Dating & Relationship Advice

The acting life can easily become all-consuming. Emotions flying everywhere – nerves before auditions and shows, not knowing if I’ll get the job or not, excitement on opening night, heartbreak when I’ve worked so hard for a job and then find out someone else got it! Having performed in shows like ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ on the London stage and ‘Mary Poppins’ internationally, I know it’s a rollercoaster, unpredictable, a whirlwind, and a joy.

The dating world can be very daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Preparing yourself and having the right mindset can be the difference between success and failure when it comes to dating, especially if you’re starting dating again. There have been inspiring stories of people finding love even during lockdown, so if you’re one of the many people looking for love after you haven’t dated for a while, here are a few things to consider.

Rejection is God’s protection, as the saying goes, but when we’re on the receiving end of rejection, it feels anything but heaven-sent. Rejection can be painful and if we’ve been rejected before, we can become fearful of it happening again. So how do we overcome our fear so that we can enjoy the dating process?

“Our number one tip to be successful is to be honest with each other,” Alexandra and Carl, who got engaged after meeting on Christian Connection, told us. Telling the truth about yourself and your hopes for a relationship can feel risky. Yet, many of the couples who’ve found love on CC tell us how important it was to them to keep honesty at the centre their dating and relationships, from the very first step to their happy-ever-afters. Here are some of their stories.

Whenever I prepared for a date, I was nervous (of course) and excited (sometimes!) but I would get very anxious about certain areas of how the date would go. Would I run out of conversation? Would it be awkward? What if he tried to kiss me? My brain would go on overdrive and I would often consider backing out so I wouldn’t have to deal with the uncertainty.

Dating has changed. Face-to-face dating has made a comeback in some places, but it may be a long time before everything gets back to normal. In many parts of the world, some form of social distancing remains in place and a lot more dating is happening electronically than before the coronavirus. By the time we meet someone in real life, we may have got to know them quite well online. This new landscape has its challenges and its opportunities. So how do we avoid the pitfalls and make the most of what this new reality has to offer?

In dating, everyone you meet comes from a different background. What makes each person unique is their own culture, personality, and upbringing. Your own experiences will shape exactly what you would like in a lifetime partner – and what you want to avoid!

The moment has arrived! With lockdown restrictions gradually being eased around the world, you may finally be able to meet up with someone you’ve been chatting to online. But of course, in many places, we still have to practise social distancing and avoid being inside or in crowds – so it’s time to get creative with your dates.