. Did they not hold the Uber door open for you when arriving at the restaurant? No? Well, is that such a big deal? Might it be they have a great personality and have manners but made one minor blunder? What if you wanted them to give you the same benefit of the doubt? It’s worth thinking of things in this way, because it can help you avoid being shallow and you’ll instead get to know the person you’re meeting.

With this advice, we hope you can prepare for that big date with real, practical confidence.