THE SMART WOMAN’S DATING GUIDE

Joanna Coles, Hearst’s Chief Content Officer, Snapchat board member and author of Love Rules, gives her best advice for finding love in 2018

TREAT YOUR LOVE LIFE LIKE YOUR CAREER

‘We like to think we’ll meet someone and just “know” they’re the right person. For a lot of us, it won’t happen like that. You wouldn’t leave your career to chance. Finding a good relationship means paying attention to who you’re dating and how they make you feel.’

LOWER THE PRESSURE

‘Apps like Tinder and Bumble mean that it has never been easier to set up dates. Take advantage of this and set up multiple dates at a time. If you need to reduce the pressure, remind yourself that even if this date doesn’t lead to the next, you’re expanding your social network.’

STALK WITH IMPUNITY

‘We think sending between 250-1,000 texts is a substitute for those three dates in a bar. It’s not. The online conversation you’ve had may not accurately reflect who they are. It’s easy to have a false persona online, so cross-reference with Facebook and look for friends you have in common.’

DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP FOR WANTING A PARTNER

‘There is often this judgement that it’s somehow retro to want to find someone and be in a partnership. Of course it’s not the only solution for a happy life, but relationships are one of life’s biggest joys and it’s okay to want that.’

LEARN FROM THE BEST

‘Look for relationship role models: couples whose partnership you admire. Ask them when they knew that they’d be together forever. Were there ever any moments when they thought they might not make it? Understanding others’ messy times makes you less afraid of your own.’