How to Prepare for a Date: The Complete Guide to Make It Great

You’ve landed a hot date! But the hard part is getting ready for your first date. These 12 tips for how to prepare for a date will make it great.

The dating world isn’t easy. First, you spend most of your time finding someone who won’t make you pass out from boredom *not as easy you’d think it is*. You swipe through endless faces on Tinder, waiting for that one face you feel deserves your time and attention. And that’s hard enough. Then, you chat, see how it goes, and if you manage to play your cards right, you land a date. It’s a big step forward. But now, here comes the big first date. And you’re left wondering how to prepare for a date.

How to prepare for a date

Usually, when you prepare to go out, you’re not putting that much thought into it. But, when it’s a date, things are different. In learning how to prepare for a date, you’re going to meet someone that could potentially be your partner. Someone who you’re going to date.

You want to impress them. No, you want to blow their mind. So, how do you do this? It’s not as easy as you think, especially with the anxiety you’re probably feeling on top of it. So, I’m going to help you out and show you what needs to be done to prepare for a date and have you feeling relaxed and ready to go.

You can never be too prepared… right?

#1 Chill out. Listen, you don’t know where this date is going to take you, so why even freak out? You have a 50/50 chance that you’ll end up seeing them again, and if you don’t, it’s not a big deal.

So, look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I’m going to have a great time, and whatever happens, happens.” You don’t need to psych yourself out.

#2 Don’t dress to impress them. I know most people will tell you to dress to impress your date, but you scratch that. You need to dress to impress yourself. Are you feeling sexy and confident in what you’re wearing? If so, then you’re ready to go. Don’t dress in clothes that you think they’ll like. Dress for yourself always.

#3 Pick the right location. It’s really all about location, location, location. Where you’re going to have your date will set the tone. Opt for low-key, neutral activities where you can focus on getting to know each other. Go for a walk or grab a coffee – avoid dinner, just in case you two don’t click. That would be one awkward meal you’ll have to sit through.

#4 Get ready to talk. When you go on a date, you want to have an engaging conversation. Social anxiety can hit any of us when going on a first date, so to help ease your anxiety, come up with interesting topics to discuss, just in case. You can leave the cheesy pick-up lines at home; they’re not going to help you.

#5 But get ready to listen. Talking on a first date is essential, but so is listening. If you’re not actively listening to your partner, you won’t be able to gauge if they’re a good match for you. Actually, if you’re not listening, it’s a good sign this person isn’t for you. And if you’re not a good listener in general, it’s time you practiced.

#6 Are you mentally ready for the date? Before heading on your date, get yourself in the right headspace. Of course, you can’t control the connection you will have, but you can control your emotions going into the date.

If you enter the date feeling like you’re not worthy of being around this person, that’s the vibe you’re going to give off. Give yourself a little self-compassion before the date.

#7 Practice self-compassion. I mentioned practicing self-compassion before a date, but what does that mean? Reflect on your feelings and understand that everyone is experiencing the same thoughts and emotions when dating. If the date doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean it’s your fault. You can’t connect with everyone you meet.

#8 Take each date as a lesson. Go back into your memory and think about the other dates you’ve been on. What worked, and what didn’t work? Use your past dates as a learning tool for your future ones. Is there something you could have done to improve past dates? Take some time to think about this.

#9 Don’t aim for intimacy. You don’t need to have sex on the first date. Actually, I recommend not to have sex on the first date. You want to get to know this person, and your goal shouldn’t be to have sex with them – at least not now. If you’re aiming for sex, it’s going to destroy the date and put pressure on your partner.

#10 You are what makes you desirable. Before the date, understand that what makes you attractive is you. It’s not if you have an expensive car, or if you have a high paying job. Those aren’t things that will attract genuine people. Your personality, charm, and charisma are what makes you desirable.

#11 A good date doesn’t mean you’re 100% compatible. The best dates I’ve been on were the ones where I wasn’t fully compatible with the person. It made for great conversation and opened me up to different lifestyles. So, when going on a date, don’t be so quick to cut them because they don’t enjoy the same sports or fashion as you.

#12 Be yourself. If you feel uncomfortable or that you must change parts of yourself for your date, then maybe you shouldn’t be going on the date. If you want to prepare for your date, check-in with yourself and make sure you’re being genuine to you.

Dates are a lot of fun, and when know how to prepare for a date, they’re even better. Try out these tips the next time you have a hot date.