If you’ve ever left a first date feeling deflated, disappointed, or questioning if you’ll ever meet someone, this is for you.

I dive into the exact things I tell myself after a disastrous first date: the reminders, re-frames, and confidence resets that stop me from spiralling into “I’m unlovable” territory. Dating is full of highs and lows, and one bad date doesn’t define your worth.

In this episode of The Date with Confidence Podcast, I share how I shift my mindset, process the frustration, and move forward with confidence (or take a break when I need to). Plus, I give some practical steps to help you reset and get back into a healthy dating headspace.

Whether your last date left you feeling flat, frustrated, or ready to delete the apps altogether, this episode will help you bounce back stronger.

Tune in now to hear:

1. How I feel after a bad first date

2. What actually counts as a “bad” first date

3. Don't take a bad first date personally (you're not unlovable)

4. How to stop a bad date from making you spiral

5. Can this bad date teach me anything?

6. A bad date is just a bad date

7. Practical confidence resets after a disappointing date

8. Why it’s okay to take a break from dating

9. Happy Hour: I know I said I wouldn't try this but...

10. My dating update: Am I finally back on the apps?!

11. Your dating dilemma: “I went on a bad first date and now he’s asked me for a second - I feel guilty saying no, what should I do?”

🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube

Mentioned:

Important Things I Tell Myself Before A First Date

The ‘Near-Perfect’ Date That Became An Hilarious Nightmare

He Asked Me To Send Photos And Lied About His Age

This Is The Energy You Need To Take With You On A First Date

Get Involved!

You can contribute your stories to the Date with Confidence Podcast here. Share your best or worst dating stories, your biggest icks, dating tips you think everyone should know or ask me anything about my dating life or a burning question you need an answer for.

Support The Date with Confidence Podcast

If you'd like to show your support for the podcast, you can do so in these ways:

1) Share the podcast with your friends

2) Leave me a review on iTunes stating what you love most about the podcast so more people can find it

3) Buy me a coffee to express your gratitude for the episodes if you found them helpful, inspiring or entertaining

Visit The Date with Confidence website here. Follow your host Rebecca Hawkes on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 72: This Is The Energy You Need To Take With You On A First Date

Be honest—have you ever planned your wedding with someone you haven’t even met yet?

And then felt totally let down when they rocked up in a tracksuit and picked their nose through dinner?

(Yeah… I’ve been there too.)

After a 4-year dating break, I made a huge mistake: I over-romanticised first dates before they even happened. I’d build a whole fantasy based on a few messages, imagining instant chemistry and fairy-tale moments… only to feel disappointed when reality didn’t match the story in my head.

In this episode of The Date with Confidence Podcast, I share why this mindset is unfair to both you and your date, and how shifting your energy, expectations, and self-talk can make first dates more fun, pressure-free, and genuinely enjoyable.

I also answer a listener’s dating dilemma on how to look and feel confident for a first date (even when you’re not feeling it inside). From go-to outfits to pre-date mindset hacks, you’ll walk away with simple, practical tips you can use straight away.

Tune in now to hear:

1. The biggest dating mistake I made after a 4-year break

2. Why over-romanticising first dates sets you up for disappointment

3. How to bring “open energy” instead of pressure to your dates

4. Simple mindset shifts to leave past bad dates behind

5. Dating dilemma: “I’m a single mum who’s just started dating, how can I look and feel confident even when I don’t feel it inside?”

6. The “first date outfit” test that works every time

7. Quick pre-date hacks: playlists, self-talk, and confidence boosts

🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube

Get Involved!

You can contribute your stories to the Date with Confidence Podcast here. Share your best or worst dating stories, your biggest icks, dating tips you think everyone should know or ask me anything about my dating life or a burning question you need an answer for.

Support The Date with Confidence Podcast

If you'd like to show your support for the podcast, you can do so in these ways:

1) Share the podcast with your friends

2) Leave me a review on iTunes stating what you love most about the podcast so more people can find it

3) Buy me a coffee to express your gratitude for the episodes if you found them helpful, inspiring or entertaining

Visit The Date with Confidence website here. Follow your host Rebecca Hawkes on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 71: You Need To Hold Yourself To High Standards Too (It's Not Just About Him)

Be honest, are you holding yourself to the same dating standards you expect from others?

In this episode of The Date with Confidence Podcast, I share a big shift I’ve made in my dating mindset—one that’s honestly changed everything. We always talk about what we want from someone else: effort, communication, chemistry, connection. But are you showing up in the same way you want them to? I’m diving deep into the dating standards you hold for yourself.

Because you can't control how someone else shows up, but you can choose the energy, effort, and self-respect you bring to the table.

Plus: I share examples of the standards I hold myself to, habits I’ve worked on, and why holding yourself to high standards makes it so much easier to walk away from people who aren’t a match.

I also share some Happy Hour excitement (spoiler: it involves a spicy margarita) and talk about the difference between compromise and self-abandonment in dating.

If you’ve ever ghosted yourself, ignored your boundaries, or let chemistry override red flags—this one’s for you.

Tune in now to hear:

1. What dating standards for yourself actually look like

2. How to tell when you’re not holding your own standards

3. Why "the vibe" might be clouding your judgment

4. Journal prompts to set realistic, self-respecting dating rules

5. Why holding standards for you makes it easier to walk away

6. Why I end things quickly when there’s no connection

7. How I show up physically, emotionally, and energetically for dating

8. The unattractiveness of self-abandonment disguised as “being nice”

9. Dating dilemma: “How do I hold standards without giving in to fear of missing out?”

Mentioned:

The Truth: You’re Actually Obsessed With Yourself, Not Him

How to Overcome Anxious Attachment When Dating Someone New

Your Dating Profile: How To Write One, When To Update It, What Not To Include

🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube

Get Involved!

You can contribute your stories to the Date with Confidence Podcast here (leave me a voice note!!)

Support The Date with Confidence Podcast

If you'd like to show your support for the podcast, you can do so in these ways:

1) Share the podcast with your friends

2) Leave me a review on iTunes stating what you love most about the podcast so more people can find it

3) Buy me a coffee to express your gratitude for the episodes if you found them helpful, inspiring or entertaining

Visit The Date with Confidence website here. Follow your host Rebecca Hawkes on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.