WORDS: Alex Mellor-Brook, Dating and Relationship Coach, Co-founder at Select Personal Introductions

Valentine’s Day promises romance - but as many of us know, also has the potential to create heartache and damage self-esteem. New celebrations like Galentine’s Day have given us a more balanced approach to our mental health and dating goals, so this is a great time to review what you expect from dating, of others and of yourself.

Emotional Intelligence - and how to embrace it

Back in the day, appearance and income were all that mattered. Today we know that for a relationship to work, we must be empathetic, communicative and self-aware. Valentine’s Day 2024 is a great time to reflect on how you recognise and manage your emotions to be sure that you’re relating to potential partners in a wholesome, healthy fashion.

Digital Detoxing - the new romantic touchstone

There’s no doubt that our world has become digital, but where love and romance are concerned, caution is wise. As smart singles look for meaningful offline experiences to test and deepen their dating relationships, digital detoxing is a trend that will only grow.

Mindful Dating - a genuine approach

On a similar note, being present and intentional in your romantic pursuits is bound to bring dividends - by slowing down and truly listening to your date and taking time to be true to yourself, you’ll form better connections and deepen your romantic intuition.

Self-love - the foundation of happiness

The basis of any healthy relationship is self-love because a strong sense of self-worth allows us to attract like-minded partners, gives us a focus outside our relationship and ensures we’re not expecting somebody else to ‘fix’ us. If you want more fulfilment and fun, prioritise self-love this Valentine’s Day.

Sustainable Relationships - no more disposable dates

Modern dating has led to some unattractive behaviours, such as viewing ‘dates’ as something like fast-food, a thing we reach for when we’re tired or feeling lazy, rather than a real commitment to finding a relationship. However, the tide is turning towards a desire for relationship sustainability, mirroring our growing environmental awareness. Valentine’s Day is a good time to think about how we build relationships that last.

Diversity - inclusivity and love

The way we view relationships has changed, and that can only be good. Old ideas about ‘perfect matches’ have given way to new ideas that celebrate all kinds of partnerships - this Valentine’s Day could be the perfect occasion to broaden our own thinking about what a relationship looks like and how it works.

Blending Relationships - independence and togetherness

We’ve all learned about blended families, where children and parents find ways to form new relationships after the original family group breaks up. It requires sensitivity, high self-esteem, empathy and imagination. Our dating journey could be similarly reshaped, to allow us to focus on the right blend of independence and togetherness, enabling everybody to flourish, inside and outside their relationship.

So, as we head towards this Valentine’s Day, let’s all aim for an upgrade in our romantic understanding, a reboot of our commitment to ourselves, and a new approach to the exciting, ever-changing world of dating.

www.selectservices.co.uk

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