Make Your Dating Resolutions a Reality

A new year sparks fresh opportunities for self-improvement, and for many, that includes enhancing their love lives. Whether you’re single and hoping to meet someone special or in a committed relationship looking to strengthen your bond, dating resolutions can be an empowering way to focus on your personal growth and connections. Here’s a deeper dive into the most common dating resolutions and how to bring them to life.

Resolution: Take a leap and join the dating scene.

Meeting new people broadens your perspective and opens up possibilities for finding someone who complements your values and lifestyle. If you’ve been stuck in a routine or hesitant to try dating, this resolution can help you step outside your comfort zone and embrace the excitement of connection.

Feeling nervous about getting started? According to dating coach and relationship expert Damona Hoffman, it’s all about practicing! In her book F the Fairy Tale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Own Love Story, she says that dating is not instinctual, but rather a skill we learn.

If you approach dating with curiosity and see it as a venue for self-growth, you can build relational skills that will aid in your dating life and impact every other person you interact with…including yourself. With a growth mindset around dating skills like profile writing, flirting, conversation techniques, texting, and even sex, you can rewrite any stories that have blocked you from finding your ultimate happily ever after.

–Damona Hoffman, author, F the Fairy Tale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Own Love Story

How to Achieve It:

• Explore popular dating apps tailored to your goals, whether it’s casual dating or serious relationships.
• Attend local events like hobby clubs or community meetups. Speed dating and singles mixers are also great options.
• Say “yes” to invitations where you might meet new people—you never know who’s out there!

Resolution: Be a better communicator in your relationships.

Strong communication is the foundation of any successful relationship. Misunderstandings often arise when people fail to express their needs or listen effectively. Mastering communication creates deeper trust, fosters emotional intimacy, and prevents small conflicts from escalating.

According to Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, a sex and relationships expert and associate professor of Communications at California State University, Fullerton, the key to great communication on a date is balance.

The conversational flow [on a date] should be around 50/50 . . . If you talk too much on a date and you don’t ask them enough questions, it shows a lack of interest, and they won’t feel good about the date or you, so make sure that there is reciprocity in your conversation.

–Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, sex and relationship expert, California State University, Fullerton

How to Achieve It:

• Practice active listening by summarizing your partner’s points before responding.
• Read relationship books or attend workshops to strengthen communication skills.
• Use clear, non-judgmental language like “I feel…” to share your thoughts.

Resolution: Embrace your authentic self.

Authenticity is magnetic. When you let go of trying to fit into a mold and focus on being your true self, you naturally attract people who appreciate you for who you are. This resolution also helps you avoid unhealthy relationships that stem from pretending to be someone you’re not.

How to Achieve It:

• Reflect on your core values and what you want in a relationship.
• Stop comparing yourself to others—your uniqueness is your strength.
• Build confidence by expressing honest feelings, even when it’s vulnerable.

Resolution: Be the best version of yourself.

When you feel good about yourself, it shows in every interaction. Prioritizing self-love enhances your confidence and helps you set boundaries, ensuring you enter relationships from a place of strength rather than insecurity. Plus, a healthy mind and body make you more resilient in the face of dating challenges.

According to Dr. Morgan Anderson, relationship coach, host of the Let’s Get Vulnerable podcast, and author of Love Magnet: Get Off the Dating Rollercoaster and Attract the Love You Deserve, it’s really simple. When it comes to improving self care and romantic patterns, she recommends her clients embody the kind of person they’d date themselves.

I always ask my clients, “Would you be excited to date you?” It is so important that you have worked on your healing enough to be able to show up with a blank slate and healthy relationship beliefs. You want to have healed enough that you can co-create a securely attached bond with the right partner.

–Morgan Anderson, host of the Let’s Get Vulnerable podcast

How to Achieve It:

• Cultivate a routine that includes regular exercise, healthy eating, and sleep.
• Pursue hobbies and interests that bring you joy and fulfillment.
• Practice gratitude and focus on positivity to boost your emotional well-being.

Resolution: Let go of emotional baggage and start fresh.

Carrying unresolved pain from past relationships can cloud your judgment and hinder your ability to trust or open up. By addressing and processing these emotions, you create a clean slate, making room for healthier, more fulfilling connections.

This is because pain from our past can make it difficult for us to be open to connection in the present. According to Dr. Terri Orbuch, the attachment we feel to our past partners—or rather, a lack of it—is a predictor of future romantic success. 

My research finds that people who were able to say, “I don’t feel much of anything for my ex” were more mentally and emotionally prepared for meeting a new person, choosing new patterns, and discovering a new life, than those who were grieving, held grudges, or worse—were still in love.

–Terri Orbuch, professor, relationship researcher, and therapist

How to Achieve It:

• Journal or talk to a trusted friend about lessons learned from past relationships.
• Work with a therapist to address unresolved issues and build emotional resilience.
• Practice forgiveness to free yourself from lingering negativity.

Resolution: Deepen your bond with your partner.

Are you in a committed relationship already? Long-term relationships can sometimes feel routine, but reigniting the spark reminds you why you fell in love in the first place. This resolution strengthens your emotional and physical intimacy, reinforcing your partnership and creating cherished memories.

How to Achieve It:

• Plan fun and meaningful date nights regularly.
• Discover each other’s love languages and prioritize affection that matters most to your partner.
• Set relationship goals and celebrate small milestones together.

Turning Resolutions Into Reality

Dating resolutions are more than wishful thinking—they’re an investment in your happiness and relationships. By understanding why these goals matter and taking practical steps to achieve them, you can transform your love life in meaningful ways. Small, consistent efforts will help you grow and find deeper, more satisfying connections this year.

Are you ready to make this your best year for love and connection?

Sources

10 Essential Pieces of Expert Dating Advice | Psychology Today