When you become a teenager and are first allowed to date, it is like a whole new world is opened up to you. Suddenly you have much more freedom to explore the world of the opposite sex, and to learn what kinds of things you are looking for in a romantic relationship.

As a high school and even a college student, your environment conspires with you to provide numerous opportunities for enjoyable and affordable dates. Events like football games, homecoming dances, and late night runs to Krispy Kreme for some “hot and now” donuts abound, and usually do not require you to spend a lot of money in order to enjoy a nice time together.

But then as a young adult, an interesting shift takes place. Generally young adults graduate from college and go directly into a job, which means that they have many more financial resources at their disposal. But at the same time that money becomes more plentiful, free time and energy often decrease. So that by the time you have the ability to pay for more expensive dating opportunities like concerts and dinners at nice restaurants, you often lack the time or the energy to enjoy them. It is also possible that by this time you are in a serious, long-term relationship, and have been with the same person for a long time. Often this familiarity can also lead to a decrease in the desire and initiative to go to the effort of going out on an actual date.

So what can you do to add a little “zing” back into your dating life as an adult? Here are a few strategies that can help add an extra level of enjoyment to the time you spend with your significant other.

Get Rid Of Your Stories

Sometimes we can become dissatisfied with our present life because we think it has to match up to a certain ideal we’ve made up in our minds. Ask yourself if you might not be enjoying possible dating opportunities simply because they don’t match a certain picture you’re holding in your mind.

Become Mindful

Make a point to notice any activities you enjoy doing together that are already a natural part of your life, like gardening or watching a favorite TV show. Take a moment the next time they come up to consciously recognize the time you’re about to spend together as a special date. A date can be something routine…all it takes is a little bit of effort to make it special.