While it might be a little late to find the love of your life in time for this Valentine’s Day, there is no reason why this time next year you cannot prepare to spend a day of affection snuggled up to your sweetheart. If you are searching for Mr. or Mrs. Right, here are some tips to help you out.

Join a dating app or website

In the modern age of smartphones and apps, this is an apparent answer, particularly for people who are shy or time-poor. Tinder has totally changed dating scene around the globe. For those who do not know, Tinder is an app on your phone where you create a profile that enables you to enter a few details and a photo. You then set the gender you are searching for, the age range you are searching for, and also the distance you want to travel to find love before meeting a profile that fits your needs. If you like what you see, you’ll swipe right. If you are not impressed, it is a swipe left. When two people say yes to one another, you will get a notification, and a private message option will open.

Today, the platform is densely populated by people in their twenties, and definitely many of them who aren’t searching for long-term love. However, that doesn’t suggest your Prince Charming or Cinderella (or Tinderella?) is not right there waiting for you. There are other dating apps and platforms out there, all with varying degrees of formality. What’s the loss?

Ask for the services of a dating coach

Ask for the services of a dating coach or expert

A NYC Dating Coach will teach you how to be truly genuine with yourself and help you recognize the mistakes you have made in your dating life so far. You’ll find out how being yourself is the way to find real love, where Tinder and speed dating and whatnot do not get you the results you’d expect.

Join a group

Even if you do not find love here, you are sure to find a new hobby and new friends! Explore your local area and see what’s up groups and classes are out there that interest you. Maybe hiking, life drawing classes, pottery – whatever floats your boat! This is among the least scary ways to meet someone, and you will have a lot in common!

ask a friend

Your friends know you well. They’ll know what you like and do not like, and will likely hear all about your dating debacle. They may have mutual friends that they can hook you up with on blind dates or group dates, to break the ice.

Finding love does not must be difficult. Of course, it is not something to be rushed into, but with a little creativity and courage, you can find the perfect match for you next Valentine’s Day.