I personally advise that it is better to continue dating until you find the person you believe to be the best possible fit for you. Sure, this is idealistic, and I understand that not everyone may believe in the concept of “soul mates,” but you shouldn’t settle for a person who only half clicks with you.

Sure, you could make compromises and overlook some misalignments between the two of you, but this doesn’t bode well for a future together. Settling is a dangerous act because it likely means your differences with the other person will only grow with time. If there are small issues upon which you disagree, they will only become magnified the longer you are together.

I say to continue dating until you’ve found your perfect fit, but this is not to say that you should always be on the lookout for the next best thing. Doing so will blur your vision and prevent you from seeing whether the person in front of you is actually just what you’re looking for. Date patiently, with an open mind and in a way that always keeps you true to yourself. The ending prize will be worth your wait.

Tips & Tricks

Never bend who you are. Always, always stay true to yourself and true to what you value in a partner. Unlike what “Grease” might have taught you, you won’t be helping yourself if you change to fit another person’s desires and/or preferences.

Don’t hunt for the “next best thing.” Enjoy being with the person you’re with, and if things don’t pan out, then you can begin searching elsewhere. No one likes talking to the person at the party who’s always scanning the room for someone better.

Better still—don’t search at all! If I’ve learned anything at all about the abstract world of relationships, it’s that sometimes a great person seems to appear out of thin air. Life has a funny way of throwing things at you at certain times, which is why I suggest to not be so active in your search for the perfect match; perhaps just sit back and let it happen. I know I am irreparably optimistic, but the cliche holds true: it really does feel like the right person will simply waltz into your life just when you’ve resolved to stop searching.