DITCH DATING BOREDOM

If you’ve been swimming circles around the dating pool with no luck, chances are you’re getting bored of going from one bad date to another. If that’s the case we’re here to help. We put together some simple tips for making dating fun again. So before you lose your faith in love for good, check out our tips for getting back into the excitement of dating fun.

LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS

Once you've been on enough dates, you start to get bored of the whole process and then every dinner, movie or picnic in the park becomes a breeding ground for expectations. You start hoping every guy you meet will be the one. But going into a date with any kind of expectations is always risky and could set you up for disappointment. The more you go in with an open mind and avoid any preconceived notions about how you may or may not feel, the better the date will go.

Maybe you met a cute guy at a party or a bar and you really clicked, but when you see him again you're not so intrigued. Give him a chance anyway – parties and bars make it so easy to click with people – you're relaxed, having a great time, there's lots of energy – but outside of that setting you need to work a little harder to find things to say and feel comfortable.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Since there are only so many movies you can see and so many restaurants you can go to before they all seem the same, one of the best ways to bust dating boredom is to do something non-traditional. First dates especially can be pretty nerve wracking so doing something different can help take the pressure off. Here are some ideas to think about:

• Play a round of mini golf
• Art gallery hopping
• Go hiking if there are trails close by
• Drive to a nearby town or city to have dinner there rather than where you both live
• Go bowling

TAKE THE LEAD

You might have more fun on your next few dates if you take more of an active role in making sure the evening goes well. For example, if you're at a restaurant where the service is awful and the food sucks, suggest skipping dessert and heading to your favorite bar for a nightcap, or if you can't stand the thought of seeing the movie he suggested, tell him and offer an alternate. Just going with the flow can be fine, but when you see an opportunity for improvement, you shouldn't be afraid to point it out.

DO SOMETHING ACTIVE

Never mind sitting in a movie theatre – why not work up a sweat? OK, sweating on a first date might not be everyone's cup of tea, but doing something that gets your endorphins flowing can be a great way to spend an afternoon with a new guy. Play catch in the park, head to a rock climbing gym for a lesson, or pack a Frisbee with your picnic so you can toss it around post-meal. Getting up and doing something active will help conversation flow, plus you're both likely to have more fun.