Dating can be both exciting and complicated. While it can be an exhilarating journey filled with new experiences, it can also be a minefield of potential blunders. As one gets to know someone on a deeper level, something might come up that can create an obstacle to developing a fulfilling and healthy relationship. Yet, it is possible to avoid such obstacles by steering clear of common dating mistakes many people make.

Taking things too fast
During the early stages of dating, it is normal to get caught up in the dopamine rush of the new relationship. For many, this means dealing with the temptation of crashing through all the major milestones of the relationship as soon as possible. So they end up committing the mistake of moving things too fast. For instance, one may confess their love after a couple of dates or want to meet friends and family only after two or three dates. This may seem like a good idea initially, but it may turn out to be a blunder in case the relationship does not work out after a few months. So, it is important to take things at a slower pace, at least for the first three months.

Overlooking the red flags
This is a common dating mistake that practically everyone commits at some point. For instance, one might be dating someone for a couple of weeks. Everything seems perfect until the other person starts showing not-so-pleasant behavioral traits. They might be rude to servers at restaurants or start talking ill of their ex-partner for no apparent reason. All of these are red flags that must not be ignored. One may not notice these wrong behavioral patterns in the early days of the relationship and end up ignoring them. But it is always best to trust one’s instincts and step back from the relationship.

Posting too much online
Posting about the crucial moments of one’s relationship online can be tempting. But in the early days, when both partners are getting to know each other, sharing everything about the relationship online can be a blunder. It is better to hold off posting romantic and emotional messages about one’s partner on social media in the early stages of the relationship. This is because it is quite likely that a partner may not feel things with the same intensity and passion. For them, the frequent online posting may seem overwhelming or excessive.

Forgetting to establish clear boundaries
It may seem like one is being too rigid, but setting boundaries is important in the first three months of the relationship. This is because a healthy and fulfilled relationship can be possible if both partners allow it to be on mutual terms. For this, it is important to respect each other’s boundaries right from the beginning. Besides, it is better to know earlier in the relationship than later as to what one’s partner thinks is acceptable and what is not.

Dating when one is not ready
This is a mistake that can have serious emotional repercussions. One should not step into the dating zone unless they are truly ready. If one is not capable of being emotionally available, unsure of what they are looking for, or unable to manage their emotional issues, it is not the right time to date someone.