| How to Make a Treasure Map Posted: 19 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT A treasure map can be useful for many things - school plays, homework, games, or just for a fun activity to do with your kids. Making your own authentic-looking treasure map is easy to do. [Edit]Creating the Design - Think about the kind of map you want to make. It could be a path that uses landmarks, or it could be a verse that includes directions and distances.[1] There could be a game involved with a secret plot. Make sure the start is easy to find, and the treasure is hidden somewhere where it won't be disturbed until the treasure hunters find it.
- Start drawing your map. Use a piece of plain white paper to start. Include the compass so the hunters can get their bearings and any written clues needed by the hunters to find the treasure.
- Note: You can also use a thicker piece of cardstock if you want a more durable map. Or you can use part of a brown paper grocery bag (just make sure you use a piece with no writing on it). [2]
- Draw specific features on your map. Feel free to use different colored inks; you can also use colored pencils, Sharpies, or watercolor paint.[3] The features don't have to be perfect. After all, pirates aren't known as being great artists! Include things like:
- A red X to mark the spot. This is probably the most important feature!
- Landmarks to determine a starting point and a finishing point (the treasure spot), and landmarks to help the hunters find their way in the middle.
- Trees, shrubs, or plants. Trees can be made by a simple vertical line with horizontal lines squiggled on top of it that starts wider at the base and get increasingly smaller toward the top. Make sure to leave a small portion of your vertical line uncovered at the bottom to create the trunk of the tree. You can also make more detailed trees if you want to spend the time.[4]
- Houses or other buildings.
- Mountains or hills.[5]
- Rivers or other bodies of water. You can locate the treasure hunt on an island surrounded by water.[6]
- For a more imaginative look, include some fantasy elements like a sea serpent, some ships, or a castle.
[Edit]Making the Map Look Authentic - Tear the edges off all four sides of the paper. This will make the map look more like a worn treasure map.[7]
- Use a tea bag to make the map look old. Wipe a wet tea bag over both sides of the paper.[8] The map will turn a light brown color. When you finish, the paper should be completely saturated.
- Make the map look worn. Crumple the map into a ball several times to get it good and crumpled. Let it dry overnight in a ball.
- Use cooking oil to make the map feel authentic. Gently open the map, and wipe both sides with cooking oil. Blot off the excess with paper towels. This will make the paper feel slightly crunchy.
- Let the paper dry again. Once it is finished drying, the map should look very old.
[Edit]Using the Map for Fun - Create a scavenger hunt. Include clues and prizes/treasures to entertain your guests.
- This is a great idea for all kinds of events like birthday parties, holiday parties, kids' sleepovers,
- Use it as a document in a play or other performance. Impress the other adults with your crafty skills by volunteering to create the map for your kids' school play or church activity.
- Spend an afternoon having fun with your children. Use the treasure map as a bonding experience for your family.
[Edit]Sample Treasure Map [Edit]Things You'll Need - White paper
- Pen(s) (colored inks, some pencil, crayons)
- Used tea bag
- Paper towel
- Cooking oil
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Use a Napkin with Proper Table Etiquette Posted: 19 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT Proper table manners will help you make a great impression, but what are the rules for napkins? Don't worry—we've got you covered! In our comprehensive guide to napkin etiquette, we'll walk you through everything you need to know, whether you're at a nice restaurant or a formal dinner party. If you're ready to elevate your table manners and impress your dinner mates, read on. [Edit]Pick up the napkin when you sit down. - At a dinner party, pick up your napkin only after your host does. If you're at a restaurant and there's no formal host, pick up the napkin as soon as you're seated at the table and discreetly unfold it. In a dinner party scenario, it's respectful to follow the host's lead.[1]
- Gently unfold the napkin instead of shaking it open with a flourish.
- The napkin will be next to your place setting or on your plate.
[Edit]Remove the napkin ring. - Place the ring at the top left corner of your place setting. Napkin rings are more common in informal settings. Simply slide the ring toward you to slip the napkin out of the ring. Then, put the ring on the table next to the left of your plate.[2]
[Edit]Drape the napkin neatly across your lap. - Cover your lap with the napkin without draping it over your knees. If the napkin is much larger than your lap, fold it in half first. Then, place it in your lap with the folded side facing your body.[3]
- The napkin is there to protect your lap from spills, but don't use it to dust off crumbs or soak up spills on the table or floor.
[Edit]Leave the napkin in your lap during the meal. - The napkin stays in your lap as long as you're seated at the table. When your meal comes, don't tuck the napkin into your collar like a bib.[4] Only pick it up if you need to dab your mouth or excuse yourself from the table.[5]
- Avoid holding the napkin or gesturing with it as you're eating.
[Edit]Blot your mouth discreetly with the napkin. - Use the top half of the napkin to dab at the corners of your mouth.[6] Using the top half (the edge closest to your knees) prevents the soiled part from touching your clothes when you put the napkin back in your lap. Never wipe across your mouth with the napkin since that's considered impolite.[7]
- Blot your mouth before taking a sip of your drink, as well.
- Never spit food into your napkin, especially at a formal dinner.
[Edit]Put the napkin to the left of your plate if you get up. - Excuse yourself if you need to go to the restroom or leave the table. In formal settings, try your best not to leave the table during dinner. Always say, "Excuse me for a moment," before leaving the table. Avoid saying that you're going to the restroom.[8]
- Some restaurants prefer that you put your napkin in the seat of your chair when you're away from the table.[9] When in doubt, keep an eye on other diners or your host to see what they do.[10]
[Edit]Leave the table if you need to blow your nose. - Dinner napkins should only be used around your mouth. Never wipe your face or blow your nose into your dinner napkin. If you need to blow your nose, excuse yourself and do so in the restroom. Avoid cleaning your cutlery with the napkin, as well. If your utensils look dirty, politely ask for another set.[11]
[Edit]Place the napkin to the left of your plate when you're done. - Fold the napkin loosely before placing it on the table. When you're at a restaurant, this is how your server will know you've finished your meal. In a dinner party scenario, leave your napkin in your lap and follow the host's lead.
- Lay your knife and fork side by side, diagonally, on your plate to indicate that you're finished with the meal.[12]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Cook Frozen Broccoli Posted: 19 Jul 2022 01:00 AM PDT Frozen broccoli is a nutritious, cost-effective alternative to fresh broccoli. Since frozen broccoli is already cut, cleaned, and blanched, using it in your meals can also save you time. You can prepare frozen broccoli on a stovetop, in a microwave, or in an oven. [Edit]Reheating Frozen Broccoli on Stovetop - Bring a pot of saltwater to a boil. Fill a pot with with water. Stir in a heaping tablespoon of salt. Place the pot on a burner over high heat. Wait for the saltwater to come to a boil.
- Before broccoli is frozen it is blanched (cooked in boiling water and then placed in an ice bath to stop the cooking process). Since the frozen broccoli is precooked, you only need to reheat the broccoli.[1]
- Heat the frozen broccoli in the boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes. Add the broccoli to the pot of boiling water. Within 2 to 4 minutes, the broccoli will become bright green and tender. At this point, turn off the burner and remove the pan from the heat.[2]
- Strain, season, and serve the broccoli. Retrieve a colander and place it over a sink. Pour the contents of the pan into the colander. Transfer the strained broccoli into a serving dish. Season the reheated broccoli to taste and serve hot.
- Popular seasoning options include: salt, pepper, butter, and garlic salt.[3]
[Edit]Steaming Frozen Broccoli on the Stove Top - Bring a pot of water to a simmer. Cover the bottom of the pot with a few inches of water—the steamer basket or sieve must fit snugly inside the pot and should not touch the water. Place the pot on a burner over medium heat. Allow the water to come to a simmer.
- To check the water level, insert the steamer basket or sieve into the pan before bringing the water to a boil. If the water level is too high, pour out some water.
- You must use at least 1 cup water.[4]
- Fill the steamer basket or sieve with the broccoli. Once the water comes to a simmer, place the steamer insert or sieve over the water. Pour the frozen broccoli into the steamer. Cover the pot with a lid.[5]
- Steam the broccoli until tender. Steam the frozen broccoli for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the lid and use a fork to assess the vegetable's tenderness. If the broccoli is tender, turn off the burner and remove the pot from the heat.
- If the broccoli is not tender, recover the pot and steam for 1 more minute.[6]
- Season and serve the broccoli. Remove the lid and set it to the side. Use hot pads or cooking mitts to take the steamer basket or sieve out of the pot of simmering water. Transfer the broccoli into a serving dish. Season to taste and serve.
- Popular seasoning options include: salt, pepper, olive oil, and/or garlic salt.[7]
[Edit]Steaming Frozen Broccoli in the Microwave - Prepare the broccoli for steaming. Pour approximately ½ pound frozen broccoli into a microwave safe dish. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid.[8]
- If your microwave safe dish does not have a lid, cover it with a microwave safe plate.
- As the water heats up, it will turn into vapor and steam the veggies.
- Microwave the broccoli for 2 minutes, then stir. Place the dish in the microwave. Set the device's power level to HIGH and steam the broccoli for 2 minutes. Once done, remove the dish from the microwave, take off the lid, and stir the vegetables.
- When you uncover the dish, be aware that steam will escape. To protect yourself from the steam, wear oven mitts or use hot pads.[9]
- Microwave the broccoli for 2 additional minutes. Recover the dish and return it to the microwave. Steam the broccoli for 2 additional minutes. Open the door, remove the dish, and check to see if the broccoli is heated through.
- If it is still cold, return the dish to the microwave and steam the broccoli for 1 minute intervals until heated through.[10]
- Strain and serve the broccoli. Grab a colander and place it over a sink. Pour the contents of the dish into a strainer. Once the excess water is removed, transfer the frozen broccoli into a serving dish. Season the broccoli to taste and serve.
- Common seasonings include salt, pepper, and/or butter.[11]
[Edit]Roasting Frozen Broccoli in the Oven - Preheat the oven to 400˚F and prep the baking sheet. After turning on your oven, pull out a baking sheet and a roll of parchment paper. Tear off a sheet of parchment paper the size of the baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Instead of parchment paper, you may cover the pan with non-stick cooking spray.[12]
- Toss the frozen broccoli in oil and seasoning. Once the oven is preheated, place ½ pound frozen broccoli into a mixing bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the frozen florets and season to taste. Use a spoon to toss the broccoli in the oil and seasoning. Spread the contents of the bowl—including the excess oil—onto the baking sheet.
- Seasoning options include: salt, pepper, garlic, and/or garlic salt.[13]
- Roast the broccoli for 20 minutes then flip. Place the broccoli in the oven and set a timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Use a spatula to turn the broccoli.
- As you flip the broccoli, do your best to redistribute the excess oil and seasonings as well.[14]
- Return the broccoli to the oven to brown. Reinsert the pan into the oven and set a timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, assess the broccoli's color. If the broccoli has minor brown batches, remove it from the oven and serve hot.
- If the broccoli hasn't browned, return the pan to the oven. Monitor the broccoli to ensure that it does not burn. Once it is speckled with brown spots, remove the pan from the oven and serve hot.[15]
- Keep your broccoli frozen until you are ready to use it.
[Edit]Warnings - When microwaving broccoli, the dish used tends to become very hot. Use caution when removing dish from microwave.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Reheating Frozen Broccoli on Stovetop - Frozen broccoli
- Water
- Pot with lid
- Colander
- Salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and/or garlic powder
[Edit]Steaming Frozen Broccoli on the Stove Top - Frozen broccoli
- Water
- Pot with lid
- Steamer basket or sieve
- Colander
- Fork
- Salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and/or garlic powder
[Edit]Steaming Frozen Broccoli in the Microwave - Frozen broccoli
- Water
- Microwave-safe dish with lid
- Oven mitts or hot pads
- Spoon
- Colander
- Salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and/or garlic powder
[Edit]Roasting Frozen Broccoli in the Oven - Frozen broccoli
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic, butter, and/or garlic powder
- Baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Spoon
- Parchment paper or nonstick cooking spray
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Become a More Social Person Posted: 18 Jul 2022 05:00 PM PDT While socializing is generally considered a pleasant, leisurely activity, various commitments and anxieties can drain the enjoyment out of your social life and make it harder to interact with others. Tackling issues with self-esteem, rejection and other reservations can help increase your desire to socialize while improving the way you communicate with others, and taking advantage of mutual friends or similar social opportunities can help you become a more social person overall. [Edit]Tackling Your Reservations - Pay attention to your insecurities. Everybody feels shy or insecure from time to time, but if you feel inhibited by your shyness, it is probably because you have been telling yourself you are somehow inadequate. These feelings of inadequacy are reinforced on a daily basis by the negative things you constantly tell yourself. Learn to pay attention to negative thoughts and distinguish the rational thoughts from irrational ones.[1]
- Do you constantly tell yourself you're unattractive? Do you tell yourself you're boring? That you're weird? Irresponsible? Negative thoughts like these are what keep you from feeling confident enough to be a social person. More importantly, they keep you from living a fulfilling life.
- Until you've addressed your insecurities and told yourself you're a worthy person, you won't be able to truly socialize.
- Sometimes we get so accustomed to these negative thoughts that we no longer notice them. Start paying attention to the kinds of thoughts you are having.
- Learn to cope with your negative thoughts. Once you have learned to recognize when you are having a negative thought, you can slowly train yourself to silence these thoughts so that they no longer inhibit your life.[2] When you catch yourself having a negative thought, try one of the following exercises:
- First, acknowledge that the thought is there. Now, close your eyes, and visualize the thought in your mind's eye. Label it as a "negative" thought, and then let it slowly dissolve until it disappears completely.
- Turn a negative thought into a constructive one. Let's say you're overweight, for example. Instead of constantly telling yourself "I'm fat," tell yourself "I'd like to lose weight and get healthy so that I'll have more energy and feel more attractive." This way, you can turn a negative thought into a positive goal for the future.[3]
- For every negative thought, think of three positive thoughts.
- Being a positive person will also make it much easier for you to socialize and make friends. Nobody wants to be friends with a Negative Nancy.
- Make a list of your positive qualities. Unfortunately, we spend so much time trying to improve ourselves that we forget to acknowledge our accomplishments, our talents, and our good nature. Talk to people you trust to find out what they think your most positive traits are. Then, ask yourself the following questions to help get your list started:
- What have you done in the past year that you are proud of?
- What is your proudest accomplishment of all time?
- What unique talents do you have?
- What do people tend to compliment you on?
- What positive impact have you made on other peoples' lives?
- Stop comparing yourself to others. Part of the reason why people struggle with insecurity is that they compare their own "low" points with other peoples' "high" points. In other words, they compare the negative qualities of their own lives with the positive qualities of other peoples' lives.
- Keep in mind that behind closed doors, everybody experiences pain or suffering from time to time. If you find yourself wondering why certain people seem happier than you, remind yourself that happiness has little to do with external circumstances, and everything to do with attitude.
- Consider turning off or taking a break from social media. Social media sites can inhibit your will to go out and be social in person. They also encourage you to compare your day-to-day life with the filtered and edited high points of others, which may lead to depression.[4]
- Remember that you're not the center of the universe. Ironically, people who feel invisible and insecure also tend to feel like they are constantly being watched, criticized and laughed at. While you are certainly not invisible, it is irrational to think that strangers are constantly staring at you and waiting for you to mess up. People are so involved with their own lives that they have little time to notice if you do or say something embarrassing. Even if they do notice, they will likely forget the incident within an hour or two, while you may hold on to it for years.
- Letting go of the feeling that you are constantly being watched and judged will help you learn to ease up and relax around other people, making socializing much more pleasant.
- Get over the fact that everyone is always staring at you or judging you. Like you, they are more concerned about themselves than the people around them.
- Get over your fear of rejection. So, the worst thing that can happen is...you meet someone, and that person doesn't want to hang out with you again. Is that unpleasant? Sure. The end of the world? Absolutely not. Most of the time, this definitely will not happen. If you think that most people will reject you and are afraid of socializing because of it, then you'll be missing out on meeting a lot of amazing people.[5]
- Know that you're not going to hit it off with everybody, or even most people. But think about all of the amazing relationships you can form if you just put yourself out there more.
- Practice saying, "So what?" when you're afraid. Then, really think about what would happen if your fear came true. This will help you question the reality of the scenarios that overcome you.
[Edit]Interacting with Others - Smile. Everybody wants to be around people who are happy and excited about life. Even if you don't feel happy all the time, force yourself to put a smile on your face from time to time. Not only will it instantly make you feel better, but it will also make other people want to be around you, talk to you, and get to know you.
- Smiling is especially important if you are trying to attract a person because it shows that you are a positive person who is worth meeting.
- Smiling may also encourage your body to release dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, all of which can help lift your mood and make it easier for you to interact with others.[6]
- Have welcoming body language. If you are at a party or other social gathering, make sure your body language says that you want to be approached. Make eye contact with people, give them a small wave or a nod, and look in front of you instead of at your feet or the floor. Look happy and ready to talk to other people so that they are more likely to come up to you.
- Avoid crossing your arms, frowning, or standing in the corner. These gestures send the message that you want to be left alone, and guess what? People will leave you alone.
- Put your phone away. If you look busy, people won't want to interrupt you. Your body language should say that you are ready to mingle.
- Be genuine. Whether you are talking to an old friend or somebody you have just met for the first time, you should always show genuine interest in the conversation. Being fully engaged not only shows that you are compassionate, but it also makes for more stimulating and fulfilling interactions with others.
- Don't try to tell people what they want to hear or what you think will make them like you more. Just be yourself.
- Avoid texting or talking on the phone when you are in the middle of a conversation, especially if the subject matter is important.
- Keep conversations balanced. Don't constantly talk about yourself, because this comes across as narcissistic. At the same time, being too quiet shows that you are uninterested in the conversation.
- Ask people questions about themselves. Let's face it. People love talking about themselves. And if you want to be more social and to start talking to people more, then you should show a genuine interest in people by asking how their day is going, how they're feeling, and what they have coming up. This doesn't mean you should pry or be really nosy about what they're doing and ask super personal questions. Just show that you care by asking them to open up a bit and wait for them to get you talking in turn.
- As people respond, practice active listening with them. Give them your full attention, and practice repeating back key points. Showing others you are paying attention when they speak is just as important as asking questions.
- Be more open-minded. One of the reasons you may not be an extra social person is because you're convinced that any person you meet has nothing in common with you. Maybe you think the person is too stupid, way too cool, or too shy to really be your friend, but if you're more open-minded and give people time to open up to you, you'll see that you may have more in common than you think.
- Don't just give up on a person as a potential friend after one okay conversation. Talk to the person a few more times to get a better read on his or her personality.
[Edit]Expanding Your Social Circle - Offer invitations. If you're the type of person who always waits around for your friends to call without reciprocating, then you are not doing your part. Remember that your friends don't always know when you are expecting them to call, and they may take your shyness as disinterest in the friendship. If you'd like to see somebody, then reach out to them.
- Call old friends that you haven't seen in awhile and set up a time to get together.
- Throw a dinner party or other gathering and invite all of your friends, coworkers, and acquaintances.
- Invite a friend to the movies, a baseball game, a concert, or other activity.
- Accept more invitations too. If people are always asking you to hang out, or even if the occasional unlikely person asks you to hang out, you should start taking their invitations seriously instead of turning them down. Don't say that you can't hang out just because you're feeling too shy or don't think you'll click with the other person; instead, think of all the other cool people you can meet at the event you've been invited to, whether it's a party, a sleepover, or a book club.
- Make a habit of saying yes three times for every one time you say no. This doesn't mean you have to say yes to something that sounds absolutely horrible, but accepting more invitations to spend time with your friend shows a genuine interest in the friendship and makes you a friendlier and more outgoing person. If you reject every invitation, your friend will likely think you are ditching him or her and not interested in spending time together.
- Join a club or group with like-minded individuals. If you want to make new friends, you will have to look beyond the people you see daily at work or school. If you have a hobby or special interest, then join a local club or group in your area devoted to that activity.
- Consider joining a local sports league, book club, hiking group, or cycling team.
- If you don't have a hobby, then pick up a new one. Be sure to choose something that you can do with groups of people. Look at sites like Meetup.com to help you connect with groups of people who share your interests.
- Meet mutual friends. Meeting friends of friends is one of the easiest ways to meet new people. Try to view each and every person you meet in your life as a "doorway" or "portal" into a new social circle.
- Consider throwing a party and telling all of your friends to bring guests. As a plus, you already know that you have some things in common with these people since you share a mutual friend.
- If a friend of yours invites you to a party or a big gathering where you don't know anybody, accept the invitation. Though it might seem intimidating, it is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people.
- Don't compartmentalize your life. Try not to view your "work-life" as being separate from your "social life" as being separate from your "family life," and so on. While each of these different areas of your life certainly calls for different behavior and codes of conduct, the best way to be more social by nature is to live your life as a social creature, regardless of the environment. In other words, don't save all your socializing for parties on the weekends.
- Look for unique opportunities to be social. It can be as simple as asking the bank teller how he or she is doing rather than just staring at your phone and avoiding contact. Remember, socializing is a skill and every opportunity is a chance to practice.[7]
- Get to know your coworkers or peers if you haven't already.
- Attend social events with family members. Though this might not sound like fun, you'd be surprised to learn that you can make new friends wherever you go, as long as you have the right attitude.
- Make your social life a priority. No matter how much you have going on, if you want to be more social, you have to set a goal of hanging out with others at least a few times a week. Though everyone needs some alone time or goes through a very stressful week, or even a stressful month, now and again, nobody should go two weeks without socializing except in extreme circumstances.
- Tell yourself that no matter how tired or anti-social you may feel that you should put yourself out there no matter what.
[Edit]Sample Activities, Ways to Introduce Yourself, and Conversation Topics - If you feel like you constantly need to have your guard up around others, it could be the result of some deeper emotions that you haven't fully worked through. Don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for help navigating these.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Transition from Dating to Relationship Posted: 18 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT If you're really clicking with the person you've been seeing and you feel like it might be time to make things more official, you might be wondering how exactly to go about doing it. Don't worry—every couple goes through this transitional period at some point, and we're here to help you navigate it! Below you'll find tips on how to turn your casual romance into a more serious relationship, without it feeling forced. Plus we've included some advice on how to tell if you and your partner are ready. [Edit]Making the Transition - Spend more time together. When you are in a relationship, you will be spending more time together than you did when you were just dating. This means you need to make time for each other in your weekly schedule so you can enjoy your new relationship. Your time together doesn't need to be elaborate or extremely thought out. A relationship means you can do everyday things together as well, like making dinner in and watching a movie on your couch.[1]
- This doesn't mean you should be at your partner's beck and call. Keep a little mystery in your relationship. Don't agree to every date your partner sets. Instead, switch it up and keep your partner wanting more.[2]
- Call just to talk. When you are in a relationship, you want hear from your partner more often. This means that you may call your partner just to talk. When you are dating, you likely only called if you were trying to set up a date and time to meet. When you transition over to a relationship, you will likely talk much more.
- This doesn't mean you have to be on the phone all the time. It just means that there are times when you want to hear your partner's voice.
- You may also text or message each other more as well.[3]
- Focus more attention on your partner. In your fast paced world of cell phones, social media, and busy schedules, you may be distracted a lot. When you start a relationship, try to focus more of your attention on your partner. This means you should put your cell phone down and stop texting while you are with your partner.
- This will let your partner know that you are in the moment and want to be as present as possible. This will help make your relationship stronger and last longer. [4]
- Do new things together. When you enter into a relationship, try new and exciting things together. Go for a long hike in the forest. Take up mountain biking together. Go out dancing in the city. Take a trip across the country together. The great thing about changing to a relationship is that you have another person to do exciting things with.
- Compromise on what your activities will be. Relationships are a two way street, where each of your opinions matter equal amounts.[5][6]
- Meet each other's family. When you enter into a relationship, you may want to introduce your partner to your family. If you are close with your family, consider having them over for dinner and introduce your partner to them. This will let your partner know that you care about them enough to meet your family and will also allow your family to get to know who you are in a relationship with.
- Your partner may also want to introduce you to your partner's family. Just be yourself and you'll be fine.
- If you are not close to your family, you don't have to worry about this step. It only matters if your family is important to you.
- Tell your friends. When you are changing over to a relationship, you will want to tell those closest to you. Once you and your partner are an official couple, you should tell your friends. Go to group hang outs as an official couple and tell people that you are in a relationship.
- This doesn't have to be a formal thing, just make it obvious that you and your partner are together.[7]
- Keep your own interests. Being in a relationship does not mean that you have to like all the same things. You can do things with your partner you might not necessarily want to do as a compromise, you remember you are your own person too. Foster your own interests and let your partner do the same. This will make you both happier and give you something new to talk about when you are together.
- For example. if you don't want to watch football with your partner and instead want to go to the gym, go to the gym. Your partner will be there when you get back.[8]
[Edit]Knowing if You're Ready - Be ready for a commitment. When you enter into a relationship, your dating life will become exclusive to that person. This means you will stop dating other people and only see the person you are in the relationship with. Before you decide to be in a relationship, you need to make sure you are at this point.
- If you are still interested in dating other people, you are not ready for a committed relationship to one person.[9]
- Assess how you feel around him. When you are thinking about being more serious with your dating partner, you need to make sure he is the right one for you and that it is something that you want. You want to make sure your partner is making your life better and that you will thrive in a new relationship. Ask yourself:
- Do I feel better when I'm around my partner?
- Do I enjoy our time together?
- Do I leave our dates feeling better about myself?
- Do I feel respected?[10]
- Look at your own life. Even though you may really want to be in a relationship, you need to make sure that you are at a good point in your own life to start a relationship.[11] Relationships take up much more time than just casually dating. You will have to make more time to be around your partner and be available when you are needed. This may be difficult in certain circumstances.
- Decide if you have extra time in your week to spend with your partner. If you work 50 to 60 hours a week and barely have time to go on the dates you do, moving forward into a relationship may not be the right move.
- If you really want to get into a relationship but you are busy, you may need to make time for a relationship if it is important to you.[12]
- Figure out how you feel around your partner. You need to make sure you actually enjoy spending time with your partner before you move from dating to a relationship. Do you feel comfortable around your partner and feel you can be yourself? If you don't, then you may not be ready for a relationship.
- Many of the best relationships feel as if you are with your best friend in addition to being with your partner.
- If you find yourself wanting to be alone or away from him for long periods of time, you may not be ready to go to the next step.[13]
[Edit]Determining if Your Relationship is Ready - Assess the state of your relationship. You need to make sure your relationship is in the right place before you go from dating to a committed relationship. You need to decide if the two of you are ready to go to this next step. There are some criteria that you can look at to see if you are ready for the next step. Questions you can ask yourself are:
- Do we hang out on a frequent basis (more than once a week)?
- Do we talk to one another outside of our dates?
- Do you both initiate conversations and dates?
- Do we enjoy being around each other when we are together?
- Have you met one another's friends?[14]
- Talk to your partner. Communication is key to any relationship. Before you make the transition between dating to a relationship, you need to discuss some things with your partner about where the dating is going, if your partner wants to change the status of your interactions as well, and if your partner is ready for the next step.
- Try to avoid having a ''talk'', meaning you should try to bring it up lightly or at a comfortable moment. Don't bombard your partner with a "Where are we going?" speech.
- You should also ask what your partner expects out of a relationship so you know if you fulfill the requirements.[15]
- Look for signs you are already in a relationship. Sometimes, being in a relationship can sneak up on you without realizing it. This is common if you are comfortable with your partner and just haven't verbalized it yet. If this is the case, you just need to tell your partner that you want to make things official. Some signs that you are already in a relationship are:
- You date each other exclusively
- You spend every weekend together without having to ask
- Your partner has seen you at your best and worst
- You've fought and made it through to the other side
- You've talked honestly about your exes
- You're really good friends with each other's friends
- You stay in more often than you go out on dates[16]
- Do it for the right reasons. There are many reasons to want to start being in an official relationship with your partner. Feeling ready for the next step, wanting to be with the other person more, and wanting to connect with the other person are common reasons people being a relationship.
- You should not begin a relationship, however, if you are feeling pressured into by your partner or because all your friends are doing it.
- Also never enter into a relationship to save things between you and your partner.
- If you move to this step too early, you may end up ruining your relationship.[17]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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