Emotionally available

 

Non-fiction for young & new adults

150-200 pages

 

Bad first dates, online dating platforms, learning about new(ish) concepts like polyamory – while having grown up with the idea of a fairytale happy end. How to navigate all that and more will be explored in this book about dating!

 

Being single and navigating the dating life is a struggle probably most people can relate to. In recent years things only got more complicated with new dating apps popping up and ideas and norms about relationships shifting and changing.

This book will go through some common theories about love and dating, look into the science behind it and dive into personal stories about good and bad dates.

 

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Suggested structure:

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

2. BEING SINGLE SUCKS

As many readers will be single the first chapter will dive into why it is so hard to be single. The book will uncover some norms about romantic relationships and the impact being single (and possibly lonely) can have on your mental health. Contrary to popular social media advice this chapter will not conclude that self-love will make being single easier – instead suggest platonic love and intimacy in friendship are skills we need to learn.

 

3. THE MEET-CUTE IS DEAD

While the idea of meeting the love of your life in your favourite book shop will forever be a lovely movie plot it is not the way most couples meet. This chapter explores different strategies of meeting people – and the pitfalls of them. Being set up by friends, going on online dates, first date safety and why politics matter in dating are themes explored in the second chapter.

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4. HOW TO FLIRT (AND BE A FEMINIST)

Consent is an issue not just when it comes to sex, but way earlier in any relationship. How do you give out compliments without objectifying people? What does it look like to flirt and ask for a date or someone’s number – when you’re also trying to not make the other person uncomfortable. How do you deal with someone saying No? And most importantly: How do you go about saying No yourself? (Because that can be hard!)

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5. IS THIS A DATE?

All the practicalities of dating deserve their own chapter: From different date ideas, to dating and alcohol and the dreaded “what are you looking for”-conversation.

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6. FROM LOVERS TO PARTNERS

Once you figured out you’d like things to get more serious: How do you share that with a potential partner? This chapter will guide through difficult conversations, introduce different concepts of relationships and look at attachement theory.

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7. BREAKING UP

The final chapter will dive into ghosting, ending things and knowing when to end things. The book will explore ways to get over someone – and then start the entire dating journey again.