It’s easy to get excited about someone new—you’ve been chatting for a week or two, he seems nice, and you catch yourself telling friends, “Wish me luck!” But here’s why I think that’s a problem: when you assign hopeful potential too early, you set yourself up for unnecessary disappointment. In this post, I’ll share why dating well isn’t about luck—it’s about trusting yourself, going slow, leading with intention in your dating life.

Dating can feel like a gamble, and it’s tempting to look for ways to guarantee a good outcome. But here’s the truth—there’s no insurance for dating. No amount of checklists, social media polls, or background details will predict whether someone is a great match. Some things you just can’t know until you know them. The real key? Trusting yourself to recognize what works, what doesn’t, and adjusting as you go.

First dates aren’t for kissing. They are for discovering if this is someone you might want to kiss in the future. Learn why holding off on physical intimacy can lead to more meaningful relationships.