Dating Tips: How to Find Your Type

What is my “type”? Obviously, he is smart, funny, and cute. But who doesn’t have this type?

Seems that for those of us that are seriously looking for a mate, then we should dig deep and determine what it is that will make us happy long term. These are some suggestions to get you there.

Personality tests. Insight into what makes you tick can be found in any one of dozens of personality tests available. An online search will turn up tests like Myers-Briggs that are geared toward career options, but will certainly help you analyze yourself and what you need to be happy in a relationship too.

Make a pros/cons list of all your ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends. This isn’t an exercise in self-destruction. You shouldn’t try to re-live all your past traumas, but it is important to learn from your experiences. Think back on the qualities of the person or the relationship that you liked and disliked the most. Use your history to seek out what you know will work.

Find your fantasy love affair. AOL Personals has taken some of its members’ profiles and categorized them by celebs they are similar to. If you like Matthew McConaughey, Patrick Dempsey, or Katie Holmes, for example, try it out just for fun.

Values. Only accept a date with someone who shares your values. This is the key to a long-lasting relationship. Identify your fundamental beliefs and priorities so that you don’t end up with a partner that may expect you to compromise those things later. Whether it’s a career, faith, geographic location, or children, decide what is most important to you.

Shop around online. For the picky single, online dating sites are a gift. Sites like EliteMate.com, and Singlesnet.com are a few sites worth browsing. There may be qualities about someone that you didn’t think about before and realize you would enjoy. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide you want to meet him or her for real and join the dating site.

All of these suggestions will certainly guide you in the right direction. However, it’s important to keep an open mind and date people from all walks of life; you never know who might surprise you. And besides all that, it’s part of the finding-your-type process.

Visit the DatingTales online dating guide for more dating tips.