Dear bakblogger,

I thought long and hard about how I could answer this question, because it is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. After much thought, I decided I will start off my advice by saying the most cliché, yet most important thing I can possibly say: You are not alone.

It is an often assumption that most people are in relationships. When you’re single, the entire world looks like it is full of couples. Everywhere you turn there are people hand in hand, looking all lovey–dovey eyed at each other. The truth is, these couples only make up half of the population. According to studies conducted by CouplesCompany.com, 50% of all Americans over the age of 18 are single. Look at the number of online dating sites as proof. Searching for these companies on Yahoo is mind blowing. Millions of online dating sites exist, with millions of people using them to find dates.

There are many, many people who have never been in relationships before. Attractive, fun-loving, great people whose time, for some reason or another, hasn’t come yet. You would never know it from looking at them. You see them out and you think, I’m sure that person has had tons of relationships! But the truth is far from it.

Here are a few tips I’ve collected along the way when it comes to meeting someone:

1. Be confident, and if you’re not confident, act like you are. Confidence attracts people. You don’t have to be arrogant or stuck on yourself (Confidence and arrogance are two completely different things). Just be yourself and believe in yourself. Truly believe there is someone out there for you. Don’t tell yourself, I will never find someone! I’m hopeless! This will only bring you down and your personality will reflect it. Fill yourself with positive energy, which people will want to be around!

2. Don’t look for a relationship. One will find you. The saying that loves always finds you when you’re not looking for it is true. People are often attracted to or excited by someone they feel is a challenge to get. Don’t be obvious. Go out and have fun and if you meet someone great, but if you don’t, great just the same!

3. Join clubs. If you’re in school, join things. The more people you meet, the more of a chance there is to meet someone you’ll be interested in whose interested in you.

4. When you meet someone you are attracted to, act interested, but not too interested. This is the most common mistake people make after they’ve found someone they’re interested in. No one likes or is attracted to desperation. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard, “I don’t understand why she won’t call me back! I just keep calling her and calling her and calling her!” Don’t cross that line. Call once, leave a message, and go about your life.

5. While you’re not in a relationship, learn from your friends who are. Some of the most important relationship lessons I’ve learned were from my friends and what they were going through in their relationships.

6. Don’t be picky. If you meet someone whom you feel just isn’t your type, talk to them anyway. Don’t rule anyone out. First impressions aren’t always true. Just because you haven’t found your special someone yet, doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you.

You will find that person one day. I promise. For some people it happens later than earlier. As I said, this issue is one that is near and dear to my heart. I didn’t have a serious relationship until I was almost 21. :-)