Enjoying singleness and navigating dating
We've somehow adopted the societal ideology that a person isn't complete if they are single.
You aren't a second class person in God's agenda because you are single.
Things to know about being single
• Singleness is not a time to explore, it's a time to be alone. Some of us are always chasing distractions, trying to escape our lives. We need to learn to enjoy our own company.
• Singleness is a time to heal and move on from past hurts.A time to build good platonic relationships and create healthy boundaries with members of the opposite sex.
• Singleness is the best time to serve God, to discover yourself, work on becoming better, start building things that will last.
When moving to a talking stage
Finding out what's there, asking questions, finding out about gender roles, perspectives on life, family finance, etc.
Trying to figure out if some things can be changed or compromises made. Negotiation should be done in a non confrontational way so that even if no common ground is reached, there isn't any bitterness or bad blood.
Learn to be a sweet person, listen to the things they say, being attentive to their complaints. Notice the sacrifices and efforts to change things that you've complained about.
As you transition to dating
•Date someone that God can talk to. This is important, but not complete.
•Date someone that is accountable to someone else, as confirmed by that person. Someone that can speak to them when they're being unreasonable.
• Date someone that listens to you