DATE DOCTOR’S VERDICT

Fear is a powerful emotion, and the dread of putting ourselves out there can prevent us from meeting someone who could change our lives. Dating Doctor alana Kirk looks at how we can get over anxieties and dare to date again. FOR many people, the fear of dating can be up there with hand-feeding a lion or performing naked on stage. Dating anxiety is normal, as any situation where you feel vulnerable and exposed is difficult.

You open yourself up to scrutiny with new people, and fear you’ll embarrass yourself. Awkward conversations, being stood up and spilling soup down your front are just some of our worries.

But the thing to remember is that not only is your date probably feeling the same anxiety, they are also more likely to be focused on their own behaviour than scrutinising yours. Being afraid to date is valid, but surely fear of spending the rest of your life alone is worse.

The thing to remember is you have nothing to lose: even if the date is a disaster, it will teach you something for the next one — be that about your own behaviour or the kind of person you want to date. You live and learn, and you date and learn.

The only way dating will become easier is to keep doing it. Daring to date again is not for the faint-hearted, but where is the fun in that?