Too late to find that very important date?
By Jess McCann
It’s getting close to that time of year again. The stressing, the rushing, and the gift giving is back. I’m not talking about Christmas. I’m referring to that one holiday that is celebrated by couples and often cursed by singles. Yes, Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us.
If you are like most single women in D.C., you have probably already thrown in the towel this year. If you haven’t started dating someone by New Years, odds are you will be spending Valentines Day with a bottle of wine and two single girlfriends, right? Not necessarily.
I’m going to be the harbinger of hope and tell you that even though you only have fourteen days left until V-day, your chances of finding a date are not shot. While you may not be able to fall in love, and discuss marriage and kids by the 14th, you absolutely can meet someone interesting that you’d like to know better.
Think of this like a two-week boot camp. If you had a major event coming in the next two weeks, you’d probably put a lot of time and energy into working out and getting into tip-top shape. Same rules apply here. This is dating boot camp. You’ve got two weeks to make this happen, and with my help, make this happen you will.
An hour a day. Every day from now until Valentine’s, put in an hours’ worth of time looking for potential dates. Even if you have had a long day at the office, drag yourself to happy hour, or hop on Match.com for at least sixty minutes. You have to put in the time no matter how you are feeling that day. Tired? Don’t care. Stressed? Who isn’t. Hopeless? Stop your crying and put on your highest heels. You are going out prospecting for one hour. You will thank me afterward.
Change up your routine. In order to lose weight, experts recommend changing up your exercise routine to stimulate the body. I recommend the same. If you have never met someone at your favorite local watering hole, maybe you should try somewhere else for a change. Going to the same places, and seeing the same people are only going to get you the same results. Not only can a change in scenery increase your chances of meeting someone new, they also can improve your overall mental state. Venture out. Cross the Potomac for goodness sake. It’s like a whole new world over there.
Incorporate dating into your daily life. Women that don’t have time to get to the gym often improvise ways to exercise at home. Valerie Bertinelli proudly admitted she does step-ups on her coffee table. If your life is too jammed packed already, then try to incorporate dating into your everyday life. You don’t have to be at a bar or party to meet a man. Men are everywhere. You can just as easily strike up a conversation while standing in line for your morning coffee as you could waiting to order a cosmopolitan. Smile at someone on the metro. Chat up that cute guy on the elevator. Step out of your comfort zone. All it takes to meet someone new is a good attitude and a friendly smile.
Just remember that as the middle of the month nears, you aren’t the only one wishing for someone special. Contrary to popular belief, most men would rather be cuddled up on the couch on Valentines Day than hanging out alone. Take advantage of the DC events geared toward meeting people and celebrating this holiday. If you buckle down and put in some real effort, you may just find that very important date in the nick of time.
