Qs from a single teen!

@politePlace5370

Hey 🤗

There's no rush at all.

But you will know, trust me, when you have a crush 🥰

Sometimes people don't ask each other out, they are friends first and it just happens naturally.

You do what feels comfortable.

Trust your instincts.

Never allow anyone to pressure you into doing anything you don't want to.

Just enjoy getting to know people 🥰

@politePlace5370

Hi!

So it is okay not to have a clue and I am glad that you are asking! 

So, dating looks different for everyone but I am going to tell you what dating should look like in a safe way. So there should be respect when it comes to dating and communication. There is also a difference between going on dates with people and dating someone. When you go on a date with someone, you are not exclusive with them unless that is communicated, and you might go on a date with someone else. This is called playing the field, especially as you get older and search for Mr. or Mrs. Right. Once you find someone that you want to call your partner, dating looks a bit like a good friendship. There is a solid foundation of trust and respect. 

When someone asks you out, you can say YES but only if you want to and don't feel pressured just because they ask you in front of your friends, their friends, or a crowd in general.

Some relationships are just a friendship with more time together and PDA, yes! 

So asking someone out can simple or it can be complicated, it all depends on how you make it. You can take a deep breath and ask someone directly "would you like to go out with me?" or "Would you like to be my partner?" or even you can mention an event that you know they would be into and ask if they would like to go with you.

So knowing when you like someone.... hmm, personally, I feel that you can tell that you like someone, when you find yourself thinking about them in the middle of night and a lot throughout the day. When you flutter when their name is mentioned or when they say your name. Crushes work in a similar way. A crush is typically also related to the word infatuation. You know you seriously like someone if after three months, you still feel the same way. But again, it depends person to person!  Just take note of how you feel with this particular person compared to your other friends, what's the difference? 

If you decide to get together with someone, the next step is to discuss relationship expectations with them. Relationships mean different things for everyone. Ask your partner if this means you're exclusive, discuss what being in a relationship will look like. Some people settle on a weekly date night or trying to do things together regularly.  

It is also okay that you don't have a lot of experience in this. Many people don't really get involved in things like this in school. It is okay not to have a vague idea. You have been enjoying your childhood. Low-stakes dating sounds like a great idea. It is important to be safe, do not let people pressure you into doing anything that you're not comfortable or ready for. Always tell someone where you are going if you are going out on a date, it does not have to be your parents but it should be someone trusted who can call the police or something if you need it. And also adults do plenty of low-stakes dating, so don't feel like you have to be in a rush to experience this before adulthood. 

Let me know if you have any further questions :)