Dating in today’s society can be a rollercoaster, especially for someone who hasn’t been on the dating scene for a long time. Loving yourself is a key aspect to any relationship and if you find yourself sacrificing your wants and needs for someone else, it’s time to take a look at your self-esteem and how it’s affecting your dating life. Here are 4 ways to keep your self-esteem in check while dating.

1. Do not chase after the person in whom you are interested. Don’t let your eagerness to get into a relationship get in the way of your self-confidence. If the person you like is truly interested in you, then he or she will be as eager to contact and see you as you are for him/her. Tell yourself that it’s his/her loss for not getting to know you better, and then move on.

2. Trust your instincts. Sometimes we tend to cast aside certain signs or signals we instinctively feel that let us know if a person is not right for us. If your inner voice sets off those alarms with regards to the person you are dating, listen to it.

3. Don’t make excuses for your partner’s behavior. Check your self-esteem if you ever find yourself trying to justify your significant other’s conduct to family and friends. Ask yourself if that person is worthy of your love if he/she displays behaviors you feel don’t align with your expectations.

4. It’s better to be alone than in an unhealthy relationship. Love yourself enough to realize when someone isn’t right for you. Know that you’d be better off without that person in your life. You deserve only the best so don’t ever put up with anyone or anything less than you deserve.

One of the most important relationships you can have is with your self-esteem. Just like any relationship, maintaining high self-esteem takes effort, but once you put in the work, the search for someone worthy of your love and respect becomes a lot less stressful. Remember to take the time to fall in love with yourself first. If you need help improving your self-esteem, we can help. Contact us at (954) 832-3602. We are located in Hollywood, Florida.

Alicia Emamdee is the author of the YA Romance novel, “Aloha Self-Esteem?” which is created specifically for teen girls and the challenges they face with regards to their self-esteem in our society today. Written as a love story, the book provides ways to help increase self-esteem and gain self-confidence.