Thank you, VOX, for featuring my dating advice in ‘The Best Advice We Got in 2024!’ I’m honored my insights were included in the best expert advice for your year-end compilation of ways to improve our lives.
Alle writes, “If you’re reading this, you probably know there’s no shortage of advice — good, bad, middling — in our digital landscape. Influencers are always peddling one weird trick to help you “hack” your health; many people on the internet won’t bat an eye before telling you to “divorce him,” and Reddit has become the de facto destination to tell you whether you’re being an asshole (and for actually honest reviews). Of course, if you’re a regular Vox reader, you might’ve noticed our practical guidance on topics ranging from personal finance to friendship to health and wellness.
As we close the book on 2024, I combed through some of the best tips and tricks experts gave to Even Better this year. From small tweaks to major reevaluations, therapists, researchers, dating coaches, and more have shared their insights with us all year. Here’s a cheat sheet for all the best advice we learned and will be taking with us into 2025.
To meet potential romantic interests IRL, take romance off the table (at first)
Many singles, exasperated by dating apps, are taking a tried-and-true approach to dating: meeting potential romantic interests in the wild. But there’s a lot of ambiguity in the real world — unlike on dating apps, it’s unclear whether that person across the yoga studio is into you, or is even single in the first place. To take some of the pressure off, relationship expert Susan Winter says to avoid flirting from the jump and to simply enjoy pleasant conversation with new people. “If you get boxed up, forget that they are a romantic prospect,” Winter says. “Actually tell yourself they are a human being and your task is to engage with this human being.”
Figure out what you’re really fighting about
Not that anyone plans on getting into an argument, but if you do, keep this tip in your back pocket. Underneath seemingly petty disagreements over who takes out the trash are deeper issues at play. Influential couples counselors John and Julie Gottman call this the “dreams within conflict.” To get to the root of an argument, they suggest asking the person you’re clashing with questions like, “Tell me why this is so important to you,” or, “Is there a story behind this for you?” Hear them out and then answer these questions for yourself, too.
Continue Reading this article for more great advice on how to live your best life.
