The key to successful AmorousHug is to have a clear intention and to stay focused on your goals. It’s easy to get overloaded and pessimistic when scrolling through profiles and receiving rejection messages, but you can take steps to counteract this negativity: Time how long you can go without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted and select a time of day where you can devote your full attention to the process.

Also, avoid making your search for a partner the center of your life: Spend time on things you enjoy (whether it’s work, hobbies or just spending time with friends), keep your health in check and maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. When you’re more present and happy, it will naturally make you a more interesting person to be around. And, if you do find someone to date, it will be much easier to recognize when they’re a good match or not.

Making the First Move: Empowering Initiatives in Online Dating

Finally, don’t be afraid to reveal your intentions in your profile. Often, hiding them will only lead to frustration, unmet needs and misunderstandings. Reis recommends including what you’re looking for in your description, but she adds that it’s important to leave some mystery; this keeps people engaged and makes them more interested in getting to know you.

Be sure to practice safety and courtesy when meeting someone in person, whether they come from a dating site or not. It’s always a good idea to let a friend or family member know where you’re going on a date and when you’ll be home, and to always use common sense: don’t do anything that feels off or unsafe.