New Year's dating resolutions

Dear readers, I'm already off to a great 2012!  Muffie helped me edit and organize my closet.  By some miracle, all of my clothes are either hung or folded and put in a drawer.  I can't believe it all fits!  Now that I can actually see the floor in my room, I'm determined to keep it up.  No more throwing stuff in a heap -- that's going to be one of my New Year's resolutions.

Last night was the perfect New Year's Eve -- not leastwise because I spent it in sweatpants.  My girlfriends Muffy and Stacey came over for a low-key evening of wine and candy and magazines.  They helped me come up with a list of New Year's dating resolutions that I think are worth sharing.

In 2012, I will:

1. Only spend time with people I actually like, instead of with people I feel obligated to like.  For instance, if you aren't feeling chemistry with someone after a few dates, you probably won't ever feel it.  There's no need to keep dating that person, no matter how good they look on paper.  (Also, just because they are local and never have plans, doesn't mean you have to keep seeing them -- Muffy I'm looking at you.)

2.  Be more aware of potential online fakers.  If a guy from an online dating site doesn't want to give you his last name or his phone number, and if he seems to put off meeting you in person, there's a really good chance that guy is married.  Or in jail.  (Maybe both.)  Always be on the lookout for skeevy men.  For instance, I recently had an email from a man named Ty who had a very familiar profile...because a year ago I knew him as Topher.  His profile was totally different but the pictures were identical.  Busted!  (I called him out on it and he deleted or blocked his profile.  Take that, d-bag!)

3.  Chat up the cute men in the Starbucks line.  This one is all about upping the chances of meeting someone organically -- which never seems to happen in real life, despite what the movies would have you believe.  This is an idea I tried out last month with some success.  (Movember was a great opening line!)  I didn't get a number, but it upped my confidence a bit!

4.  Find a pair of jeans to show off my behind.  Can anyone recommend a brand?  Or a favourite style?  Who wants to go shopping? 

5.  Be on the search for a diamond in the rough.  Online dating is a superficial process, just by nature of how it works.  It can be tempting to click to the next guy if someone doesn't meet all of your criteria.  I've been trying to focus more on personality than looks in my searches -- I try to overlook a terrible haircut or ill-fitting pants, since those things are easily fixable.  Also, I will try to be more open to expanding my desired age range, since everyone is always saying age is just a number.

6.  Don't be an over-texter.  This is a really tough one for me, because I am in the habit of sending messages to anyone and everyone if I happen to think of them.  And naturally, if I have a bit of a crush on someone, I'm likely to think of them more than most.  Dating experts are always saying that women shouldn't be the aggressors and that we should let men be the pursuers.  Because of this, I worry that I'm going to drive someone away if I'm the first to initiate conversations or dates.  So I'm going to try being a bit harder to get.  (Or at least not over keen.)

7.  Fight the winter blues.  My winter blues always start after my birthday in February, so I'm going to try to stave them off with a bit more exercise.  I'm thinking maybe a beginner dance class might be fun!  Something like cardio salsa maybe.

Ok, that's it!  I think 7 resolutions is probably ambitious enough.  So what are your resolutions?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!