But as helpful as these apps can be at helping us connect with others, they come with some fairly serious downfalls, some more obvious than others, and I’m talking from experience here.

Recently, I met somebody through the dating app Hinge, who unfortunately was not the person they made out to be, and the way in how he mis-represented himself was quite bone-chillingly well put together. Now, I’m a 31-year-old single female who lives on my own and I look after myself, by myself. I live life on my own terms, and I choose who I let into my world. I took all the right precautions when I decided to get to know this individual and did everything by the book, yet he still managed to fool me and everyone else around me with it. But it seems I’m not alone in this experience. It has been known to happen to thousands of women across the world. A 2015 survey states that out of 1,282 active Tinder users, nearly 30% of users were married, while another 12% were in a relationship. Unsurprisingly, it is the anonymity of online dating/apps that has been beneficial to many married men who find the lure of adultery exciting.

Unfortunately, in the arena of online dating, we cannot afford to be naïve anymore. To be able to enjoy dating we need to be smarter and more open minded in how we go about things. We owe it to ourselves here. Which is why signing up to a professional and more personal dating agency is a far safer and more reassuring way to go about finding the one. Initially, the virtual dating world was created for the purpose of young professionals who were too busy to go out and find the one in social situations. Dating apps were marketed towards these individuals who were looking for long-term relationships. But as time has moved on, instead of offering real human connection with a single swipe, some, will argue that dating apps are simply turning up the dial on hook-up culture, and hetero women and men are once again left to work out the mental gymnastics to convince themselves that this is good.

The dating app world also makes it easier for people to lie or give false impressions of themselves. Furthermore, the algorithms used to determine matches are not always based on good data as the input, and by that is the ‘real’ person.  People do not always have a good insight into themselves and some intentionally mis-portray themselves, which brings me back to the wonderful world of agencies and the advantages they hold over the likes of Hinge, Tinder and Bumble.

I only really knew how dating agencies work once I applied to work for one. I joined Project 143 (a matchmaking agency catering to Asian professionals). One of the biggest differences between a dating agency and a dating app is that agencies actively headhunt every member, with all individuals undergoing consultations and a proper vetting process before they are even taken on to join the membership. Singles have the reassurance that people are who they say they are, and are really looking for genuine, long-term relationships. Not only that, but some agencies, like Project 143, have a team of experts with a list of accolades to help singles on a very personal level, guiding and supporting them along the way. This includes services such as check ins, dating tips, styling advice, photoshoots, coaching sessions as well as date concierge – setting them up on safe and secure dates, in well-established locations.

So when it comes to finding the one, if you are serious and genuine about applying yourself to the process, take the time to really think about the platforms you use in order to find yourself that person, as not only do the stats state the facts, but my personal experience of falling victim to a very well-played fraud, show how wrong it really can go when putting your trust and your future into the hands of the algorithms and game playing of a stranger. I know for sure Project 143 mean what they say with their very own motto ‘no algorithms, no games’.

By Frances B Shillito

The post The negative side of dating apps and why using a professional matchmaker is becoming a more popular alternative. appeared first on Project 143.

Tips for Dating During COVID

Get Creative With Dates – Though lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures are slowly easing, it could be a while before everything is back to normal. Thankfully, that doesn’t need to put a stop to dating altogether. By getting creative with your date activities, you can enjoy meeting new people and potentially meet your perfect match during COVID. If you are not able to sit inside a busy restaurant, head to the park for a romantic picnic. If you want to avoid large crowds, book a table outside a quiet bar for drinks in the city. If you’re not able to attend a concert or theatre performance, take a look for an outdoor event. Though COVID may limit your date plans somewhat, it doesn’t rule them out completely and there are plenty of COVID friendly options.

Be Selective – At Project 143, we place a lot of emphasis on handpicking people to match you with and this is even more important amidst COVID. With many of us wanting to mingle with fewer people, carefully selecting who you date and where you go is paramount. Rather than going on a date because an algorithm says you should, we choose your matches based on you as an individual and what you are looking for. Of course, this doesn’t mean being too picky and not giving people a chance. Rather than wasting your time and energy on someone who you know isn’t right for you, you can focus your attention on those with genuine potential.

Give Remote Dating a Go – If you have been looking to date during COVID, you will know that meeting remotely is hugely popular. With the pandemic going on, many singletons turned to remote dating and this isn’t something that will go away when lockdown ends. Though there are downsides of conducting a date via Skype, FaceTime or Zoom – it’s hard to look your best when your camera freezes and we all know the struggles of an audio delay – it’s a good way to find out if you get on. If you have a lot to talk about and the conversation flows, think about going out on a ‘real’ date when you are able to. If there is no spark and awkward silences aplenty, you won’t have wasted an evening finding out.

Get Back Out There

Like many people, you may have let dating take a back seat during COVID and rightly so. Simply, there were more important things to worry about. However, now is the time to get back out there and dust off those dating outfits. With the world opening up again, there has never been a better time to give dating your all. With Project 143, help is at hand and you won’t be doing it alone.

With lockdown – slowly, but surely – coming to an end, you can afford to make dating a priority again. That doesn’t mean you have to throw yourself back in at the deep end and download a tonne of dating apps, but putting some feelers out there and showing willingness to meet your match can make a huge difference. Though dating during COVID may be daunting and a little out of your ‘new normal’ comfort zone, it’s certainly worth it in the end.

The post Dating During COVID appeared first on Project 143.

As we get older and we begin dating, we start to question this reality. When we find ourselves single in our thirties or older, or recovering from a breakup, and the idea of the perfect someone is quickly called into question. After all, if they really were perfect for us, wouldn’t they have found us already? Well, no, not exactly.

What Makes Someone Perfect For Us?

There is no denying that there are people we are better suited to than others, you only need to go on one bad date to know that. However, that doesn’t mean that we all need to be looking for the same perfect someone. Instead of looking for the perfect person, we need to look for the perfect someone for us. This doesn’t mean someone who ticks every box and does no wrong, it means someone who shares similar goals and desires; someone we can build a life and grow with, someone we want to spend time with, someone we can share our thoughts and feelings with.

A lot of people focus on finding their ideal match in terms of what they look like, the job they have and what they have achieved in life. If you’re especially picky, you may factor where they are from or their financial standing in as well. Instead, you should be focusing on finding someone whose personality compliments yours and who wants similar things out of life.

Think about it, it’s much more important to find someone who shares your views on having children than it is to find someone who has the same favourite movie as you. It’s much more important to find someone who has similar interests to you, than it is to find someone who graduated with a specific degree from a specific university. You may have an idea of who the perfect someone is, but you can’t rule anyone out.

Should We Be Compromising on Perfection?

Too many people go into the world of dating with a clear idea of what they want and though it’s good to know what you are looking for in a partner, you need to be prepared to compromise. This doesn’t mean settling for less than you deserve, it means being open to the idea that the perfect someone may not be who you were expecting.

They can be perfect for you in the way they make you feel, the joy they bring you and the life goals they share. They may not share your love of going to the theatre or eating specific cuisine, but does that mean they’re not your perfect someone? No, as long as they embrace your likes and you embrace theirs. Many experts would agree that a little imperfection is key to a healthy relationship.

Being someone’s perfect someone is much more than being perfect on paper, it’s all about chemistry and making the relationship work in the long run. Relationships do require a certain level of compromise from both parties, but this shouldn’t take away from you feeling as though someone is perfect for you. You can compromise and ask someone to compromise, whilst still being a perfect match. A lot of people spend their time dating searching for someone who is just like them, only to realise the perfect someone is the exact opposite.

They say opposites attract and there is some truth to it, so be open to this possibility when you are looking for your perfect someone.

[Asian Matchmaking, Asian Dating, No Algorithms No Games]

The post Is There a Perfect Someone? appeared first on Project 143.

We have sent our clients on many dates and the feedback we get sometimes is things like “he didn’t pay for the bill”, “She was staring at her phone the whole time”, “she was talking about herself too much”, “he was perfect in everyway, the date went really well but there was no spark”. Some things are out of your control but a lot of them are in your control and avoidable if you know how to behave on a date and how to steer the conversation so that you are getting the best out of each other. Remember, ‘spark’ is not something that will always be instantaneous and despite what Hollywood/Bollywood movies portray, all dates do not lead to butterflies in your stomach straight-away. Spark needs to be honed and the responsibility rests on both parties – you get what you put in. Be mindful of your own behaviours and also remember people are not always fully themselves on the first date so give your date a fair chance.
Project 143’s Lifestyle coach, Chiedu Hing, has shared her wisdom below:

Flood your mind with positivity

What you focus on expands. Focusing on negative thinking is not advisable as it is more likely to lead to an unenjoyable date. Negative thoughts we often tell our clients to avoid are:
• Past relationships/dates (replaying events, feelings of regret, comparing your date with your ex, talking about how terrible or how amazing your last date was – why are you talking about this with a person you are currently on a date with and trying to get to know with a view to having more date with them?)
• Focusing on what you don’t Iike in a partner.
• Wondering who is going to pay the bill.
• Worrying whether they will like you.
• Focusing on not being physically attracted to your date.
• Feeling that you are not good enough for your date.
• Feeling that you are more attractive than your date.
• Thinking there maybe someone better than your date.
• Thinking you are running out of time.
• Thinking how to get one-up on your date.

Stop with the unrealistic expectations

Don’t have unrealistic expectations about your date, for example (wanting them to look as attractive as a model) or wanting them to make you laugh. All these negative thoughts and expectation will subtly be picked up by your date. They will sense your negative vibes a mile off – even though you might not think so. It’s these vibes which detract away from the potential to build a good, initial rapport with each other.
Instead, think about how you want to be seen, without being fake. What do you like about yourself, what are you grateful for? What makes you smile and laugh? What sort of banter do you enjoy? Bringing these joyful considerations to the front of your mind will help you focus more on your positive aspects and feel more in control of how you want the date to go.

Keep the conversation balanced, light and fun

Remember – it’s good to talk! A date is a 2-way opportunity to get to know each other. Under no circumstances should you bring your past into the conversation – if you want the conversation to be positive then do not go there! If you are asked about your past relationship then politely say its too early to go into detail this stage but you will be happy to discuss if things progress. Be open and keep the conversation balanced between how much you talk about yourself and asking questions. Use your quality time as an opportunity to talk about neutral things. Now, if striking conversation is not one of your strong points this is your time practice, so you can feel more comfortable with holding down a conversation. Always remember to try and expand on your answers, to show that you are engaging. Avoid one worded answers! See ‘James Preece’s Conversation Starters’ below.

Be interested – without quizzing your date too much on their personal life. Ask a range of open questions for your date to give open answers for example, what do you like doing on the weekends? Think about questions to ask which does not make the date feel as if they are being put on the spot.

Stay aware of your body language

Keep your body language open and relaxed – communication is said to be 80% non-verbal, that means that your body will have an important part to play during your date. Give eye contact – when you are talking keep engaged in your date.

Forget the expectations

Have no expectations. When you have no expectations, you cannot be disappointed. You may have read an impressive profile of your date, but the proof will be in the pudding. Instead of having a mental checklist for your date to live up to, go with an open mind, so what if they are shorter, taller, heavier, quieter, louder than what your mind had imagined them to be. Overcome your expectations by giving them a chance to be themselves and not the person you expected them be.

Leave your phone alone!

This should be an obvious one but, so many people complain that their date started to use their phone during their date. Would you start messaging a friend in the middle of an interview? No, so don’t do it on a date!

Get comfortable with awkward silences

It’s okay to not talk for a moment, even though it might feel like an eternity. It doesn’t mean that the date is going horribly wrong. Why do we have to continually fill spaces with conversation? Don’t panic that you have run out of things to say. Simply lean into the silence and smile. Use the time wisely to collect your thoughts, look at your date, what have you learnt about them so far? Are you enjoying it, if not why not? Notice what thoughts come up.

Stay in control

Manage your nerves by taking deep breaths to slow a racing heartbeat. If you are feeling overwhelmed with nerves during your date, take a moment to reground yourself. Excuse yourself for a moment to pop into the toilet. Give yourself a moment to take three deep breaths. Create a picture in your mind of having a great evening, notice how it good it feels when you are just focusing on having a nice time. Focus on having fun and make a decision to enjoy the rest of the date. You’ve got this!
If you are struggling to find anything to enjoy about your date – don’t worry. See it as a learning experience. What didn’t go well and why? What did you learn about your date? What could you have done differently to experience a different outcome? In any event the dating experience is one to be enjoyed – so have fun!

James Preece’s conversation starters

Dating and Relationship Expert James Preece has created a set of conversation starters. You will be surprised at how much these deepen conversation and provides you with a better insight into your date’s personality. These are things that will count not the personal assumptions you have made about the other person before you took the time to get to the really know them. It will also help to create some good banter and hopefully some laughs too. Remember this is just your first date – keep it light.

1. If you were an animal, what would you be?
2. What would your dream job be?
3. If they made a film about your life, who would play you?
4. What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?
5. What is your guilty pleasure?
6. Do you have any phobias?
7. Would you cut off your finger for a million pounds?
8. How would you spend your ideal day?
9. If you could be a fly on the wall where would it be?
10. What would you like to be remembered for?
11. What is your favourite joke?
12. If a magic pixie gave your 3 wishes what would they be?
13. What’s the biggest risk you have ever taken?
14. What is your most prized possession?
15. If you had to wear a t-shirt for the rest of your life with one word on it….what would that word be?
16. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
17. What do you value most in a friendship?
18. What is your most treasured memory?

After your date

Some of you may come away thinking you had the best time and would love to see your date again. Some of you may not have the butterflies just yet but have built up enough intrigue to go for a second date. Some of you may come away thinking that you had a pleasant enough time but you don’t think there is anything at all that sparked a further interest in you. Some of you may come away thinking you had an awful time. Sparks don’t always will fly immediately when you meet. To increase the chances of spark there will be work on your part.

Whatever the outcome of your date remember it is an opportunity for you to have fun and get to know your match. Keep it simple and enjoy the moment.

The post Real Dating Prep From The Project 143 Experts appeared first on Project 143.

We consulted Project 143 lifestyle guru, Chiedu Hing and dating expert, James Preece to find out, when it comes to dating, if age is ever just a number.

Gender Divide on Aging

For James, there is a distinct gender divide when it comes to how we embrace aging. He sees many men failing to take care of their appearance as they age while women spend increasing time on beauty and fitness routines.

James sees this trend driving women to seek relationships with younger men. “What happens is women just aren’t attracted to men their own age or older. They look around and decide they will have to date younger.” Problems arise when things get serious James says, as “most younger men don’t want to settle down with someone if there’s too much of an age gap.”

Of course, there is also the age-old stereotype of men who want to start relationships with much younger women. James argues this is nearly always a disaster and many men in this situation are simply looking at the superficial, in short, “they want someone they show off to their friends.”

What Impact Does Age Have on a Relationship?

With the right attitude – it seems that age can have little to no effect on a romantic partnership. Chiedu says “relationships are successful because both parties have looked past the number and decided to accept their partner because of how they make them feel.”

Society can make it tough, though, to see aging and dating in a neutral light. We are bombarded with messages that youth is good and this can leave older daters under increased pressure. Chiedu advises her clients to stop judging themselves and other negatively on age, arguing it creates a dangerous cycle of thinking. She advises, “this is a self-limiting belief which, the more you think it, the more you will believe it to be true and the more it becomes your reality”

One thing Chiedu has noticed is an increase in age gap relationships, saying, “we are seeing more examples of successful relationships with age gaps as big as 12 years between couples.” Perhaps this means we are finally leaving our obsession with age behind!

Make Your Own Rules

Something both our experts agree on is that you make your own rules when it comes to aging and dating. As James says, “it’s much more important that you have shared values, interests and life goals. Give everyone a chance and you never know what might happen!”

Project 143 is an elite matchmaking service and our dating experts are determined to help you find lasting love regardless of your age bracket. Get in touch today and let us help find your perfect match.

The post Does age really matter in relationships? appeared first on Project 143.

As a result, by understanding how you can look after your emotional well-being you can move forward and continue to enjoy wonderful, successful relationships.

Read my 5 Top Tips on strategies to help cope with break-ups:-

1. If you can’t accept it you can’t erase it! Make peace with the situation

You’ve probably replayed the situation hundreds of times in your mind and thinking about what you could have said or done to change things. You cannot go back in time. No amount of continuous replay of events is going to change the situation. Thus the only way to gain freedom from overthinking is for you to accept that it has happened.

2. Take responsibility for your part in the break-up

This is an important part in resolving any type of conflict and requires emotional strength and honesty. The truth is not always something we want to own up to but when we take responsibility for our actions and inactions contributing to the relationship breakdown, the healing process can begin. Therefore instead of attributing blame, look at what lessons you can learn from the experience to avoid the same mistake happening again.

3. Forgive yourself and your partner

Anger and resentment are very powerful emotions that, if harboured long enough, can make us physically sick. It doesn’t help to think negatively of your ex and wishing ill of them. Forgive yourself for doing anything you didn’t do with malicious intent. This will help change the way you feel internally. Ask yourself what is the best loving action or thought you can do for yourself to feel better? Do something kind for yourself each day. By working on your own self-forgiveness you are more likely to show compassion to your ex in the future.

4. Heal in baby steps

Be patient with your feelings. You’ve been through emotional turmoil so allow yourself to feel your emotions. Crying is a healthy way of detoxifying stored emotions. Daily affirmations work well if you choose statements which resonate with you. Try these to begin with: “Day by day I am feeling better and better”; “I allow myself to feel this sadness” and “It’s ok to feel this way.”

5. Be patient with yourself

Remember, you can’t turn your feelings off overnight, so don’t be surprised if you find your emotions flitting from high to low. Don’t be disappointed that you’re not “over your ex” several weeks later. It can take a long time to recover from a breakup. But it can also be an opportunity to be you again and to reinvent yourself to the world.

By Health & Lifestyle Coach, Chiedu Hing 

The post Mending a Broken Heart appeared first on Project 143.

As a professional South Asian matchmaker, a question asked by my newly single clients is, ‘When should I introduce my new partner to my kids?’

First of all, I always tell people looking for partners that there is no need to introduce the kids to all your dates!

You should only introduce this new person to children if it’s going somewhere. Why do I say this?

Because if a child has seen a parent’s response to an unsuccessful previous relationship, they will be super protective. In short, they won’t be open to a new partner. Consequently, take your time when you make the introduction.

As such, here are my 5 Tips for introducing your new partner to your kids:-

1. Timing

A child’s response to divorce or separation is not easy to understand.

They need time to adjust to the split.

They may be angry, sad or frightened about the future.

Introducing your children too soon to your date could add complications to their adjustment to divorce or separation.

As a result, waiting will pay off for everyone in the long run.

Take it slow…

2. Collaborate with your kids

Firstly, talk to your children.

Explain that you are dating someone whom you care about, and that you’d like to introduce them.

Furthermore ask them how they feel. Do they have any questions?

In addition, reassure them that your partner or date will not replace their other parent. Your relationship with your kids won’t change.

Many young children may be confused to know that there is someone new on the scene.

Moreover, they may be angry or feel rejected. You need to address these fears and concerns.

And tell them that your relationship remains a priority.

Finally, ask for your kids’ feedback about how and when they first meet your new partner. Don’t just arrange something without letting their knowledge.

3. Be Realistic

What’s more, be realistic about your children’s acceptance of your new partner.

You may be captivated, but your children may not feel the same!

4. Talk to Your Partner

Similarly, talk to your new partner about your child/children and your family life.

Tell them about your child’s fears and their response to past liaisons.

And inform them about your child’s relationship with the other parent.

Hence, let them know that they need to accept and include your children as part of your friendship.

Nevertheless, they also need to know that children may still be adjusting to the situation.

So before introducing the children discuss the nature of your bond with them.

Ask them, ‘where it is going?’

Most of all, what role do they want to have in their lives?

5. Think peace – not war!

Finally, aim to bring peace not war to the introduction!

Only introduce a new partnership into your children’s lives if it is going to also bring them love and stability.

Avoid overly complicated or stressful relationships.

Until they are resolved, keep them away from the children.

Most of all, remember it’s unfair to expect a children who have lost one parent through divorce or bereavement to do so again.

But all couples are prone to arguments and stress, and sadly kids can sometimes get caught up in it.

However, this should only be sometimes, not all the time.

[Asian dating | Asian matchmaking UK – Project 143]

The post When your kids meet your new partner appeared first on Project 143.

The thing about first dates is they’re part of a trial and error process. Sometimes we just can’t help things failing – whether it be a lack of chemistry, awkward silences or just saying something completely moronic.

Is there a way to redeem yourself after a bad date?  I had an Asian client recently who’d pursued a lady for a long time.  He was thrilled when she agreed to go for drinks with him and tried his best to make a great first impression. Unfortunately, half way through (and after such a good start) he made a joke which had clearly insulted her, and for the rest of the evening there was a frosty atmosphere. Afterwards, he continued pursuing – trying to undo the damage he had inadvertently created – but he was unsuccessful and I had to tell him to stop contacting her.

The point of the story is that sometimes you just have to accept failure and move on. If there was such a great connection in the first place, would she really have broken it off over one bad joke?

It’s even worse if you thought the date went great, never to hear from that person again. Rejection can really be a kick to your confidence. Consider these ways to deal with a bad first date instead of turning to tissues and ice-cream:

Don’t panic and rethink

Chill out and ask yourself: how do you think the date went? Did you talk a lot or was there silences? Did you check your phone too much or say anything inappropriate?

Be honest with yourself

If you gave it your best, maybe it was your date who put a downer on it? Maybe there was just no spark between you. If the problem wasn’t you, there’s not much you can do to correct it.

Put things into perspective

If you know you acted in a way you are not happy with, text or call and apologise. You are not perfect, no one is.

Don’t get clingy If contact has taken a nose-dive, don’t chase too much or demand attention. Give your date some space, keep busy and see what happens when you reach out again after a week or two.

Analyse the ending

Think about the end of the date.

Were you happy/unhappy it ended? Did your date say they would call/text you? Did they seem keen to see you again? Was there a hug or kiss goodbye? If it seemed to go well, and you haven’t heard back, perhaps they just got busy and feel too bad now to contact you at all.

If you haven’t heard from your date after a while, just reach out and say hello. There’s no harm in being friendly and there’s nothing to lose.

The most important thing I can tell you if things don’t work out is simply to learn from your mistakes and move on.  Get yourself back out dating again and you never know what might happen.

Remember – there’s not really such a thing as a “bad date” as you’ll be able to have a funny story to tell your friends.

Happy dating

James

James Preece is one of the UK’s leading Dating Experts and has over a decade of experience helping bring singles together. If you are interested in getting some personal dating coaching from James, you can find out more about him HERE

By Dating Expert James Preece

The post How to recover from a bad date appeared first on Project 143.

I read today that saying ‘thank you’ to your partner may be the secret to having a better relationship. I totally agree with the journalist behind the survey, Janice Kaplan, who helped conduct a survey about Americans’ gratitude habits. The results? While 97 percent of respondents said they regularly thanked  partners, only 48 percent of women responded that they regularly thanked their husbands.

I am not entirely surprised by the results from reports like this. Let’s face it, we all know the impact of showing just a little kindness and thoughtfulness.

Research has shown that people who feel grateful for interactions with their loved ones have a stronger connection and feeling of satisfaction in the relationships. Other reports have shown that the more grateful a couple reports being, the more likely they are to stay together.

I will always remember reading a Spanish proverb, “He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.” I couldn’t agree more! This is so true in relationships and marriage; small acts of kindness really can go a long way with people. If you’ve seen Jennifer Aniston in ‘The Break Up’ you will remember when she says she would have appreciated it if her husband had bought her some flowers. She had gone out of her way to make dinner for him after a really hard day at work. The flowers would have been that ‘something small’ that would have been ‘oh so big’ to her. They would have shown that her husband really cared about his wife.

So what are the other things that partners can do to enjoy a great relationship with each other? Here are my 4 tips for a successful relationship that I share with clients as a professional matchmaker:-

1. Listen

For me, listening to each other is THE number one secret to a healthy, happy partnership between two people. We all need to be listened to in order to be understood and valued. It’s when we aren’t listened to by our loved ones, that misunderstandings occur. And what is a possible impact of a misunderstanding? An argument!

In order to really listen properly, it’s important to look at your partner when they talk. But to be a really good listener, it’s important not to talk over or interrupt your partner. It can take some people time to break this habit so you need to be patient and allow your partner to take as much time as they need to talk.

2. Make Time for each other

I know we are all on the go and there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day, but if you don’t spend any time together alone as a couple then you are more likely to drift apart, sorry. Relationships need regular contact to work. Did you know that Paul and Linda McCartney spent every day together in their 29 year marriage and there were only 11 days when they didn’t spend the night together! There is no substitute for shared quality time. When you spend time together without any interruption, you will form a bond that will get you through life’s good times and the not-so-good times too.

3. Honesty is key

You may share with your partner the things they may not want to hear. But better this than to have him or her doubt your honesty! Mistrust is one of the key relationship deal breakers. Once trust is lost or broken, it can take a very long time to re-establish it and get back on track. The happiest couples I know are the ones where honesty is as natural and instinctive as walking or breathing.

4. Focus on what they do right not what they do wrong

Positive reinforcement is a technique used with children and it holds its own with adults too. These being the case, compliment your partner when they deserve it. Try not to look for things they do wrong. Be on the look out to appreciate the great things your partner does because when you notice them, it will encourage them to reciprocate by doing good things for you in return. It creates a positive upward spiral. And when people are appreciated this leads to admiration. And when you admire someone, it’s really easy get along with them.

What are your secrets to a strong relationship? Share them with Project 143 on Facebook or Twitter!

[Asian dating | Asian matchmaking UK – Project 143]

The post What are the secrets to a strong, lasting relationship? appeared first on Project 143.