If you are newly divorced or recently single, the thought of entering the dating pool again can be frightful. Dating is a conundrum for many people; on the one hand it’s necessary in order to find a mate, and on the other, going out with stranger after stranger looking for someone who is compatible with you can be daunting. But dating doesn’t have to be dreadful; taking it slowly and having realistic expectations can help you to have a positive experience.

Instructions
1
Adjust your attitude, if need be. Going into the dating world with a positive attitude can help you laugh during the bad dates and appreciate the nights out when you’re with someone whose company you enjoy. Having a realistic understanding from the beginning that it will probably take time to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right can take a lot of pressure off of you to find something redeemable about everyone you meet.

2
Start slow. Most things begun with an over-anxious attitude tend to fizzle out fast. Ease back into the dating scene by scheduling one or two dates a month. The rest of the time, go out with friends and enjoy being single.

3
Be open. The hardest part about dating is actually meeting people to go out with. By being friendly and open you may find that you meet people at all sorts of places, such as your favorite coffee shop, on your commute to work, in the park on the weekend or at your favorite yoga class.

4
Enlist your friends for help. Have your friends and co-workers set you up with their single friends. This gives you and your date a point of reference, and a conversation topic, so that you may both feel more at ease.

5
Go online. There are numerous online dating websites to choose from; some that will match based on questionnaires and others that allow you to peruse people’s profiles and send a message to those that seem interesting. Make sure your profile is positive and be friendly to all who come your way, even if you’re not interested.