Create a List

When dating, it is easy to lose perspective and get caught up in the newness and butterflies.  That is why it's important to create a list of everything that is important to you. We all have that right to expect these things in relationships.  For the most part, the things we expect in relationships are common sense.  However, once those new feelings and infatuation begin -- our brain turns to mush.  That is when we make excuses for that other person, telling ourselves that it's fine to tolerate these things that we know are not right.

A sample of my list includes (BUT it's really a much longer list):

IMPORTANT FACTORS IN MY RELATIONSHIP/THINGS TO REMEMBER
~ honest intentions
~ courteous and kind
~ respects me & others
~ emotionally available
~ communication
~ intimacy (not just physically, but mentally as well)
~ a great life behind closed doors (do we have fun one on one)
~ a fun person in social settings (does he get along with my friends, etc.)
~ always follow your gut instinct, if something feels off, it normally is

Feel free to adjust your list as you are dating the wrong ones, sometimes we don't realize what is important to us until we have experienced how we don't want to be treated.  Stick to your list and refer to it often as you are dating. Again, don't be unrealistic and expect perfection. Be realistic and expect the truly important things: honesty, respect, effort, etc.

Additional information to assist in this process:
How to Find Love: 6 Steps to Create Your Soulmate “List”
 
Listening to self help videos & audio always helped me through my rough patches! The Importance of Self-Talk. Change has never been easier!