The Single Gal — Keeping Expectations Low

Dating: How to Survive Guide
(and win tickets below)

Step #1: Keep Your Expectations Low…Very Low.

1st Date: Three years ago (yes, this was the last time I had a date), I met someone through Chemistry.com. A lunch date turned into seven fun-filled hours. We played a few games of pool and spent the rest of the evening sitting on a bench in Seneca Park talking. Before we parted, he asked me if I wanted to go out again, and I enthusiastically agreed.

2nd Date: On the second date, we had dinner and a long night of kissing. I almost believed that this man might be into me. After all, he sent me a sweet email with a subject line that read: "Hey pretty lady." Everything was great, but in the back of my mind I asked myself: "When is this going to end?"

3rd Date: By the third date, I knew something wasn’t right because he took me to a movie, then dropped me off at my place without hesitation. I heard nothing from him again.

I know that I must keep my expectations very low to avoid getting hurt, but I haven't mastered the skill of being emotionally impervious in affairs of the heart. Here's what happens: we go on at least two great dates. I become excited about the prospect of it turning into a relationship — then it crashes and burns. I’m disappointed for about a week, and then I snap back into normal life. It's a vicious cycle. I think I can train my brain to do virtually anything else, but I can't program myself to not have even a smidge of expectation for something more when dating someone I like.
— Veronica Douglass

Are you a single woman trying to survive? Today's Woman is giving away two tickets to SingleMingleLou.com's first event at The Melting Pot on February 9. To enter to win these tickets (worth $100), all you have to do is leave a comment and include an email address so we contact you if you win.

If you don't have a Google or other account and are unsure of how to leave a comment, try selecting "Name/URL", including your name, and leaving the URL blank if you don't have your own website.

Update: Search4Career has won two tickets to the Single Mingle event scheduled for this Saturday at The Melting Pot.