Wendy-atterberry

Wendy Atterberry

on Finding Romance
Contributing writer for The Frisky
New York, NY

Favorite Cheer!

Changeography

What is the belief you personally go to during times of change?

That nothing is permanent and in three months, I'll have a completely different set of challenges.

The best thing about change is…

The opportunities it unveils.

What is the best change you have ever made?

Making the move from Chicago to New York to start a new life with my long-distance boyfriend.

Advice on Change

Get a Life.
Maintain an exciting and interesting life, full of great friends, hobbies, a fulfilling job, fun classes, travel, and culture-packed weekends. Have at least three things planned every week, outside of work, television, and dating, so you actually have something to bring to the table when you are on a date.

Make Eye Contact, Smile, and Wave.
One of the easiest things you can do to land a date is to make eye contact with someone you find attractive. See a cutie on the subway on your way home from work? Look at him! Look at him long enough to hold his gaze and then...? Smile! You'd be amazed at how well this simple tactic works.

Cultivate an Air of Mystery.
Resist the urge to talk about yourself nonstop, and give your date a chance to get a word in edgewise. While learning about him, you'll pique his curiosity and increase the likelihood of a second date.

Date More Than One Person.
Even if you think you've found your soul mate, date more than one person until you've gotten to know each other better and your connection is based on more than initial attraction and the desire for a relationship. You'll know you're ready to be exclusive when you can articulate at least 10 good reasons why you want to date only this person and no one else. Fear of loneliness does not count!

Be Picky.
If you aren't seeing anyone and haven't had a date in a little while, be picky. If you start going out with people just to go out with people, you'll quickly inherit that telltale stench of desperation, the smell that warns prospects that you are hard up and should be avoided. What to do if you're in a dry spell and you're getting nervous that maybe you'll never meet anyone again? Go back to my first tip and get a life. If you do that, the rest will take care of itself.

About Wendy Atterberry

Wendy Atterberry is a contributing writer for The Frisky where she writes about relationships, being a recessionista, and what every woman should know before 30, among other things. She also contributes to Nerve.com's product blog, has been featured on CNN.com and Huffington Post, and regularly updates her blog, City Wendy. She lives in Manhattan with her boyfriend and two cats.