20 Life Lessons Only Dating Can Teach

Dating is a rollercoaster; it sometimes involves weird, awkward moments and questionable decisions. It’s where you discover the real significance of patience, communication, and not yelling about bizarre food habits. By the highs and lows and those “we need to talk” conversations, you’d realize that the only thing more chaotic than your emotions is trying to pick a place to eat without fighting.

1. Patience is Key

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You will soon learn that waiting 30 minutes for someone to select where they want to eat is a test of endurance. You thought you were a patient person, but now you know what waiting really is. If you do not develop this patience, you will only end up eating fast food in solitude.

2. Don’t Expect Too Much

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That dream date you had in mind is likely just a Pinterest fantasy. Whenever he says, “I know this amazing spot,” it will be a gas station or a fast-food joint. Lower your expectations, and you’ll avoid heartbreak—and indigestion.

3. Personal Hygiene Can’t Be Overrated

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If your date doesn’t shower often, that’s a given deal-breaker. That “I’m too busy to shower” excuse? Your busy schedule won’t make you any less stinky. Nothing kills the mood, not even body odor.

4. You Can’t Change People

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You can train somebody to use a napkin, but you can’t train them to enjoy cleaning. Dating is all about accepting the peculiarities—like their inability to throw a single item into a laundry basket. If you think you can clean them up, you will walk into an endless cycle of disappointment and dirty dishes.

5. Love is Blind… Until Someone Farts

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All rainbows and butterflies until the first time they let one rip. Suddenly, something as pure as your emotional connection does not feel so deep. Real love is about accepting bodily functions or pretending not to notice.

6. Overthinking is a Relationship Killer

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You will decode every text and wonder whether the missing emoji means they are angry or have just run out of emojis. Overthinking your relationship is like using a magnifying glass to read a receipt–you will be more confused in the end than when you started. Sometimes, it’s just a text about nothing.

7. Communication is More Than Texting

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A midnight text might seem sweet, but it’s no substitute for the audio delight of hearing someone’s voice. If you just text, you might as well date a chatbot. You need to face awkward silences in the flesh–not just emojis.

8. Never Date Your Ex’s BFFs

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It may sound great, but soon, you will find you share little more than fumbled meetings at social functions. If you’re thinking of “just getting to know them better,” they already know too much about you. Dating your ex’s best friend is like walking into a minefield–you never know when you’ll get blown up.  

9. It’s Not Always About You

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Sometimes, they cancel plans because of work, not because you wore your “no effort” sweatpants. Life happens—deal with it. Relationships teach you that sometimes you’re not the center of the universe, and that’s okay!

10. The First Date Is Just an Audition

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Both of you are auditioning for the prize of “Most Likely to Impress.” If both of you make it out without saying something stupid, you’ve earned a second date. It’s like a job interview, with less awkward silence and fewer “please hold for a moment” moments.

11. Never Underestimate the Power of a Good Outfit

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There are nights when your wardrobe is the only thing standing between you and that perfect date. A clean shirt and matching shoes make a world of difference. You’ll realize that the “I have nothing to wear” crisis does exist and is urgent.

12. The Silent Treatment is Real

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If they don’t text you for 24 hours, it becomes the Olympic sport: wait or text? Dating teaches the art of guessing whether they are playing hard to get or forgot their phone at home. It is a delicate balance.

13. Love Language: Food

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Nothing says “I care,” like showing up with a pizza on a bad day. You’ll discover that your soulmate’s love language may be pizza, tacos, or the ability to cook pasta without burning it. Relationships are built on food, or that’s the universal truth.

14. You’ll Become a Professional at Reading Signals

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Did they smile or grimace? Was that a laugh or a nervous cough? Soon, you’ll master the subtle art of analyzing every word, facial expression, and awkward moment.

15. It’s Not a Competition

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Just because someone hiked with their ex doesn’t mean they went skydiving on top of that. Dating teaches you it’s all about that connection, not who did the most extreme sports. No one gets a trophy for doing the most adventurous thing.

16. Trust Is Built on Weird Things

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Trust is true honesty, and you should avoid being behind your phone behind their back–or at least getting away with it. Dating teaches you that trust is built on an exchange of weird actions, like your phone not having a password when they’re around or not questioning those incessant “just a friend” texts.

17. The Respected Personal Space

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You thought you liked someone? Then you spend 48 hours together. Suddenly, you come to realize that alone time is your best friend. Dating teaches you that space doesn’t mean you don’t care; it means you value your sanity.

18. Surprise! You’re Not Perfect Either

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You will think your flaws are the end of the world until you realize they believe their flaws are the end, too. Dating helps you embrace the fact that both of you are likely to make embarrassing mistakes, but that’s how the relationship strengthens. It’s not about being perfect; it is laughing at your awkwardness.

19. People Really Do Have a Type

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You will start to notice patterns like they date people with a particular haircut or style. It’s almost like they’re in some secret club, and you just happen to get an invitation to come and experience a trial. At least you’re getting some free lessons on how to pick the right shoes.

20. Break-ups Are Just Part of the Ride

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Heartbreak is a bummer, but also great for learning resilience. Dating will teach you that the end of one thing is just the awkward start of another. And, of course, who wouldn’t want some dramatic breakup tale to tell their friends about?

• Tags:
• couple
• Dating
• Relationships
• love