A funny thing happens when you’re in your 20s and you unexpectedly become single. As soon as they sense a window of opportunity, the oddest characters come crawling out of the woodworks. Sharks, I like to call them (actually, there’s another word for it but I’m trying to keep this accessible to everybody).
When I discussed this with a friend, she alerted me to the window of opportunity. Everybody knows there’s a limited time in which a person who is interested in you will remain interested, so you should make your move accordingly. And now we can define it. And we will. Little disclaimer: as always, this is my experience, yours might be different. I’m just sharing this for informative and amusement purposes.
- So step 1 is to make sure you get somebody’s contact info. Whether that’s a phone number or friending them on Facebook, make sure you have a means of communicating. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT wait too long contacting them. I told you before, if you feel the need to wait 3-4 days that’s cool, but I’ll probably have forgotten who you are by the time you reach out.
- OK so texting and the occasional phone call (yes, phone call) is fun, but don’t wait too long on actually setting up a real meetup either. I don’t really care who does the asking, just get it done. So how do you do this? Day, time, place, activity. Without one or more of those, it’s not a plan but a vague idea. And vague ideas get ignored. Opportunity gone. You’ve been warned. If at all possible, don’t let weeks pass between setting the date and the actual date.
- Cool, so you’ve met up with your person of choice and I’m just going to assume it went well, yes? OK. Pay close attention because people forget about this: say out loud that it was fun, and at the end of the night (or day, afternoon, whatever it is you’re doing) express interest in a followup and try to set it then and there. At least pick a day. People are busy these days and you’re gonna want a spot in their calendar (and they should want you in theirs).
- Lastly and probably most importantly: do not be afraid. Sure, they might say no. That will probably be no fun for a couple of days (at most). But: regrets are stupid. At least now you know. Don’t let fear hold you back. Fear is not sexy.
Tadaaaa. This is how you lock yourself in before the window closes on all these sharks. Go get ’em.