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Valentine's Day Tips for Singles

by Kateryna Spiwak

It's What You Make It
Realize that February 14th is really just another date on the calendar. It's what you make it, and has all the importance you give it. Either downplay it, or create your own reasons to celebrate it.

Attitude Counts
If you can't diminish the sadness it causes for you, then take action to limit its effect and to retain your personal power. Don't fall victim to a negative mindset and the annual “drowning of the sorrows”. Instead, consciously focus on the good things in your life, rather than on what's missing. Focus on friends, family and the other blessings you have.

Share the Love
While couples are celebrating love with each other, take this opportunity to celebrate the love you already have in your life. Make Valentine's Day a time for spending time with family and friends. Give cards and gifts to your loved ones, bake cookies with your kids, babysit your nephews, volunteer to cheer up some lonely seniors. Pre-arrange a gift exchange with a good friend, same-sex or opposite. Don't forget that love is about much more than just having a partner in your life.

In With the New
Create some great new Valentine's Day memories this year. Organize a get-together with family or your other single pals. Throw a martini party, have a DVD night, or go out dancing. Focus on having fun and enjoying your friends!

TLC Time
In need of some TLC? Treat yourself to something special this week – a haircut, facial, or massage; a gift, a movie, a new DVD or your favourite meal.

Create More Fun
Take a course, join a gym, or join a club to pursue a new hobby & make some new friends. Concentrate on creating happiness and a full life apart from a partner.

Get Outta Town!
If the idea of being in town with umpteen lovebirds is still too much to take some years, if at all possible, get out of town. Book a vacation or a b&b night away with a pal. Go have a new adventure! Create a new tradition of re-charging your batteries around Valentine's Day.

Post-Valentine’s Day Tips

Put New Life in Your Dating Life
Set some new goals for your dating life. Try meeting people in new ways - singles events, dances, on-line, through new hobbies. Polish your social skills in new settings to increase your confidence. Review your dating readiness and what you need to work on to get there.

Create An Open Mind About Attracting Love
Believe you deserve love and that it will come to you. Keep your eyes and ears open to all opportunities for meeting new people. Improve your attitude, and change any negative or limiting beliefs. Consciously project positive energy, openness, and acceptance of others. Remember - you'll attract what you project.

Keep Working On Yourself
Neutralize any major defense mechanisms, soften those emotional walls, & deal with any emotional baggage you’re carting around. Work on the traits that appeal to everyone – confidence, humour, an outgoing nature, a positive attitude, openness, kindness, & warmth. People aren’t drawn to negativity and neediness!

Seek Advice And Support From Others
Support and advice is available for finding and being ready for a loving relationship, whether from friends, social groups, family, life and dating coaches or therapists. Ask for support if you need it!

Keep On Developing Abundance In Your Life
Develop a life full of fun and positive energy. You’ll feel happier, and people will be drawn to the dynamic energy you project. Remember that being single is not a death sentence. It offers independence, personal growth, and the opportunity for a diverse social network. Remind yourself that you don't need a partner to be complete! You're already pretty amazing the way you are.

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Mingling to the Max

by Kateryna Spiwak

Does the thought going to a party or dance fill you with fear? Although some may never lose the jitters experienced as high-schoolers, with a little preparation and a little planning, you can take control of a socializing opportunity and have a great time.

Here's how:

1. Adopt the right frame of mind before even leaving home. You're really just going out to have fun, not to get a marriage proposal before the stroke of 12. Focus on the fun, not on the fears.

2. Build your confidence. Reflect on your attributes as you're getting ready to go out. Although you still get the occasional blemish and your hair still misbehaves, you're no longer that scared kid whose knees shook at the thought of dancing with your "crush". You're all grown up now, with accomplishments and greater confidence in your bag of tricks. If need be, ask your friends to remind you of your positive characteristics.

3. Prepare a strategy. Determine what you want to get out of the evening. If you just want to have a fun social evening with friends, do what comes naturally. Stand around and chat, or hit the floor and shake your booty. However, if your goal is to be noticed by that great gal or guy, you need to try something different.

4. Be seen to get noticed. This means you'll need to wander around (yes, it can be scary). Change locations, move between floors, visit the bar, and get out on the dance floor. (The really crafty might even want to stake out a spot near the facilities, because everyone heads there eventually.)

5. Scan the place for interesting people. Ensure you see everyone who may be of interest to you. Take note of the gems and prepare to get noticed.

6. Get near someone you find interesting. When you find someone you like, stop near them and dawdle there for awhile. Make sure your body language conveys approachability. Try to appear relaxed and casual, with a pleasant, friendly facial expression.

7. Get the conversation started. If they don't start a conversation, take the lead yourself. Take the pressure off by adopting the perspective that you're just being friendly and casual, rather than trying to get them to profess true love within the next 10 minutes. A simple, "Hi, how's it going?" accompanied by a smile works wonders. Too shy for that? Eye contact and a smile can work just as well to break the ice. Still too aggressive for you? If they're with friends, start talking to one of the others instead. Once the ice is broken, chances are they'll introduce you to the others they're with. Alternately, get a friend to start the conversation and naturally draw you in. Now try to assess the person's interest in you. Is small talk flowing well, or is it just marginally less painful than dental work? If you're getting a good vibe, a lot of interest, and warm body language, stick around and keep talking. If not, politely excuse yourself and move on to the next person lucky enough to meet wonderful you. You're in control, and working the room to your advantage. Refresh your drink, and off you go on your next adventure.

By preparing yourself ahead of time and taking control of the situation, you can turn an evening of passivity or boredom into a great opportunity to meet people you want to date!

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Kateryna Spiwak and Dating Essentials is the dating advice expert for 519Singles.com, an online dating site for singles in Southwestern Ontario.

519Singles.com - Online Dating Site for Singles in southwestern Ontario - Windsor - Sarnia - Chatham - London - St. Thomas - Woodstock - Tillsonburg - Kitchener - Waterloo - Guelph - Cambridge

If you would like your site listed here, please email your request to
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Email: info@datingessentials.com

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