How many hours do you spend in front of the mirror trying to pick the perfect outfit for date night?

A minimum of two, I would bet. A first date can be as exciting as nerve-wracking, and we always want it to be perfect. Still, life is unpredictable, and things can go off the rails pretty easily. That is not a bad thing- learning to be spontaneous and taking things as they come can lower your nervousness and help you enjoy different experiences. Perfect is overrated. 

What makes a date perfect is not the place, the outfit, or the activity: it is the person beside you and the memories you create together. What you are going to remember in ten years is what you talked about, how they made you feel, and how much fun you had. You could be sitting on a park bench wearing sweatpants and eating shawarma from a street cart, and you could still have the time of your life. 

This doesn’t mean we never plan anything special; of course we do. We all want to make an effort to impress the other person, that’s a given, especially if you’ve just started dating and don’t know them very well yet. The point is to help you take off a bit of that pressure. The most important thing is to be kind, considerate, and attentive to the other person’s preferences and personality when planning the date. If both parties consider the other one and make an effort to compromise and make it good for both, it doesn’t really matter where you go or what you do. Apply it to early dating and couples’ life in general. 

Truth is, any activity can be fun and special if you go with the right person and the right mindset. Doesn’t matter if you’ve just started dating or you’ve been with your partner for years. Dates are necessary to connect and feel close to one another, and we should always make a little time for them, even if it’s a really simple activity. For instance, take a look at these memes with your partner! I bet you’ll both relate and you’ll have a good laugh together.