Week 1/Message 1: Value and Honor Yourself When You're Dating

By Christine Murray, See the Triumph Co-Founder

Dating is all about relationships. When you think about dating, the first relationship that probably comes to mind is the relationship you have with the person you’re dating. But, I want to encourage you to think of another relationship before you think of that one. Whenever you’re thinking about a possible dating relationship, first and foremost, I want you to think of your relationship with yourself.

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “You can’t love somebody else until you love yourself.” Maybe you’ve even rolled your eyes when a parent or teacher told you this! As cheesy as this saying can sound, there’s a deep truth to it that likely explains why this saying has had such staying power.

The truth is, the best way to enter a healthy, safe dating relationship is by having a strong, positive sense of self. If you value yourself and recognize what an important, worthy person you are, you will be better prepared to notice if someone else begins to devalue or mistreat you.

Of course, everyone has bad days, and it’s just as important to recognize your personal weaknesses as it is to believe in your positive qualities. However, this week, we’re focusing on the importance of valuing and honoring yourself in dating relationships. When you can see this value in yourself, you will expect nothing less than someone who treats you with the same level of value and respect that you give to yourself.

And so, our first message during this first week of our focus on #safedating4teens is this: Always value and honor yourself when you’re dating.