Being single can be a pretty awesome experience. You get to go about your life free from insecurity, responsibilities, and other challenges of relationships. However, it gets to a time when this freedom feels a little overrated, and you start to miss those sweet texts, cuddle sessions, and romantic dates.
If you feel this way, do not be too hard on yourself. No one is taking away your strong-independent-woman-who-doesn’t-need-a-man card. Wanting some company is okay. Your only worry at this point should be where to meet single men.
If you have been out of the game for too long to remember where to start, here are a few tips to help get a boyfriend.
Before You Get Back in the Saddle
I understand it’s been a while, and you can’t wait to meet Mister Right. But it doesn’t mean you must jump head-first into a random relationship.
Follow the shortlist below to ensure you don’t get heartbroken on your first attempt.
Think of the real reasons why you want a boyfriend
Now that you have an eye out for a new boyfriend, it’s time to consider why you want this guy.
Are you feeling lonely? Do you need a plus-one for a wedding? Do you want to make your Ex jealous?
Or… Do you want to grow together and form a family with this guy? Are you ready to start a new chapter in your life?
You’d be amazed at the number of women who start dating for all the wrong reasons. That is the perfect recipe for disaster, and if your intention were anything but mature, profound love, you better reconsider your decision.
Figure out your type
Dating doesn’t always imply a serious relationship. When it comes to finding a match, more and more people prefer online dating apps and casual hookups.
But it’s tough to find the perfect guy, especially now that we live in a hyper-developed digital era where a first date usually ends in the bedroom.
But are you looking for a date or a committed relationship? Do you want a well-rounded guy who shares the same values or just a passing fling?
When it comes to your “type,” if you want someone honest and dedicated, it’s time to look past the looks and think about what traits your want to see in your “perfect boyfriend.”
Boost your confidence
What sets apart a confident woman from the rest of the girls? A lot, actually – the way she walks, the way she talks, the way she behaves, the way she reacts…
The boyfriends she chooses…
That’s right! A woman who knows her worth and values would never settle for the wrong kind.
The good news is confidence can be learned. Here are a few simple steps how to boost your self-esteem when expanding your social circle:
- Practice – if you got the jitters about talking to a cute guy, think of a few topics before you leave the house.
- Rehearse in front of the mirror: watch your body language and try to relax.
- Pick an outfit the night before. It will give you time to concentrate on your hair, makeup, or even conversation topics.
- Accentuate your best features – find a modest but stylish way to make your best features pop. Instant confidence boost.
Accept your single status
Unlike popular belief, dating apps are not the best way to get a boyfriend. But I’ll tell you what is – getting a life!
The right guy won’t just show up at your door; you’ll have to put in some effort. However, the most significant part of that effort should go to you.
Put yourself on the pedestal for a change. Take yourself out on a date. Show up at your favorite coffee shop alone. The boyfriend-fast might bring you more good than you think.
Fall in love with yourself
Not trying to sound like every cliche dating advice out there, but accepting yourself for who you are is the best part of being single.
If you’re asking me how to get a boyfriend, I’d say fall in love with yourself before you fall for the first guy you run into.
When you project self-love and self-acceptance, you are teaching people how you want to be treated and loved, and the right person shouldn’t fail to see that.
When You Start Dating
High-value men are rare gems. Their shine is easy to spot, but only if you know where to look and how. Otherwise, there is a good way a simple rock will pass as a diamond, and you don’t want that from your future guy.
Here’s how to ensure your next relationship doesn’t flop and waste your time.
Tap into your extrovert
Just like with confidence, being outgoing takes practice.
First, it all starts in your head. Next, you need to get used to the idea that if you want to get a boyfriend, you will need to do some talking. I mean, (most) guys are not mindreaders, and sending mixed signals can push a potential boyfriend away.
That is where communication skills (and a little female intuition) come into play. For example, if he loves tennis, ask him why or what is his favorite player.
Try not to sound like the expert that you are not. Showing interest and making the first move is enough to get him engaged.
Start socializing
You are right. Texting can be considered ‘talking,’ but here comes the hard part: (drumroll) leaving the comfort of your home.
Yes, your social life probably needs a boost, so instead of keeping a collection of great guys on your dating profile, women, please, start going out.
Invite a friend or two to the movies, accept an invitation to a party, go for after-work drinks with your colleagues, visit a sporting event or organize a night out with your girls.
You don’t need a special occasion to have fun and socialize.
Simply put, enjoy life and be your best self! You never know where you’ll bump into the right guy. You might as well find a boyfriend on one of those outings.
Don’t rush
I know you’ve been patiently waiting and contemplating how to get a boyfriend, but if there is one relationship advice I’d want you to take from all this, it’s to be patient.
So many girls end up disappointed and with a broken heart just because they rush things with a guy they have a great connection with, but that’s all there is.
A great and healthy relationship requires partners to meet at a deeper level.
Stay open to opportunities
Like I already said, you cannot know who’s the right guy for you, but you can increase your chances of meeting him by staying open to opportunities.
He can be your cousin’s best friend, a colleague from another department (mind employee fraternization policy), a guy you met at the gym, someone who joined you at rock climbing…
You can’t expect everyone to be a good boyfriend, but keeping your head down and avoiding eye contact will make you miss a solid partner.
So, if you’ve been trying to figure out how to get a boyfriend, my dating advice would be:
- Try always to look presentable and wear clothes that fit your build
- Stay open and accept invitations
- Smile and be positive
Trust the process
Finding a new partner should be a fun, exciting process. And that’s the key. The sooner you realize it’s a process, the easier it would be to keep that feeling of emergency at bay.
You might find a boyfriend fast, even on your first date, or you can get a few failed attempts before someone ready for a real relationship comes along the way.
As long as you feel good about being out there and meeting new people, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Stay confident and believe the one is waiting for you out there. A great guy will show up when you least expect it.
Give guys a chance
This one goes to all the ladies with a “type.” I see women chasing after a look, a profession, a vibe, or a status, and they usually end up disappointed or with the wrong guys.
Why? Because they wouldn’t give other great guys a chance just because they don’t fit the mold.
I’d say stay open-minded and, most importantly, stay open-hearted. That’s how you get a boyfriend the fastest way.
Escape your comfort zone
And last but least, get out of your comfort zone. That is where all dreams go to die, including the one of finding a boyfriend.
I know that putting yourself out there makes you feel vulnerable and exposed, but that’s the only way to be seen and noticed. A potential boyfriend might be waiting for you. All you need to do is show up!
Best ways to meet single guys online
So, where are all the real good guys?
Online dating sites
These days, you can meet single men online for free with the many online dating sites available. All you have to do is set up an account and start looking. The good thing about this is that it allows you to take control and stop relying on fate to deliver your enchanted frog to you.
Best sites for finding a single man looking for love
eharmony.com
eharmony.com is one of the oldest platforms on the online dating scene, having been launched in 1993. Since then, it has undergone several changes to streamline the process of finding love online.
Now you can enjoy unique services, from video chats and e-letters to smart filters that help narrow your search. It also improved security features and has several policies in place to protect your heart and your offline life.
This dating app is as diverse as they come. It caters to all niches, from age gap dating to international romance. It will come in handy if you do not want to limit your options with niche sites.
Finally, if you have difficulty striking up a conversation, Dating.com is a great option to consider. With features like “Let’s Mingle” and “Boost,” you will not have to work too hard to find the perfect way to break the ice.
ChristianCupid.com
While general sites are awesome, sometimes you need a niche platform to find the perfect match. This is exactly what ChristianCupid.com is all about. As the name suggests, the platform offers you access to single Christians from all over the world.
And while there is the general premise of these shared beliefs, the site doesn’t focus too much on the religious aspect of the process. Instead, it just brings the singles together and lets things happen as they were meant to be.
On this platform, you are guaranteed safety through the site’s anti-scam system and verification procedure meant to keep jokers out. Unfortunately, the fact that you have to pay for some of the perks also means that only people who are serious and genuinely interested in investing in love will get involved.
Alternatively, you could try dating websites for single parents to find single men online.
Social media DMs (direct messages)
We live in a day and age where DM relationships are no longer a weird novelty. You are probably wondering how to meet single men on Facebook, Instagram, or even Twitter without seeming weird.
It’s really simple; send the person a text as you would on an online dating site and wait to see if they reply. If that works, carry the conversation as long as it is necessary to form something real. The good thing is that you have enough social information to verify the person’s legitimacy.
Read this article for great conversation starters when dating.
Common interest forums and chat rooms
If you are wondering how to meet guys with common interests, then forums are a great way to start. The good thing about this method is that you already have an established shared interest to bond you.
Best places to meet single men near me
Bars and clubs
Yep, you can meet some pretty good men at bars and clubs. The important thing is that you know what you are signing up for. Don’t complain about your beau spending too much time at the club when that is where you got him.
Concerts or festivals
If you are an extrovert and love meeting new people, then concerts and festivals are great places to meet single guys. They are fun without the pressure associated with clubs and bars. So keep one eye open for Prince Charming as you dance and sing along to your favorite band’s set.
The gym and sports clubs
This one is for all the fitness enthusiasts out there. The gym is the most popular source of single men near me, and for a good reason. You get them in all their muscly glory and at their most macho states. So if you are into that type of guy, this is where you will find him.
Airplanes or other public transport means
These are, without a doubt, the most underrated meeting spots of all time. Yes, you might meet the right man on your morning commute bus or on that trip abroad. The only challenge here is that most people are too busy focusing on their destination to notice what is in front of them.
Do not fall into this trap. If you like someone you see, make your move. If it is a regular fellow commuter, you do not even have to make any significant moves. Just say hi and get their attention. If they like you too, it should be a cakewalk from there.
Skill classes
The best way to meet single men is through self-improvement. Literally. Take a cooking class, a sculpting tutorial, or even martial arts training. That will expose you to many interesting new guys on the journey to self-improvement.
Religious setups
If religion and spirituality matter to you, then consider looking for your perfect man in these setups. It could be a church, mosque, synagogue, shrine, bible study, or whatever else.
Weddings
Weddings are another underrated option regarding the best places to meet single men lists. Granted, there are not many single men who intentionally attend weddings. However, you could score the bride’s cousin or groom’s old frat brother who happens to have attended.
Standing in Line
Meeting new people by standing in line doesn’t only happen in movies – everyone can form connections by just saying hi to the person in front of them in the grocery line!
You could strike up a conversation about anything from how boring waiting in line is to some interesting items they have on their cart.
Other ways to get a boyfriend
An obvious choice would be to go to your friends for relationship advice or help. You can ask them to introduce you to guys they know through a different social circle.
They might provide a good match because your friends know your values and what you look for in a guy, and they know the guy too.
Fishing in your colleague’s pool is another great way to find a boyfriend. Many women avoid dating at work, and rightly so. Imagine having a disastrous date or, even worse, ending up together in bed.
If that were only another failed attempt, you would have to stare at that face for a long while. Awkward!
However, these are going to be men you have much in common with. You share the same interests and passions, so a light flirt and a few compliments here and there can come a long way.
Finally, if nothing works out, try blind dating. Ask someone you trust and who knows you well to organize a blind date for you with someone they believe has potential as a future boyfriend.
Get out there and find your prince charming!
These are just a handful of the many ways to find single men looking for marriage. Most of them are easy and convenient. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home with online options.
The most important thing is to open your heart up to the possibility of finding someone and starting something special. Then, with that positive outlook, there is no limit to where you can find the man of your dreams.
