Mindfulness may be a popular buzzword at the moment, but we don’t often associate mindfulness with dating and relationships, even though we should.
We often characterize mindfulness as being present, usually in an open and non-judgmental manner.
If we don’t approach them from a place of mindfulness, dating and relationships can be draining. Typically, there’s often emotional energy involved.
Here are four reasons why mindfulness can positively impact our dating lives along with our relationships:
1. Vulnerability is powerful.
“Making yourself vulnerable over and over again can be emotionally exhausting,” Kali Rogers expresses. Vulnerability is a willingness to expose our most authentic versions of ourselves. It’s also a sense of security in stepping out of our comfort zones.
Vulnerability takes awareness, and awareness is grounded in mindfulness. However, allowance connects mindfulness and vulnerability. Our relationships with others are a result of our willingness to be open and eradicate our predetermined beliefs.
When embracing both our strengths and insecurities can intertwine dating with vulnerability we find the intimacy we all strive for. People are intimately attracted to authenticity, which can improve the quality of our relationships.
Vulnerability also takes the form of self-acceptance. When we truly love ourselves and share it with the world, we will always attract the people who are meant for us.
2. Mindfulness leads to fewer expectations.
Before we meet our dates in person, we form beliefs about who they are and align our expectations accordingly.
When we look ahead to our future with them, we create a narrative that isn’t real. We try to live up to those false realities. When we look back at our past relationships and assume that our latest date will be more of the same, we build up walls to protect ourselves in the future.
Being mindful lowers our expectations, which allows us to see our partner, or potential partner, not as who we want them to be, but instead as who they are. It also allows us to love ourselves in the process.
When we go into dates being mindful of ourselves and others, expectations no longer matter.
A mindfulness mindset is a perspective with few expectations. Being mindful gets rid of our what ifs and sweaty palms. Having lower expectations and embracing uncertainty is exciting, especially in the dating world.
3. Our intentions are aligned.
One of the most essential lessons I’ve learned is that being intentional can greatly help in our relationships.
When you’re mindful, you’re consequently more clear with your intentions. Your clear communication then works wonders on your relationships. When you have clear intentions, you are aware of who you are, what you are, your needs, your wants and what you value most. This means that you are likely to openly share not only your values, but also your wants, needs, and your understanding of your worth. It also means that you are willing to express emotions in a way that may expose you to possibly being hurt, but in the long run, your vulnerability will only help you.
Mindfulness practice has helped me improve my emotional communication skills. I haven’t’ always been one to express how I’m feeling, but my self-expression has made all the difference. Now, I can correctly practice action and intention and label my feelings when I communicate with romantic partners.
4. Being present allows ourselves to appreciate the moment.
A core concept of mindfulness, living in the now, urges us to enjoy each moment for what it is. When we embrace mindfulness in dating or relationships, we genuinely accept the person we are sharing an experience with. This lets the relationship flow naturally.
Spending distracted, absent time with our partners do both us and them a disservice because we can’t truly enjoy time when we’re not present. Appreciate the quality time you share with your partner rather than spending energy and time trying to convince either yourself or someone else to see you as the one for them.
If you do not live in the present moment, it’s easy to become caught up in what’s missing rather than embracing all that is. Refusing to practice mindfulness can end a relationship out of premature dissatisfaction because you expect your partner to be more than what you can see.
Mindfulness allows you to embrace the natural flow of each relationship and date. So before your next date or relationship, take the necessary steps to make sure you stay present, breath, and aligned with who you are.
