The Blog
  • Dating
  • Couple Goals
  • The Data
  • The Site
JOIN POF TODAY
The Blog
The Blog
  • Dating
  • Couple Goals
  • The Data
  • The Site
  • Advice
  • Dating

Dating Got You Down? Here’s How to Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy in Your Dating Life

  • October 3, 2019
  • 3 minute read
  • Carly Johannson
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Low self-esteem and inadequacy – we don’t like to talk about them, especially in regards to dating, but they’re natural feelings, and we definitely have all felt them. 

Dating is not always a walk in the park. As much as we’d like it to be as easy as going on only one date to find our happily ever after, this is unfortunately not always the case. Finding your person often takes some serious effort and a whole lot of trial and error, and when things don’t go our way it can leave us feeling less than stellar. 

When the dates just aren’t going your way, and the feelings of inadequacy start creeping in, here are the top two tips to overcome them.   

Take an Intentional Break From Dating

If you just got out of a sub-par relationship, or feel like you’ve been going on date after date with no luck, one of the best things you can do for yourself is take an intentional break from dating. 

We surveyed 2,000 singles in the United States, and the study revealed 62% said that yes, they take intentional breaks from dating.

Why do this, you ask?

Simple. If your dating life is causing a hit to your self-esteem, it’s time you take a break to focus on the areas of your life that make you happy. 

The majority (52%) of singles who said they take breaks from dating do it, so they can focus on family, friends, career etc

When you spend time and energy on the people and things in your life that already matter, you’ll be rewarded with both love and care from family and friends, and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from the extra effort put into your work. You may even want to spend some of your date-free time taking up a new hobby, or rediscovering an old one. 

The point is, dating should make you feel good. If it doesn’t, it’s time for a break! 

Dedicate Time to Self-Care

Self-care is always important; but when you’re feeling down in the dumps after a few bad dates, it’s even more important to spend time taking care of yourself. 

The majority of singles (59%) report their self-esteem is either average, low, or very low

As humans, we often struggle daily with feeling good about ourselves. In order to like what we see on the outside, we have to like what we see on the inside first, and a focus on self-care is the best way to do this. 

Self-care can look different for everyone and can be any number of things as long as it’s following one guiding principle: it makes you feel GOOD.

If you’re stuck on where to start, here are some good options:

  • Spend time with family and friends (20% of singles say this has worked for them to overcome feelings of inadequacy)
  • Journaling/meditation
  • Spend time alone (18% of singles choose solitude which can be a great way to clear the mind)
  • Exercise (14% of singles say this has worked for them to overcome feelings of inadequacy)
  • Cleaning/tidying
  • Grooming (taking a bath, painting your nails etc.)
  • Focus on hobbies or things you’re good at (21% of singles say this has worked for them to overcome feelings of inadequacy)
  • Cooking
  • Talk to a therapist/counselor (3% of singles say this has worked for them to overcome feelings of inadequacy)

These suggestions will get you started, but the trick is to find your own routine that helps you feel like the best version of yourself.

Bad dates and bad relationships are no fun, and everyone deserves to feel happy and confident. If you’re struggling with feelings of inadequacy in your dating life, hopefully, some time spent focusing on the above tips will soon have you feeling good as new and ready to try again.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Carly Johannson

Carly is on the Brand Team at Plenty of Fish. She's a certified English nerd with a passion for new adventures and a tendency to stop mid-sentence to point out dogs on the street. When she's not enthralled by nature documentaries and/or whatever is on Food Network, you'll find her cooking extravagant meals and memorizing rap lyrics to perform badly at karaoke nights.

Previous Article
  • POF Success

The Most Epic Proposal We’ve Seen Yet – Probation Officer Stunned as Her Boyfriend Proposes in Shackles!

  • October 1, 2019
  • Kate Maclean
View Post
Next Article
  • Advice
  • Dating

Cuffing Season is Upon Us: 15 Best Romantic Fall Date Ideas

  • October 8, 2019
  • Kate Maclean
View Post

Subscribe

Tips to Your Inbox!

You May Also Like
View Post
  • Dating

How Self-Awareness Supports Healthy Masculinity and Healthy Relationships: A Guide for Singles

  • March 7, 2023
  • A Call to Men Team
View Post
  • Dating
  • Love Stories

21 unique date ideas for Valentine’s Day 2023

  • February 3, 2023
  • Pushpek Sidhu
View Post
  • Advice
  • Dating
  • Love Stories

Here’s how you can date safely online

  • January 10, 2023
  • Plenty of Fish Team
View Post
  • Dating

Know who they really are with our new Selfie Verification feature 

  • December 20, 2022
  • Plenty of Fish Team
View Post
  • Dating

Holiday Giveaway Official Rules

  • December 12, 2022
  • Plenty of Fish Team
View Post
  • Advice
  • Dating

Get peace of mind with Garbo 

  • December 6, 2022
  • Plenty of Fish Team
View Post
  • Dating
  • Lifestyle

In your Infla-Dating era

  • December 5, 2022
  • Plenty of Fish Team
View Post
  • Dating

How dating should be

  • October 19, 2022
  • Plenty of Fish Team

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe

Get Tips to Your Inbox

Privacy PolicyTerms of UseCookie Policy

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

✗

Header

pre

post

No Thanks