A GUIDE TO HEALTHY DATING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

there has never been an authority on the subject of love. we all at some point in our relationships with people we care about, even family, have felt the hurt this sentimental feeling exposes us to. in my short live so far, i have seen people respond to this hurt by vowing not to ever love again. only for them to fall right back in with someone else and in some instances with the same person that caused the hurt initially. personally, i've been in more than one relationship with someone i felt was the one.
since the fact has been established that by virtue of our nature as humans we will always be susceptible to emotional dependence on another, we have to figure out a way to make it last or atleast choose the right other we will be emotionally entangled with. most have failed whilst the few that have succeeded have done so subconsciously.
being a conscious mind, i have thought up these tips i hope will help if not everybody, one person. this is not an assurance that you will find true love but they are logical guides to avoid hurt in your pursuits of love and happiness, enjoy.
#1) look for honesty: lies hurt more than the truth we try to conceal by telling them. a relationship founded on truth and honesty allows for the development of understanding but above all it allows either party know where they stand with the other.
#2) discard stereotypes: it is essential that you enter into a relationship with an open mind as stereotyping might cloud your sense of judgment and impair the way you see things in the other.
#3) play your role right and protect yourself: it is true that love entails giving, but compromising your principles and point of view to placate the other's needs will only reflect your desperation to please. a character trait that indicates you have no respect for yourself, trust me the other won't have any for you either. this is not to say that there are no situations when a bit of compromise is required from either party, not just you.
#4) avoid using the L word unless you mean it: be sure of what you are into before prophesing your love as letting another know you love them so much will not necessarily make them love you as much or at all in return
#5) look for intellect as well as beauty: people naturally have respect for and look forward to interactions with others that have something to offer, i am not talking materially here. emphasizing on the beauty might seem shallow to you but truthfully, how can you be attracted to something or someone that is not pleasing to your eyes. physical attraction usually is the first point that pricks your interest in a stranger
#6) avoid extremes: too much of everything is not good. too much attention, too much calls, too much demands, etc and the whole arrangement starts to seem like a burden
#7) observe dating patterns: please do not let emotions and sentiments cloud your logic. regardless of the fact that there is no authority on the subject of love, how we feel or rather how the other makes you feel is a clear indication of how they value you. if making you feel not good is becoming rampant, you should call some time on the arrangement to set priorities right. this is not to say that you should start breaking up at every flimsy provocation
#8) don't over spend to impress: a simple question should explain this. would you rather be loved for being yourself or for what you have to offer?
#9) safe sex: i am not promoting the notion of premarital sex but we as humans are slave to feel and sometimes can't battle the urge to indulge. practicing safe sex guaranties that there wont be complications in the event that the relationship doesn't work. trust me complications is what you want to avoid
#10) have a good time: when a relationship comes to an end, all you have is memories. love and live life to the fullest. bear in mind that moderation is the key to having a good time