What I Learned From My Recent Extraordinary Date

You have gone on an unusual date at some point in your life. Whether it was fantastic or disastrous, it still taught you something. The article highlights valuable lessons from previous dating experiences and how you can use them to find your perfect match.

There are different ways to get dating. While the goal is finding love, not every unusual date ends in a happily ever after. But the encounters reveal new, unusual date ideas for the future, your likes and dislikes, and how to treat others. Here’s what you can learn from past extraordinary dates.

Rejection Isn’t Personal

Your crush might still decline a second meeting despite struggling to find unusual and fun date ideas. So, how do you ignore rejection?

First off, acknowledge people seek different things. If your unusual date doesn’t advance to a relationship, it’s rarely about you. Note that one unusual date isn’t enough to know your personality.

As such, the other person is judging an incomplete picture. Even if they consider you undesirable, that’s their opinion.

You could also agree with them and fix yourself. After all, no behavior is cast in stone. Not forgetting your compatibility. Assuming dating is a chemistry experiment, the absence of sparks between two chemicals doesn’t make them bad.

You’re bound to detach later in the relationship if it doesn’t happen at the first meeting. Unrequited love hurts more than rejection.

Have Boundaries

Aside from connecting with potential partners, an unusual date allows you to define boundaries. For starters, you know your crush’s position on physical intimacy and declare yours.

Take the case of kissing; if you don’t like it on the first date, mentioning it beforehand prevents awkwardness and disagreements.

You can discuss personal space requirements while at it. This includes phone passwords and the amount of time everyone needs alone.

What’s more, you plan future meetings instead of having random unusual date ideas. Sharing your interests lets you choose unusual great date ideas favoring you both.

For instance, foodies can pick unusual date night ideas like cooking together or ordering takeout from a new restaurant. An unusual date is also an opportunity to understand each other’s mode of expression. Do you prefer texting every time or a phone call at the end of the day?

Communication Matters

Aside from knowing each other, the first meeting’s communication sets the tempo for the entire relationship. Instead of boring work details, you can build chemistry with these unusual questions to ask on a date.

• What activity don’t you ever get tired of?
• What could I never guess about you?
• Do you have any unusual date ideas or holiday destinations?
• What’s expensive but worth it?
• You’re banished to an island; what three items would you bring?
• What film have you watched over and over?
• What’s your most remarkable achievement?
• What’s the most unusual date you went to?
• Who’s special to you?
• What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done to escape boredom?

Not saying communication is limited to words; it also involves body language. For example, your crush likes you if they lean in or maintain eye contact. Conversely, unusual date habits such as checking the phone or facing away show disinterest.

Compromise

Everyone wants to go on an unusual date with someone who completes them. But what happens when the perfect match is elusive? That’s right, compromise! Although it might not happen on the first date, lovers will loosen their principles for each other’s happiness.

Small compromises like switching off the television to let your partner study are acceptable.

However, don’t abandon your dreams in the process. Your partner should support your goals, for instance, writing a book, losing weight, and starting a business. The same applies to major life decisions like having a family.

Even the most unusual date won’t change your lover’s stance on kids. Remember, compromise goes both ways. You don’t want to sacrifice your goals for someone who wouldn’t do the same for you. Moreover, shun the relationship if it makes you doubt your self-worth.

Align Your Values

Staying in a relationship with mismatched values undermines your happiness and sense of self. While your conscience communicates the disparity, emotions might cloud your judgment. When in doubt, invite your partner on an unusual date.

Stare into their eyes and note the qualities that define them. Are they secretive or chatty? They could be adventurous or reserved, rowdy, or peace-loving.

Proceed to do one of the most unusual things to do on a date; write both your traits and read them.

Apart from family bonds and service to others, these values include passions and physical wellness. Be open to differences.

For example, your partner might love hiking, but you can’t climb the stairs without running out of breath. Merging your lifestyles isn’t about loving the same things but respecting each other’s principles.

Be Yourself

You may fake your personality at an unusual meeting to escape judgment and be accepted. Although your partner may believe the image you portray on your unusual date, maintaining the lies is exhausting. You can be authentic on an unusual date by dressing comfortably.

Apart from impacting your confidence, clothes express your style. Likewise, don’t keep divergent views to yourself. You can politely contest their views on music, movies, and even religion.

This goes hand in hand with picking a suitable venue for your meeting. If face-to-face conversations make you nervous, incorporate activities like dancing into your unusual first date ideas. 

That way, there’s no pressure to say the right things on an unusual date. Honesty is also important. Instead of lying, tell your partner you’re not comfortable answering particular questions. The same applies to what you eat.

You don’t want to end up in the hospital because you wanted to impress your crush with your food choice on an unusual date.

Manage Your Expectations

Expectations are inevitable on an unusual date. Some expectations, like arriving on time and being respectful, cement your self-worth. However, unrealistic demands leave you disappointed. The solution is to handle every situation when it occurs.

Assuming the unusual date is a work meeting, you can either land the deal or miss the opportunity. For online friendships, don’t invest emotionally before meeting your crush. Fantasizing about the unusual date via text kills your interest when you come face to face.

Furthermore, online and offline interactions differ. You might connect with someone over the phone but dislike what you see on the unusual date.

Similarly, avoid comparisons. Looking for your ex on every unusual date only causes bitterness. Most importantly, don’t expect communication after an unusual date. Otherwise, you’ll blame yourself for unanswered calls and delayed message replies long after the unusual date.

Have Fun on Your Unusual Date

You can enjoy your unusual date by suggesting activities you’ve always desired. Do you want to go zip lining?

Take the unusual date as an opportunity to check something off your bucket list. Likewise, avoid situations where you’re facing your crush, so the meeting doesn’t seem like an interrogation.

Rather than going out for dinner, you can have an unusual date movie evening. However, it seems like one of the unusual things to do on a first date, is meet your friend beforehand if you’re nervous.

You can run your unusual date ideas by your pal to avoid embarrassment and share a drink to relax. You could also clear your head by hitting the gym or meditating.

Don’t Force Connections

Volunteering, yoga classes, concerts, the best hookup sites, you name it, there are many ways to meet people and go on an unusual date. But even cool unusual date ideas don’t guarantee a relationship.

Remember, no amount of weirdness, vulnerability, or barriers can scare away the right person. Do you have unusual date stories? Please share them with us in the comment section below.

Author’s bio:

Robert Andrew Faulkner is a family and child psychologist. He has been working with many couples from all over the UK and wants to share his experience with you. Robert’s hobbies are reading new psychology books and traveling around the world. He has visited more than 15 countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, etc. One of Robert’s biggest dreams is to climb Mount Everest and take a photo.