Usually I would save this type of writing for something near valentine’s day, but I am remembered that as the weather gets cooler and the need for warm becomes more apparent I am here to remind you all about cuffing season.

For those who are not in the know, cuffing season is the time of year in the fall and winter months where people will find someone to date. During this time it is usually seen as casual dating or a simple beneficial relationship between mutual parties for activities best done when indoors. I am usually not someone to participate during cuffing season but from my years of watching others participate and simply reading the stories that are available online I have compiled a list of to do and to don’ts for cuffing this season.

Do: Explore new options

When entering into the season, you must go in it with the same mentality of finding someone new to date. Whether this mean flexing on your dating profiles online or market yourself out to the people you already know who can set you up, you need to put your best foot forward for the best potential matches.

Don’t: Don’t go too overboard

Never go too bold with trying new things, this is valid advice for anything in life. Don’t dive headfirst into a pretty face. Do your basic background so you know you aren’t hooking someone with dating drama. You are cuffing to have a good time, not to worry if someone is going to show up at your job and try to scare you off. Not only that, you don’t want to pretend to be something you are not. It’s all well and good to get your hair done and change your style a bit, but if someone is planning on being intimate with you, you need to have the real you known.

Do: Talk things over

When you make contact or meet with your potential cuffing partner, make sure to establish ground rules. Will this be only for the season? What boundaries do you have? Would you require constant contact or is this more of a booty call situation. Even if this is temporary, communication is always needed. We don’t want to overstep boundaries and maybe you may discover something you need or even enjoy.

Don’t: Assume the relationship

Never assume the relationship. As mentioned before, communication is key. Maybe you want this cuffing partner to also wine and dine you, but they may want to just netflix and chill. Maybe your partner is looking for something long term while you are only in it for the cuffing season.

Do: Consider extending it

When the season is done and depending on how well you and your partner communicates things, maybe you can consider this person to be more long term. Whether this is extending the relationship you currently have further out to be more long term or changing the relationship to friendship or something serious. You can also use this time to explore what you want for yourself as well, so feel free to be more attuned with your desires.

Don’t: Don’t stay with toxicity

Just like with talking things over with your partner, we also need to recognize warning signs. It is okay to back out of a deal if things become too much for you especially if it eases into the danger category. Just like in any other relationship never tolerate hurtful behavior or someone who tries to manipulate you into doing something you do not want to. Listen to your instincts and let them guide you on the right path.

Do: Keep in contact

or...

Don’t: Never speak of this again

As you can see the last do and don’t can be interchangeable with each other. Depending on your experiences and who you are as a person you may want to keep that person around or maybe just bury the experience in the back of the closet to have it never see the light of day again. Whichever you do, make sure you stay safe,stay smart but try .