Dating is frustrating, complicated, and often feels downright impossible at times. It wouldn’t be so bad if we could rely on finding love at the end of it all, but instead, we’re regularly tested in these 10 ways with little payoff.
- Patience Whether you’re on a date with the dullest guy on earth or you’ve been waiting for the dude you like to hurry up and call you his GF already, patience is required at all levels when you’re dating. This can be challenging for impatient women who have no tolerance for BS or hanging around. On the plus side, dating helps you to become more patient because the alternative is being rude to people, and nobody wants to be thought of as a jerk.
- Willpower No, you probably shouldn’t be going on a date with that hottie Brian from your office when you’re already dating someone else who dotes on you, but sometimes you just can’t resist. Hey, you’re only human. The universe likes to put scenarios like this in front of you to see how you react, and if you can resist the whole “forbidden fruit” thing, then you must really like the guy you’re dating. Either way, you live and you learn.
- Organizational skills Trying to fit everything and everyone who’s already in your life into your busy schedule is a challenge in itself, never mind the new guy(s) you’re trying to date. The universe likes to test how good we are with juggling work, friends, family, exercise, hobbies and life admin with dating. It’s actually a bit of a joke at your expense. If you manage to find a balance, congratulations—it’s way easier said than done.
- Ideals You think you don’t want a relationship… until this Greek god comes into your life out of the blue and starts romancing you. Suddenly, everything you thought you wanted before looks a little blurry and out of focus. Say goodbye to your old ideals and hello to brand new desires and wishes that you never expected to re-surface. No matter how self-assured you are, this can shake you to the core.
- Knowledge You thought you knew everything there was to know about men, but they just keep surprising you more and more with each coming day. With every new guy you’re coming across, they’re teaching you something that you didn’t know before. This is a good test by the universe. After all, you know what they say: knowledge is power, and life is full of lessons you have to learn for yourself.
- Independence You thought you liked being on your own, but now that some potentially great new guys are on the scene again, you’re not so sure. You might start to realize that having someone to snuggle up with during cold nights in front of the fire is actually kinda nice, and that how you thought you felt about your fierce independence is up for negotiation. That’s the universe testing you at its finest.
- Strength Your emotional strength is massively put to the test when you’re dating. You might have thought that you were made of stone… until you start getting the feels for a guy and then he decides to move across the country spontaneously. All of a sudden, staying in on a Friday night to sob into a tub of ice-cream sounds like a really good idea. As they say, what doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger, and this is the universe testing out your emotional muscles.
- Loyalty Dating truly makes you realize what, or rather who, you want. In this day and age, there’s an abundance of choice when it comes to men thanks to dating apps and sites. You could quite easily betray the trust of a guy who you’re seeing and enjoying your time with just for a quick kiss with your ex-BF when you bump into him on a drunken night out. What you decide to do will teach you how you really feel about the guys in question. And, even though it’s not always straightforward, having your loyalty tested really helps you to figure things out.
- Physical fitness level Dashing around all the time and trying to fit dates into your hectic weekly schedule can undeniably test your physical level of fitness, especially if the universe decides to throw several cute guys at you at once. Then there’s all the potential sex you could be having… Seriously, who needs the gym?
- Emotions Dating is a rollercoaster ride, that’s for sure, and your emotions will constantly be tested. But, ultimately, these tests by the universe help you figure out what you truly want for yourself out of dating and out of life. Sometimes it’s not all about the final destination, it’s about the journey to get there. Hopefully, in the end, you’ll decide it’s all been worth it.
