Are you tired of the whole dating scene? Have you spent many hours (years) going to parties and events with the hope of meeting compatible and available singles? If so, now may be time to think about doing something different. Really different.
After all, we tend to move about socially in the same close-knit circles. The same guys/women at a friend's party or at the functions held by our church or synagogue. Even the happy hour crowd can become all too familiar. Don't despair. There are lots of new and exciting ways to meet people if you are willing to do a little local research and are game for some new adventures.
Before I get into the specifics, I need to emphasize the importance of having a basic plan. Primarily this involves a budget for time and money investment. It also requires that you really think about what would meet YOUR needs, as you get ready to commit to some new leisure activities and interests.
A good way to start is to spend a little time thinking about those things you always wanted to try or to learn about. For instance, have you had a desire to try hiking, biking, swimming or other athletic pursuits? What about something a little more exotic like caving, skydiving or scuba? Perhaps cultural pursuits are more to your liking, but you don't know anyone you can share these with. If so, you may feel uncomfortable or just not interested in going out and doing them alone.
With some ideas in mind, (or maybe no specific list), you are ready to begin to gather information about local available resources.
Major metropolitan areas are rich in singles events. These are hosted by for profit companies as well as singles groups/clubs that are affiliated with religious and other private organizations. You can begin your search by looking through local newspapers and checking out the listings with you county, city or community center. A web search is also a great way to gather information. Just use keywords that include singles, activities, events, and the name of your local metropolitan area. If you live in an outer, less populated area, don't give up. Look into what is available in the nearest large city. Also, note the trips for singles that allow you to meet people from around the country.
Once you have identified regional and local groups and organizations, begin to go through all their listings. Be open to hearing/reading about everything that is available. This process can give you a lot of ideas and will let you know what all your choices are. The list can be almost overwhelming! Many singles are searching for new adventures and this has led to an explosion of activities and events being offered.
The following is a "rough" list of what you may find:
After you have made your picks, check to see that you can work them into your schedule and budget. Remember, as you make your final selection(s), that this is supposed to be FUN for you. Choose something that you believe you would enjoy and that would be basically within your ability to participate in. (i.e.) If you are terrified of heights, avoid skydiving.
Keep in mind that challenging athletic pursuits tend to bring out the (true) best and worst sides of us all. Not only will you give yourself an experience that can help you develop greater confidence and self-esteem, you will also learn more about yourself and how you relate to others. This will be true of the other participants as well. Therefore, you will get a much more candid snapshot of the singles you meet during these activities/events. You will also maximize your opportunity to meet like-minded singles, who share at least one of your interests.
So, pull some of those old dreams or recent fantasies out of mothballs. Let yourself play. Along the way you just may find a new favorite passion, a great friend or new love.
Toni Coleman, MSW is a licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach with over 20 years of experience. As a recognized expert, Toni has been quoted in many local and national publications including: The Chicago Tribune and The Orlando Sentinel newspapers and Family Circle, Woman's Day, and Star magazines. She has been featured on ABC News; Discovery Health Channel and AOL Online. As a weekly contributing commentator on the KTRS Radio Morning Show, (St. Louis, MO), Toni offers dating tips and relationship advice in response to listener feedback. Toni founded Consum-mate.com in 2002 to offer singles the knowledge and tools they need to find and sustain healthy, lasting love relationships. She is a member of The International Coach Federation, and The International Association Of Coaches.
![]() Google News Updated : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:56:09 GMT Asian, European Markets Continue Upbeat Rally - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Blaine Harden TOKYO, Oct. 14 -- Feverish buying in Japan on Tuesday replaced last week's market panic, as the benchmark Nikkei stock index soared to its largest-ever percentage gain in a single day, up 14.15 percent -- part of a global rally in ... Video: Asia Markets Mostly Up Monday World Markets Reflect Growing Hope Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:11:14 GMT Kashkari Leaps From Obscurity to Lead Role in US Bank Rescue - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Robert Schmidt and Rebecca Christie Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Minutes before Neel Kashkari's public debut as the chief of the US Treasury's financial rescue plan, he sat in a hotel lobby in Washington, unrecognized by many of the international bankers ... What Treasury is planning After Historic Rally, Feds To Buy Bank Ownerships Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:57:34 GMT Milk, Sunshine Each Day Keep the Doctor Away - Washington Post
Washington Post - ยท Kids from newborns to teenagers should take twice as much Vitamin D as previously recommended because it may help prevent serious disease, a leading medical group said yesterday. Video: HealthWatch More tenacious about vitamin D Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:17:28 GMT North Korea to resume nuclear dismantlement - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea planned to resume dismantling its nuclear program Tuesday for the first time in two months, days after the United States removed the communist regime from a terrorism blacklist as a reward under a disarmament pact. IAEA: N. Korea disabling set for Tuesday North Korean foreign minister set for nuclear talks in Moscow Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:11:42 GMT House Race Is Shaken by Report of an Affair - New York Times
New York Times - By IAN URBINA WASHINGTON - The Florida congressman who succeeded Mark Foley after he resigned because of a sex scandal is now embroiled in a sex scandal of his own, and has requested a Congressional ethics investigation to clear his name. A Florida (House) Bombshell House to investigate lawmaker for alleged affair, ethics lapse Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:20:36 GMT Berlusconi Shares Investor Pain With $2 Billion Loss (Update2) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Andrew Davis and Lorenzo Totaro Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi promises Italians they won't lose ``even a euro'' of their bank accounts in the current credit crisis. Video: Bush Says He Will Help US Banks Bush To Speak About $250 Billion Banking Rescue Plan Monday Morning Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:46:59 GMT Cambodia: Thailand withdraws troops from border - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Thai troops retreated from a disputed border zone Tuesday, a Cambodian general said, averting a possible military clash after Cambodia's prime minister issued an ultimatum to Thailand to withdraw by midday. Thai army to maintain troops in disputed area Thailand, Cambodia spar over border troop positions Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:51:31 GMT How to Earn Money At Home |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Forget the flowers and the scent. To improve your chances... Read More I hear it over and over-"It was going so great,... Read More "If music be the food of love, play on". So... Read More Harsh words, hurting comments, tears and flying household objects -... Read More Ever had a love at first sight encounter? Totally captured... Read More Quality adult personals are becoming harder to find these days.... Read More What's the Number One Question that Everyone Asks About CyberDating?Everyone... Read More You went out with the guy. You both had a... Read More Okay, you've scored a date with a sexy somebody for... Read More Why is it people, especially the media, thinks that looking... Read More How often do your married friends complain about husbands who... Read More Define dating again as The Joy Of Dating Again. It... Read More Online Dating 101 by Kevin KogerFeeling like there's something that's... Read More 1. Tattoos.Tattoos used to be the colouring of soldiers, sailors,... Read More Valentine's Day was initially an outgrowth of an ancient Roman... Read More Online dating is becoming more and more mainstream, as people... Read More When it comes to flirting, you can get your point... Read More Online dating is as safe, and in some ways safer... Read More To have a successful conversation with any woman you must... Read More If you're about to leap into dating personals and don't... Read More Today there are many single women over the age of... Read More 1) Don't look at other womenWhile dating, focus your attention... Read More It's unbelievable how many guys have this problem!I mean, you... Read More Times are changing and online dating is becoming a more... Read More Got a case of the blind date? Oh yes we... Read More
Adsense
websites
Three Keys to Wonderful Dating Experience
Little Known Dating Tips, Secrets, and Dating Mistakes
Online Dating - Is Music the Food of Love?
Compatibility
Dating Tips: The First Impression Matters
Quality Adult Personals
Does Internet Dating Work?
Dating Dilemma: The Man Who Said Hed Call and Didnt
How to Be a Great First Date
Love Discrimination
Dating Advice: Common Interest Results in Happy Marriages
?Dating Again? Redefined
Online Dating 101 - Online Dating Basics
8 Things That Maketh Not The Lady
What Do You Do on Valentines Day When You Have 1000 Girlfriends!
Online Dating - Six Ways to Protect Your Privacy in Cyberspace
How to Flirt and Never Get Rejected!
Online Dating Safety Tips
How To Have A Successful Conversation With Any Woman!
Dating Personals! Find Out How To Write A Knockout Personal Ad
Black Professional, Educated, And Self-Reliant Woman - Why Am I Still Single?
7 Habits of Highly Successful Dating
Guys, Do Your Pickup Lines Always Get Met with Turn Downs?
Online Dating -- Facts About Your Online Profile
Got a Blind Date Right Around the Corner?
I have a friend with a big problem, a guy... Read More
Chances are that you have had a wide variety of... Read More
Today there are many single women over the age of... Read More
As part of my research for a guide to style,... Read More
However you like to do it, dating is a dangerous... Read More
A few months ago I became single again after a... Read More
Looking To Meet Women? Craving Female Company?Well, you've come to... Read More
Q. My boyfriend failed a dating quiz. Should I dump... Read More
Just about every dating site-even those with minimal profiles-have space... Read More
We've all had that special woman in our lives. You... Read More
Do you strike out with single women in the romance... Read More
Back in the days when I was a teenager, I... Read More
Why attractive women meet men online.It's a common question that... Read More
Have you heard about the technique Olympic athletes use to... Read More
Something I find 100% humor in is the fact that... Read More
There are many online dating sites, all of them require... Read More
If you're worried and upset about your physical flaws, which... Read More
If you're tired of the boring and repetitive local dating... Read More
What? You say. No Saturday dates after Wednesday? What is... Read More
Love poems are a wonderfully romantic gesture and can often... Read More
So, you have decided to do it. Get out there... Read More
Probably you do have attitude, but what is it? Jaded,... Read More
"I'll call you this week". "Yes, I'd love to see... Read More
Dating and saving money. For many, the two concepts don't... Read More
One of my first "Big Dates" was a Cotillion dance... Read More
Dating |