Do you have a physical “type” that you always go for when dating? Maybe you prefer blondes over brunettes, tall over short, slim over curvy, or vice versa. Maybe you have a specific ethnicity, race, or nationality that you are attracted to. Maybe you have a list of deal-breakers that you use to filter out potential matches.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be limiting your dating pool and missing out on some great opportunities. Having a physical “type” is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can also be a sign of bias, prejudice, or narrow-mindedness. In this article, we will discuss why you should ditch your physical “type” and date beyond your usual preferences. We will also give you some tips on how to overcome your biases and assumptions and open yourself up to new possibilities.

The benefits of dating beyond your “type”

Dating beyond your “type” can have many benefits, both for yourself and for your potential matches. Here are some of them:

• You can expand your dating pool and increase your chances of finding someone compatible. According to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, online daters tend to pursue people who are 25% more desirable than themselves. This means that they are competing with many other people for the same matches, and may end up being rejected or ignored. By dating beyond your “type”, you can avoid this problem and explore more options that may suit you better.
• You can learn new things and grow as a person. Dating someone who is different from you can expose you to new perspectives, cultures, experiences, and interests. You can learn from each other and broaden your horizons. You can also challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. This can help you develop new skills, knowledge, and confidence.
• You can break stereotypes and promote diversity. Dating someone who is different from you can help you break the stereotypes and prejudices that you may have about them. You can see them as individuals, not as categories. You can also show others that love is not limited by physical appearance or social norms. You can celebrate diversity and embrace differences.

How to overcome your biases and assumptions

Dating beyond your “type” may sound appealing, but it may also be challenging. You may face some internal or external obstacles that prevent you from doing so. Here are some tips on how to overcome them:

• Be aware of your biases and assumptions. The first step is to acknowledge that you have biases and assumptions about certain people based on their physical appearance or other characteristics. These biases and assumptions may come from your personal experiences, social influences, media representations, or subconscious preferences. They may affect how you perceive, judge, or interact with others. You can use tools like the Implicit Association Test or the Project Implicit to measure your implicit biases and learn more about them.
• Challenge your biases and assumptions. The second step is to challenge your biases and assumptions by seeking evidence that contradicts them or supports alternative views. You can do this by reading books, articles, or blogs that offer different perspectives on the people or groups that you have biases or assumptions about. You can also watch movies, shows, or documentaries that portray them in a positive or realistic light. You can also talk to people who belong to those groups or have dated them and ask them about their experiences and opinions.
• Date beyond your “type”. The third step is to actually date beyond your “type” by being open-minded and curious about others. You can do this by using dating apps or websites that allow you to search for matches based on criteria other than physical appearance, such as personality, values, hobbies, or goals. You can also join events or activities that attract people from different backgrounds or interests, such as meetups, clubs, classes, or volunteer work. You can also ask your friends or family to set you up with someone who is different from your usual preferences.

Dating beyond your “type” can be a rewarding and enriching experience that can benefit both yourself and your potential matches. It can help you expand your dating pool, learn new things, grow as a person, break stereotypes, and promote diversity.

However, dating beyond your “type” may also require some effort and courage to overcome your biases and assumptions. You may need to be aware of them, challenge them, and date beyond them.

Remember, having a physical “type” is not wrong, but it is not everything either. There is more to a person than their appearance or characteristics. There is more to dating than matching with someone who fits your ideal image.

So don’t limit yourself by sticking to your “type”. Open yourself up to new possibilities by dating beyond it.