New Year's Resolution: 2016 Dating Do's & Don'ts

By Geanice Gee, M.A. 

It's a new year, so why not start the year off right by getting your love affairs in order.  In fact, having healthy relationships can lessen the stress in your life. Furthermore, surrounding yourself with positive like-minded individuals can also reduce stress and be a motivation to you as well.  

Therefore, letting go of unhealthy dating habits or relationships would be a great New Year's resolution. But, do you know how this can be achieved? In fact, you can start by changing your outlook on dating and relationships. Listed below are some tips on how you can start the New Year off right when dating and building healthy relationships.  

Don’ts: 

·         Don't hold grudges

·         Don't cheat

·         Don't ever think you don't have to impress someone that you're already in a relationship with

·         Don't belittle your partner; if you feel that the person is worthless, you shouldn't be together, so it's best to terminate the relationship and move on

·         Don't lose yourself in any relationship

·         Don't put your social life on hold because you're in a new relationship; be able to balance this relationship with your  friends and any obligations

·         Don't compare past relationships with the current one, especially if you want it to work

·         Don't ignore problems; instead confront them head on, so that they can be solved

·         Don't put this person on the back burner; make this person a priority

·         Don't try to change the person

·         Don't go snooping around because you'll probably get caught and then you'll have to worry about trust issues

·         Don't live in the past; if something happens in the relationship and all has been forgiven, move on and don't keep bringing it up

Do's: 

·         Always remember special dates such as birthdays and anniversaries

·          Always put in effort to make the relationship work; in fact, a relationship is doomed if one or both parties give up

·         Always be supportive

·         Always be an active listener

·         Always be considerate of your partners feelings

·         Always forgive and forget, especially if you're married to this person or plan on continuing the relationship

·         Always be a team player

·         Always be willing to grow and adapt

·         Always have your own interest and goals

·         Always admit when you're wrong and be willing to admit you're wrong even when you're not