People starting to date in their 20s may have different ideas of what dating and romantic relationships should look like for them. You may be playing the field and having fun or actively searching for the person or people you want to spend your life with or have serious relationships with. Below are a few tips for dating in your 20s. Some people enter casual relationships based on sexual attraction.
These relationships may be referred to as "friends with benefits. One person may have feelings for the other and settle for a friend-with-benefits dynamic to try to convince them to feel the same. If you're looking for a long-term relationship, connecting with people only interested in casual connections may be unhealthy for you. Even if they change their mind, they may not feel the same way for you, which could lead to painful emotions due to unrequited love.
If you find that having casual sex fits your lifestyle and that you won't form romantic feelings for someone you hook up with, having fun and enjoying this dynamic may be beneficial as long as there is mutual consent. However, stay safe and use contraception with new people. You may also consider getting regularly tested for STIs to keep yourself and your partners safe. Consult your doctor to learn more about PREP. When dating, give yourself time to decide what you want. Many people in their 20s don't immediately know what they're looking for.
You can let others know you want to see how relationships go before committing to them. If they're looking for a similar dynamic, you can go on a few dates and see what connections you desire, ensuring that these early meetings don't break your resolve or rush you into commitments.
Try not to be pressured to have children, get married, or live with someone if you're not ready to. When dating in your 30s, you might start solidifying what you're looking for. In your 20s, you may have had a more idealistic idea of love or may not have been ready for a serious relationship.
