What are some additional things you can do if you are searching for “Mr. Or Mrs. Right”?

Have realistic expectations. Things aren’t always a bed of roses, no matter how healthy a person might be. Don’t expect to have a “perfect” relationship. After all, we are all human! This doesn’t mean you should ignore red flags or allow hurtful behaviors from a person, it just means that it’s important to not have unrealistic expectations.

Don’t negotiate your non-negotiables. If you feel strongly about a certain thing (for example, you could not date or marry someone who drank alcohol, had anger issues, or wasn’t faith-based– then don’t settle for less than this. This usually comes back to bite you, because we can’t change other people!

Be yourself. It’s important to let the other person get to know the “real you”. If you pretend to be something you are not, eventually the other person will see the real you and feel betrayed. Let the other person fall in love with who you really are!

Joleen Watson, MS, NCC, is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. She enjoys doing marriage counseling, relationship counseling, couples counseling, and individual counseling.  Imagine Hope also specializes in family, child and adolescent counseling and serves Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Noblesville, Zionsville, Westfield, and Fishers.