I’m 26 years old. I didn’t really start dating until I was 20. But in the past six years, I’ve had a fair amount of strange experiences. I’ve dated a couple guys who haven’t wanted to hurt me, so they’ve just waited things out till I break up with them. I dated a guy who prophesied over our waitress at a huge restaurant (a prophesy that ended up not coming to fruition). I was given a heads up that one breakup was coming via Twitter. And I was told my standard winter outfit of jeans and a Northface fleece didn’t make me pretty. Ha. And I can honestly say I’m not bitter about these things. Now I look back at them and chuckle (or chortle…even snicker, if you will). But this six year long stretch has made me realize that I simply don’t know how to date.

I don’t know what kind of person to look for. I feel like I know what *not* to look for…but that knowledge hasn’t gotten me very far in the past. So I just feel stuck. Not sure that I’m up for getting into yet another dating relationship (should one present itself).

Now I completely understand all the cliches…and believe them to be true. Every door closes until one stays open, you meet a lot of frogs before you meet your prince, so on and so forth. But in the meantime, how does one figure out just HOW to date. HOW to choose a person that will treat you like a human being, even when things aren’t working out. HOW to know when to keep things light and casual, and when to open yourself up a little bit more.

Sigh.

I know it’s part of the process. But I think I need a life coach for this. So it’s on this year’s Christmas list. Anyone? Dating life coach?