The Top 10 Dating Mistakes You Really Should Avoid (Seriously, Don't Do These)

Mistake #1: Pretending to Be Someone You’re Not

Ah, the classic bait-and-switch. Pretending to love sports when you can’t even name three teams might seem like a good idea at first. But trust me, when your partner starts asking you about the offside rule in hockey (yes, that’s a thing), your cover will be blown faster than a cheap toupee in a windstorm. Authenticity is key—unless you want to end up binge-watching ESPN alone in the dark, frantically Googling “what is a touchdown?”

Mistake #2: Making Them Your Everything

We’ve all seen that friend who drops everything the moment their partner calls. Don’t be that friend. Making someone your entire world is like investing all your money in a single stock—a very risky move. Keep your hobbies, friends, and that Wednesday night pottery class. You never know when you might need a beautiful vase to throw at the wall in frustration.

Mistake #3: Not Setting Boundaries

Without boundaries, your budding romance can quickly turn into an episode of “Survivor.” You think you’re exclusive, while they think you’re casually dating. Awkward. Have the “what are we?” conversation early on. Sure, it’s uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as running into them with someone else at the local taco joint.

Mistake #4: Juggling Too Many Prospects

Talking to multiple people at once might seem like a smart strategy to keep your options open. But if you’re managing more conversations than a call center operator, you’re bound to drop the ball—or worse, mix up their names. “Goodnight, Steve—I mean, Sam—oh, whatever your name is!” Simplify your dating life and focus on quality over quantity.

Mistake #5: Sacrificing Your Own Needs

If you hate cooking but find yourself whipping up gourmet meals because “he loves a home-cooked dinner,” it’s time to reevaluate. Resentment will simmer faster than that pot roast. Remember, a relationship is a two-way street, not a one-way express lane to Miseryville. Compromise is fine, but self-sacrifice? Not so much.

Mistake #6: Playing Cat and Mouse

Nobody likes a game of emotional tag. If you’re always the one chasing, it’s time to slow down and let them come to you. Balance the effort. Remember, a relationship should be a waltz, not a 100-meter dash. Unless you’re dating Usain Bolt, in which case, good luck keeping up.

Mistake #7: Falling for Just a Pretty Face

Cute? Check. Hot? Double check. Compatible? Whoops. Dating someone just because they’re easy on the eyes is like buying a car solely because it has a cool paint job. Sure, it looks great, but does it run? Dig deeper than the surface, or you might find yourself stuck in the breakdown lane of love.

Mistake #8: Dating to Fill a Void

Feeling lonely and thinking a relationship will fix everything? Think again. A partner should complement your life, not complete it. Work on building yourself up first. Remember, a healthy relationship is like a cake—your partner is the icing, not the main ingredient.

Mistake #9: Ignoring the Love Triangle (Not the Drama Kind)

Let’s get a bit academic here: Sternberg’s Triangle of Love. It’s a psychological theory that says a healthy relationship needs intimacy, passion, and commitment. Missing one? Your love life might be wobbly. Think of it as a three-legged stool—take one leg away, and down you go. Make sure you’ve got all three, or you might just end up sitting on the floor.

Mistake #10: Dating with Marriage Blinkers On

Dating with the sole aim of finding a spouse can turn every date into an audition for a lifetime role. Relax. Enjoy the journey without mentally fitting them for a wedding ring after the first coffee date. Not every relationship is meant to end in “I do,” and that’s perfectly okay. Don't get depressed and take some wrong decisions.

Bonus mistake :

I personally advice not to get physical without knowing actual background of a person .Especially when you are a young adult be very cautious about whom you're dating and what are their intentions with you .

There you have it—the top 10 dating mistakes to avoid. Now go forth and date smart, my friend. And remember, love might be a battlefield, but with these tips, you’ll be more like Wonder Woman than a hapless foot soldier.