The morning after the night before

On Sunday night I had a date. My first date in nearly four years. You’d think then that I would have been nervous, but when it came to it, I really wasn’t.

I’m not going to say anything bad about my date – he wasn’t a hairy mole twiddler or anything, just a perfectly nice, ordinary man. What I wanted to talk about instead was how waiting at the pub at 8pm on Sunday, I realised how much I have changed in the last few years, since the last time I tried my hand at dating.

People are always saying that confidence in just an act, that if you are nervous about talking to new people, all you have to do is pretend not to be, and no one will ever know the difference. Well, it seems that over the last few years I’ve had a lot of practice at chatting to strangers – networking at blogging conferences, hosting workshops, delivering training, allowing my brains to be picked numerous times over coffee and cake – and it has paid off. Turns out I am pretty awesome at it.*

Coffee

Now I’m not saying I was a dream date, but I wasn’t scared at all and like to think I contributed to us both enjoying a very pleasant evening, regardless of whether or not there was any romantic spark. I asked questions, maintained eye contact and tried not to be too boastful (apart from during the ten minutes after my one and only glass of wine when it went to my head a little and I somehow dropped my degree prize into the conversation.**)

The date then, although not tummy churning, was a hugely positive experience and left me feeling good about myself not least because I felt we had been able to put each other at ease and enjoy an evening that wasn’t as awkward as a first date can often be. My confidence was further boosted in the morning when at 8am he sent me a text.

“You are quite an inspirational person,” he said. “Your drive and fearlessness of the unknown and willingness to take a chance is pretty amazing.”

I had the biggest smile on my face. Where I might see the choices I have made in my life as a little foolish and flighty, pretend hard enough and people will believe anything.

*And oh so modest.

**You see? Modest.

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8 Comments

  1. 21 July, 2014 / 5:30 pm

    Really glad it was so positive! I always found this part of dating quite exciting – I really love to meet new and interesting people and i think it’s great to discover someone’s story. Too bad most of mine were mole twiddlers ;)

    (not really. But one was particularly overenthusiastic about his allotment)

  2. 21 July, 2014 / 5:50 pm

    Always lovely when a first date goes well and gives you a boost! Have to agree with the confidence thing! Glad you had a good time :) x

  3. 21 July, 2014 / 7:45 pm

    I’m really glad it went well, and he was obviously very astute because he was absolutely right about you!

  4. Eleanor Weeks-Bell
    21 July, 2014 / 10:32 pm

    What a lovely text message to receive! And of course he’s right. Glad it went well. X

  5. 22 July, 2014 / 10:50 am

    That’s awesome Jo! You know I know only too well the pitfalls and ‘challenges’ of dating but sometimes, even if there’s no romantic spark, something good can come of it … what a lovely text for him to send. Well done for getting back out there x

  6. 22 July, 2014 / 12:17 pm

    Hey, if a first date can result in a message like that then no matter where it goes it was a major success! Half the trouble with dating seems to be dates where you don’t want to leave after 10 minutes. Keep being brave lovely lady x

  7. 22 July, 2014 / 5:52 pm

    Well done and yes you are inspirational xx

  8. 6 July, 2015 / 8:15 pm

    Yay! I’m so glad it was a positive experience and that you got such a great text the following day! I’ve not been on a date since 2009 and I’ve been single for 3yrs. I have no idea how I’d cope!

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