5 Ways Hopeless Romantics Can Stay Afloat In Today's Brutal Dating Culture

I'm not gonna lie: "The Bachelor" is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.

I love the drama and the cattiness, and it's also kinda nice to indulge in the gorgeous dates and amazing countries the bachelor in question goes on with his potential future wife.

You have your favorites you root for, and you cry with them when they get sent home. And let's be real: The dates they go on are SO damn romantic.

I definitely see why the show has such a strong viewership, and I especially see the potential for the show to really resonate with the hopeless romantics out there.

You know the girls: They're the ones who always look at romance like it's a fairytale, and they're totally in love with the idea of being in love. They want it all: the champagne, the fancy dinners, the rose petals and the gorgeous surprise treats.

And there's totally nothing wrong with that: You definitely deserve some romance in your life.

But the problem these "hopeless romantic" girls face is in today's culture of hookups, "hanging out," friends with benefits and casual, almost relationships, they can't find the guy who'll satisfy them with grand, romantic gestures.

Let's be real: What guy is really going to whisk you off on a helicopter to a private yacht, where you can drink champagne and lie in a jacuzzi?

Yeah. That's what I thought.

But the "hopeless romantic" girl knows what she wants, and is therefore always disappointed when the guys she likes just don't measure up.

Here are five ways the hopeless romantic girl can navigate today's dating world and end up with her very own Prince Charming:

1. Be upfront, no matter what.

There's no shame in your game. You want what you want, and you should let that be known from the get go.

A guy isn't randomly going to be able to read your mind. If you want crazy romance and butterflies, ask for it, damn it!

The right guy will give it to you. If he doesn't, trust me: He isn't worth your time anyway.

2. Do whatever makes you happy.

Stay passionate about what you believe in, whether it's your yoga practice, love of cheesy romantic movies or even Pinterest wedding board: You do you.

They always say love comes around when you least expect it, and in the interim, you deserve to explore and cultivate your passions. They're what make you YOU... all mushy, lovable you.

You can't really find anyone until you've realized who you are first.

3. Stay picky.

No matter what horrible guys you run into while you're trying to find "the one," don't lower your expectations.

After a few terrible dates, I know it can be tempting to just think of all guys as being the same... especially when these types of guys are all you can find.

But by settling, you're not letting that hopeless romantic in you thrive, and you're just setting yourself up for a lifetime of unhappiness.

The only way you'll survive the crazy dating world is if you remain strong about what you want... and deserve.

4. Plan a few romantic gestures yourself.

You give what you get, so if you want a few huge romantic gestures, remember to plan some yourself.

Your significant other will appreciate them so much more, and you'll be able to showcase exactly what you expect for yourself. Love is all about give and take, so definitely don't be afraid to go ALL OUT.

5. Never stop believing in love.

Being a hopeless romantic in today's world gets real stressful, real fast. But you should never stop believing your soulmate is out there.

Yes, the "hopeless romantic" guys are few and far between. But they're out there, and one will fall for YOUR hopelessly romantic ideals too.

You just have to be a little patient.