How Not to Date
#20-50
Self-Sabotage
How Not to Date #21: Find one flaw and use it as an excuse to end something good.
How Not to Date #22: Push away anyone who gets close, then wonder why you’re always alone.
How Not to Date #23: Decide they’re “too nice” and go back to chasing unavailable people.
How Not to Date #24: Convince yourself you don’t need anyone, then cry about being lonely.
How Not to Date #25: Pick fights to test if they’ll stay, then act hurt when they don’t.
Unrealistic Expectations
How Not to Date #26: Reject everyone who doesn’t give you instant butterflies.
How Not to Date #27: Compare every real person to the fantasy spouse you’ve built in your head.
How Not to Date #28: Expect them to read your mind instead of actually communicating.
How Not to Date #29: Wait for the “perfect moment” to ask someone out until it never comes.
How Not to Date #30: Demand they meet your 47-point checklist before agreeing to coffee.
Playing Games
How Not to Date #31: Act less interested than you are so you don’t seem “desperate.”
How Not to Date #32: Make them jealous on purpose to see if they really care.
How Not to Date #33: Say “I’m fine” when you’re not, then get mad when they believe you.
How Not to Date #34: Keep score of who texted last and refuse to double-text on principle.
How Not to Date #35: Pretend to be someone you’re not, then wonder why they don’t like the real you.
Boundaries & Respect
How Not to Date #36: Ignore every red flag because they’re attractive.
How Not to Date #37: Pressure someone physically and call it “chemistry.”
How Not to Date #38: Keep pursuing after they’ve clearly said no.
How Not to Date #39: Trash-talk your date to your friends before you’ve even given them a chance.
How Not to Date #40: Expect them to fix your loneliness instead of dealing with it yourself.
Avoidance Tactics
How Not to Date #41: Say you’re “too busy to date” while binge-watching Netflix every night.
How Not to Date #42: Blame the apps, the culture, and the opposite sex instead of examining yourself.
How Not to Date #43: Pray for a spouse but never leave your apartment.
How Not to Date #44: Tell yourself “it’ll happen when it happens” while doing absolutely nothing.
How Not to Date #45: Use “I’m working on myself” as a permanent excuse to avoid vulnerability.
Relationship Killers
How Not to Date #46: Stop putting in effort the moment they commit to you.
How Not to Date #47: Assume the worst about everything they say and do.
How Not to Date #48: Bring up every past mistake during every new argument.
How Not to Date #49: Expect them to complete you instead of complement you.
How Not to Date #50: Treat dating like a competition to win instead of a person to know.
Now you know what NOT to do. Go do the opposite.
— Katie Palitto
Catholic Relationship Coach | Finding Adam Finding Eve Ministry and co-creator of the Game of Love app