5 Crucial Dating Tips & Hacks For The Feminist Dater From Strong, Grown-Ass Women

ThinkTank host Hannah Cranston couldn't stress enough the true importance of embracing who you are fully when you enter the dating world. "I think when you’re unapologetically you from the get go, you end up finding good and quality men," she tells Elite Daily. "But before that, you get to know yourself. And that’s what is most important."

Too true. People can sniff out disingenuous behavior a mile away. Not to mention, what's even the point of dating someone who doesn't fully embrace you when you let your freak flag fly? Ain't nobody got time for that.

"Take the pressure off of whatever the event is, so you can not have emotion attached to it," says host and producer Vivian Nweze, emphasizing the importance of lowering the stakes before a date. She suggests going into a date and reminding yourself that it's just dinner, or it's just coffee.

This is totally valid advice. Getting caught up in your nerves can fog your ability to enjoy your time — and you SHOULD give yourself permission to enjoy your the date. I always like to remind myself that, even if a date went haywire, it'd at least be a good story. Nothing is a wasted experience!

Screenwriter Anna Klassen strongly advocates for women making the first move. "For whatever reason, I like approaching men and making the first move," she says to Elite Daily. "It makes me feel like I’m beginning a potential relationship on my own terms. I’ll even pay for a first meal or drinks if I did the asking out — it’s only fair!"

YAS, QUEEN, YAS! Even if making the first move isn't your thing, it's essential to feel empowered to maneuver the dating scene in a way that makes you feel strong and safe.

Listen up, ladies and gents: Don't go into a date unprepared.

"I use lots of breathing techniques," says Complex host Natasha Alexis Martinez. "I always try to breathe deeply, exhale, take a moment to take care of myself before a date."

Beyond that, Nweze also recommends turning off the noise — which is one tip I literally never considered. "If I talked to my girlfriends or listen to music [before a date], I start to feel the hype — but then that hype just turns into anxiety," she says.

Umm... why didn't I ever realize that? Sure. Big, loud music can sometimes make you feel amped, but take stock of your emotions and make sure that energy isn't actually fueling your anxiety. Instead, take a few moments to be silent and collect your thoughts, maybe do some power poses, and still your nerves.

Think of it this way: Dates are just an opportunity to meet someone different from you, ask a couple questions, and maybe learn something. I found that the dates where I went in looking to wholeheartedly find what was interesting about my date's perspective were some of the moments that developed me as a person the most.

"Try to be open." says Nweze. "A lot of people have such a set idea of what they want, that the right person might pop up right in front of them, but because they don’t fit some set of specifications, you shut yourself off."

This hits the nail on the head. Sometimes, you think you know what you want, but until you open yourself up to a variety of experiences, you might be completely closing yourself off to certain qualities that you actually need — qualities that make you a stronger, more well-rounded individual.

Having a hard time getting out of your head? Try to start small. Go somewhere unusual on a date. Visit a museum instead of grabbing drinks. Try a new food.

And, hey, it never hurts to try something new! It can only add to your worldview.

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