Chances are if you’ve found yourself hot on the heels of a bad date, you’re also beating yourself up over “wasted” time, too. You could have been at the gym, doing a few loads of laundry, or catching up with a friend. However, there are some surprising benefits that stem from being dealt a bad date or two, and no – I’m not referring to the obvious perks like the potential for a free meal, a funny story to tell your friends, or confirming the old notion of kissing a few frogs before you find your prince. I’m referring to the important lessons that only bad dates can teach us.
The following are 5 reasons why your bad date may have been a blessing:
1. You‘re learning to be more accepting of people’s faults
Let’s say this is now the fifth time you’ve been on a bad date where the guy you’re with makes an insensitive remark, or asks a question that seems a bit offside or rude. Instead of mentally clicking the “NEXT!” button like you usually would, you’re actually considering cutting this guy a bit of slack. Good for you! People simply don’t always think before they speak when they’re nervous, or just getting to know someone – or when they like someone. Bad dates teach you to be a little more easy going and forgiving, which could help you in the future – you might not write someone off so easily next time.
2. You’re getting smarter
When I say getting smarter, I’m referencing your inability to tolerate men who aren’t gentlemen. The more times a man tries to get you in bed too soon, the more you appreciate a patient gentleman. The more times a bad date consists of a man talking solely about himself and not asking you anything about yourself, the more you appreciate the men who take a sincere interest in you. If a night out with a dud is what we need in order to smarten up and stop taking the good guys for granted, then they’re worth the skipped gym session.
3. You’re learning what’s most important
We all have deal breakers, and bad dates can help us re-evaluate them. As time goes on we gain experience and are not only better equipped to define our irrefutable deal breakers, but also which qualities we value most in a significant other.
4. You’ve got a fresh perspective
Perhaps a few bad dates with men who all seem to be the same has taught you to start giving men who aren’t your “type” a chance. Many women are the happiest they’ve ever been when they finally open their eyes to someone who wouldn’t normally have caught their attention. It’s part of growing up, and the bad dates help us see what’s most important.
5. You’re working through your own weaknesses
Your bad date is a great guinea pig for you to learn from your mistakes, just in time for when Mr. Right rolls in. While your bad dates provide clarity on what’s crucial for compatibility and teach you about yourself, you’re simultaneously learning valuable life lessons, building character and becoming someone’s Mrs. Right in the process.
