2017 Is Going To Be The Year I Find Love — I Have A Plan

Last year was great for my personal and professional life. I advanced my career, strengthened my connection with my family and friends, and became a more passionate, self-assured person. The one thing I didn’t do is find love, and I’m determined to do that in 2017. Here’s how:

  1. I’ll trust actions over words. I often listen to a guy’s sweet nothings and automatically assume he’s telling the truth. Sure, the words are beautiful, but the actions rarely match what he’s saying. Instead of listening to all those lovely lies, I’m going to see a guy for who he is by paying close attention to how he acts. Only the ones who meet my standards will have a chance with me.
  2. I’ll stick to my morals. Last year, I thought I found “The One.” I even loosened the grip on my own moral compass because I thought if I could just relax a little, it would work out for the best. It didn’t, though, because he thought less of me for being somebody that I normally wouldn’t be. I learned my lesson and I’ll never do that again. If a guy doesn’t like how I live my life or appreciate me for me, he can move along.
  3. I’ll be more confident. Oftentimes, I’ll date guys that aren’t worth my time because it’s a bit of an ego boost, but that’s done and over with now. I know what I have to offer is pretty great, and that’s what will attract a good guy into my life instead of the losers who prey on girls with obvious insecurities.
  4. I’ll keep my overthinking to a minimum. I can’t quit overthinking altogether because that’s just a part of who I am, but I can keep it in check by working on it, and that’s exactly what I’ll do. I won’t picture my wedding after the first date, and I won’t assume he hates me because he hasn’t texted back in an hour. In other words, I’m going to keep my crazy thoughts in check.
  5. All my time will be spent strategically. Instead of wasting time on the wrong things or people, I will use every minute of my time doing something I’m passionate about. If a guy shows me his true colors, I won’t waste any more energy waiting on him to be the good guy I once thought he was — I’ll move on to someone who’s worth it. I don’t like serial dating, but I’ll have to keep my options open if I want to meet Mr. Right.
  6. I’ll live for me. A lot can be said for the cliche, “Stop looking for love and you’ll find it.” That’s exactly what I plan to do. I’m going to be open to love in 2017, but I won’t revolve my whole life around my search. I’m going to do things for myself, and when he shows up, I’ll know.
  7. I’ll lay everything out on the table. This might be a faux pas, but instead of trying to act like Little Miss Perfect, I’m going to let my flaws be known as early on as possible. That way, if the guy can’t get past something or judges me for my shortcomings, I’ll know that much sooner that he’s not the guy for me and I’ll be that much closer to finding the one that is.
  8. I’ll expand my social outings. I’m a little stuck in my ways when it comes to how I socialize. Instead of expecting the same results from the same old things I’ve done, I’m going to expand my horizons, and maybe that will allow me to meet someone who’s truly worthy of my time and my love.
  9. I’ll take more risks. When I was younger, I used to take all kinds of risks. As the years went by, however, I became more and more cautious and way less adventurous. Now that I’ve spent the last few years of my life living no risk, no reward, I’m going to change that. To find true love is a risk in and of itself, so I’m done with playing it safe.
  10. I’ll stop being afraid to have my heart broken. Perhaps the most pertinent thing I’m going to have to do this year is to stop letting my fear of finding love stand in the way of actually finding it. Heartbreak is a scary thing, but love is the best thing in the world and the longer I run scared, the harder it’ll be to actually find it. In 2017, I will no longer sabotage my own chances of love by letting the fear rule my actions.
Angelica Bottaro has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Trent University and an Advanced Diploma in Journalism from Centennial College. She began her career as a freelance writer in 2014, racking up bylines in The Good Men Project, MakeWell, LymeTime, YouQueen, and more. She eventually shifted her focus and began writing about mental health, nutrition, and chronic disease for VeryWell Health.

You can follow her on Facebook or check out her website at AngelicaBottaro.ca. She also posts on Instagram @a.ct._b and Twitter @angiiebee.
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