I’m guessing you’re wondering what that means.

And no, it’s not another way of saying ‘are you DTF’.

Are you down for love?

Or, more specifically, are you Dating for Love?

Some people date for fun, some for validation, some in the hope of sex, and some for the free meals.

Still others date to keep their nagging friends or parents happy.

Those dating for love are different, because they’re genuinely seeking a connection that could lead to a loving (and maybe even long-term) relationship.

If you are single and dating for love, you’re probably sick of the superficial and deceptive behaviour that so often accompanies online dating.

You likely struggle to motivate yourself to get back out there, and find ‘the one’ amidst a minefield of bad dates, crazy people and rejection.

That’s because most people you meet when DFL are actually looking for something else.

There’s no hard and fast rule, but at around 25, many women (and some men) begin changing their priorities when it comes to a desired relationship.

Our late teens and early 20’s are typically a time of experimentation for relationships, and rightly so.

It’s the perfect time to find out what you like – and don’t like – about potential partners.

By our late 20’s, many people have explored different kinds of relationships and are ready to go not broader, but deeper.

At some point, most people decide they’re ready to date for love.

When you know you’re dating for love, you can immediately filter out dates who are expressly looking for something else.

For example, “Just looking for something casual” is not DFL. It’s almost certainly not worth trying to convince them to change their minds, either.

Dating for love is more like: “I don’t want to rush into anything – I’m wanting to find the right person for me”.

Now, just because you meet someone who is DFL doesn’t mean they’re automatically the right person for you.

But at least you know you’re on the right track.

So, what should you do if you’re dating for love?

Successfully dating for love requires a different strategy than for hook-ups or casual flings.

After all, finding a life partner could well be the biggest decision of your life.

There are many important things to consider when evaluating a potential life-partner. 

They will also be evaluating you to make sure you match their standards – at least if they’re worth their weight in salt.

What should you look for in a life-partner?

There are many things to consider, but ultimately it comes down to: 

• Do they have the relationship skills, healthy behaviours and genuine interest in you that make them appealing as a long-term partner?

If yes to all of the above – hooray – you’ve found yourself a high quality partner!

But it can take more than a few dates to truly find out all the above.

And when you break down ‘relationship skills’ into parts, you’d be surprised at how much there is.

This is what we’re committed to sharing with you here at Dating for Love.

Our coaching and online courses are based around teaching the key dating and relationship skills – and how to identify a high quality partner along the way.

Click here to find out more.