Relationships
Here’s How To Have A Love Life Even When Your Life Gets Super Busy

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It's easy to feel like the pressures of everyday life make you feel like you're too busy to date. When work gets busier and your responsibilities grow, all you want to do is go home and cozy up to The Office and a pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. First of all, same. But the good news is, it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to say goodbye to romance because your life is otherwise full.

"You do not need to sacrifice your love life if you're busy," Erica Gordon, millennial dating expert, founder of The Babe Report, and author of Aren't You Glad You Read This? assures Elite Daily. "The truth is that, if you date the right type of person, it can work out even if you're extremely busy." But what does that actually mean? "The right person will encourage you to hustle, and won't come down on you for not being available enough. A very secure person with the ability to trust will be able to trust in your relationship even if you don't have a ton of time for them," explains Gordon. The only problem is, how do you even meet someone like that when you're pressed for time? Here is how the experts say you can still have a dating life when every other part of your life feels overloaded.

Be Open To Meeting New People Everywhere You Go.
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If you simply don't have time that can be carved out for going on dates and meeting people, then try multitasking in your everyday life. That's what Lisa Concepcion, certified dating and relationship expert and founder of LoveQuest Coaching, tells Elite Daily. “These days, people think that the only place they can meet people is on a Friday or Saturday between 8 p.m. and midnight. This is a limiting belief that leads people into isolation. They feel pressured to go out and like a loser when they opt to stay in. They get the FOMO,” says Concepcion. “The answer, shift the mindset to being open to the possibility of meeting someone everywhere you go.” You never know if your soulmate works on another floor of your office building.

Having The Right Energy Can Really Attract People.

The key to meeting people is to have open energy, Concepcion says. “If you're on line at the bank looking at your phone, you're in a closed energy. If you're talking to the person in front of you, showing them a picture of your dog and seeing theirs and having a nice neighborly conversation, your energy is open. It sends the message to the universe. ‘I like people. I am open to meeting great people,’” she explains. “Go where you feel called to go. Remove any attachment to the outcome of meeting someone and live a great life. Then you'll be a magnet for meeting people.”

Be Selective Of Who Gets Your Time.

If your time is valuable to you, treat it that way, as Stef Safran, matchmaker and founder of Stef And The City, tells Elite Daily. “Sometimes it's best not to make dating a numbers game! Do better screening of your potential dates before going out with them. There's no reason not to talk on the phone or to make sure that you are comfortable with the type of date you are going on,” she suggests. If you don't have a lot of free time to spare, it might also be a good idea to plan shorter dates. Being honest about your needs isn’t just a way to help balance your personal life, but also helps you have better outcomes with the dates you go on, says Safran. “Recognizing your needs is important so that you are at your best when you make that first impression,” she advises.

Be Clear About Your Busy Schedule With Your Date.
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If you meet someone and the date goes well, you might want to make it clear to them just how busy your life really is, says Gordon. That way, they can have realistic expectations for how much of your time and energy is available to them. But when should you tell them? “On a first date,” says Gordon. “That's the best time to be honest about how busy you are, and see if that is alright with them. Be upfront about how often you can see them, and see what they say. A first date is a great opportunity to have an honest conversation about what you can offer,” she explains.

While dating and having a love life when your life is busy isn’t always easy, it is possible. You don’t have to sacrifice romance if you don't want to. It’s all a matter of working smarter, not harder.

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