8 Tips for Dating in Your 30s Without Going Completely Crazy

Dating in your 20s is a whole 'nother ballgame than dating in your 30s.

Times change, we grow and learn, and frankly, I wouldn't go back to those days if you paid me (okay, if you paid me a LOT I might ... maybe).

Being in your 30s comes with a lot of pretty rad changes - you're wiser, you're smarter, you've learned what you want and what you don't, and you're ready to find someone worthy of you. Because you're awesome.

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Here are some tips for dating in your 30s.

1) Opt for men, not boys. Men in their 20s are a different breed from men in their 30s. Like you, they've gotten their lives together and are ready to find out what they want from a partner.

2) Learn to let the small stuff go. It's NOT all small stuff (contrary to the popular book), but there are a lot of fights you'd have had in your 20s that you've now learned are NOT WORTH IT.

3) Look for a partner who shares the same values and beliefs that you do. It's a vital part of any relationship, but in your 30s, you're more likely to know what you stand for. Find someone who matches that.

4) Relax if you haven't found Mr. Right. You're now older, sexier, wiser, and MORE full of the awesome. You don't need to rush in and out of relationships as quickly as you change your nail polish.

5) Enjoy those quiet moments alone. Dating in your 20s has a lot of we! must! spend! every! second! together - but dating in your 30s? You can enjoy those moments alone, doing what YOU want to do.

6) Don't settle for less than you deserve. You've done it before - we all have - but it's time to look your relationship in the face and ask yourself "is this what I want?" and be able to answer it.

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7) If it's not working, and you don't think it's going to, dump him. Yeah, it's not particularly NICE to be so harsh, but really, why waste YOUR time on someone who is decidedly NOT worth it.

8) Remind yourself that it's okay to be weak in front of your partner sometimes. It's hard, when you're used to doing things your way, to want to behave as though you need someone. Relationships are always give and take - remember that.

Any other advice for dating in your 30s?

Image via justDONQUE.images/Flickr

Written by Aunt Becky on CafeMom's blog, The Stir.

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