Conscious dating means intentionally seeking a partner who aligns with your values, goals, and life vision while you continue to grow as a whole person outside the relationship.

• Dating yourself first and building a strong foundation of self-love before seeking a relationship
• Creating your "ice cream sundae" of life with a relationship as just the sprinkles on top
• Ensuring financial independence and strong social connections as protection against toxic relationships
• Identifying your core values, passions, and non-negotiables before entering the dating scene
• Recognizing red flags like love-bombing, extreme views about family members, and disrespect toward others
• Looking for green flags such as self-awareness, respect for your autonomy, and healthy communication
• Giving relationships at least three months to develop before making serious emotional commitments
• Dating apps can provide practice in identifying compatible qualities, but meeting organically often yields better results
• Being clear about boundaries and willing to walk away when your standards aren't met

Listen to Part 2 of this conversation where we'll dive deeper into conscious dating and how to move toward conscious commitment.

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Disclaimer: And Still We Rise is meant to provide perspective and meaningful conversations around mental health topics. It is not meant to provide specific therapeutic advise to individuals. If anything in these podcasts resonates, ASWR recommends consulting with your individual therapist or seeking a referral from your primary care physician.