How to create date ideas!

Hey fam! Before diving into the tips, here’s a quick story. If you’d rather skip ahead, feel free—and don’t forget we have plenty of other articles featuring date ideas around Atlanta that you can easily borrow from if you’re short on inspiration!

I used to be lazy and nervous about planning dates, so I challenged myself by booking activities every two weeks—even without a date lined up. If I couldn’t find someone, I’d take a friend instead. Once, I booked a cheap Airbnb with a hot tub, karaoke gear, and invited a girl I liked, joking with friends that we’d all play Street Fighter if things didn’t work out. To everyone’s surprise, she said yes! Hilariously, an hour into the date, a friend showed up ready for our backup plan. Proud yet heartbroken, he wished us luck and left us drinks. It became one of the best dates ever, and I dated her for years. After our breakup, my friends cheered me up by renting the same Airbnb to finally enjoy our “backup plan” together and this time I only had to reimburse that one friend for the drinks he left us 2 years ago. This taught me that planning dates around activities I genuinely enjoyed meant I’d always have a good time—date or no date.

Here are my best tips for consistently creating amazing dates:

Step 1: Create a Date Idea Bucket List

Brainstorm a bucket list of fun activities:

• Quirky local museums
• New coffee shops or dessert spots
• Local festivals or concerts
• Hiking trails or nearby parks
• Arcade bars or game cafes

Step 2: Save Social Media Inspiration

Save screenshots of fun activities you see on social media in a “Date Ideas” folder on your phone.

Step 3: Borrow Ideas from Groupon and Meetup

Regularly check Groupon for discounted activities and Meetup events for popular local spots.

Step 4: Leverage ChatGPT and the Web

Use ChatGPT to quickly find creative date ideas. Try prompts like:

• “Suggest unique date ideas in [your city].”
• “Find fun events this weekend in [your area].”

Step 5: Keep a Notes App Handy

Jot down spontaneous ideas:

• Cool street murals
• Local trivia nights
• Farmer’s markets
• Seasonal events

Step 6: Regularly Update Your Ideas

Refresh your list regularly, adding new and removing outdated ideas.

Step 7: Tailor Ideas to Your Interests

Ensure your date ideas reflect your genuine interests. Authenticity is attractive.

Practical Training Exercise: Plan Dates Every Two Weeks

Practice by scheduling new dates every two weeks in advance. If you don’t find a romantic date, go with a friend—your “emotional support buddy.” This helps you:

• Enjoy activities you genuinely like.
• Reduce dating anxiety.
• Build proactive planning habits.
• Have something fun to do with a friend if you struck out that month.

These strategies will make your dating life more fun, relaxed, and stress-free!