13 BEST DATING/RELATIONSHIP TIPS FOR TEEN GIRLS

Hey you,

Let’s sit down and have that big sister talk we all wish someone had with us. You know, the kind of talk where no one is judging you, no one is preaching at you, and you’re free to just feel all the feels.

Because if you’re a teenage girl reading this, you’ve probably got some butterflies fluttering in your belly over someone. Or maybe your heart’s already gotten a little dented. Or maybe, just maybe, you’re watching your friends get into relationships and wondering, “Is something wrong with me because I’m not dating yet?”

Girl, breathe.

Everything you’re feeling is valid. You’re not crazy. You’re not weird. You’re not too much. You’re simply a girl growing through a really special — and sometimes confusing — phase of life.

Psychologists like Erik Erikson say the teen years are a time when we’re trying to figure out our identity and craving meaningful intimacy. Fancy talk aside, it means you’re in a season of figuring out who you are while also wanting someone to love you in a deep, meaningful way.

Totally normal.

But here’s where it gets real — the decisions you make during this time can either build you up or break you down. And because girls are usually the ones who carry the emotional scars and consequences of messy relationships, we have to be smart and intentional about how we approach love and dating.

Even though my own teenage years weren’t perfect (trust me, they were not), I came out of it with some battle scars and wisdom. And now, I’m passing that wisdom on to you — heart to heart.

So here it is, with all the love and sass I’ve got in me — the 13 best dating and relationship tips every teen girl needs in her life.

1. The best love you can have is self love

Let’s start with the queen of all tips.

Before you ever say “I love you” to another person, ask yourself — do I love me?

Girl, the way you treat yourself sets the tone for how others will treat you. If you love yourself, you won’t let anyone talk down to you, cheat on you, ignore your feelings, or treat you like a second option.

Self love is not just about bubble baths and selfies. It’s about knowing your worth and refusing to settle.

When you really love yourself, a guy’s “I don’t love you anymore” won’t shatter your world. You’ll be sad, sure. You’ll cry a little. Maybe eat too much chocolate. But your world won’t fall apart — because you were already whole before he came along.

So what is the real secret to emotional strength in a relationship?

Say it with me: Self love.

You’ve got to love the mess, the magic, the flaws, the dreams, the stretch marks, the acne, the awkwardness — everything.

Love yourself so much that it becomes your superpower.

2. Build a healthy self esteem

Let’s break it down.

Self love is about how you treat yourself. Self esteem is about what you believe about yourself.

If you truly believe that you are valuable, beautiful, smart, and worthy of love, then you won’t find yourself begging someone to stay.

You won’t stay in a situationship where he only texts you when he’s bored. You won’t keep waiting for someone who gives you mixed signals.

Because you’ll know your worth.

When your self esteem is healthy, you do not feel like a guy is doing you a favor by being with you. You know it takes two people to make a relationship work. No one is above the other.

You are not a charity case. You are a whole prize.

3. Develop relationships with other teens — boys and girls

Listen, romantic relationships are cool, no lie. But they are not the only kind of relationship that matters in life.

Your teenage years are a prime time to build solid friendships — the kind that are not romantic, but still deeply meaningful.

Hang out with people who make you laugh till your stomach hurts. Talk about your dreams. Play games. Be silly. Create memories.

Trust me, some of these friendships will last way longer than any high school romance ever will.

And when you’re friends with both girls and boys, you learn how to relate with the opposite gender in a healthy, pressure free way.

4. Have a mentor or role model in relationships and career

You do not need to figure everything out by yourself.

Let me say that again for the girl in the back: You do not need to figure everything out by yourself.

Find someone who’s a few steps ahead of you. Someone who’s been through some things. Someone you can learn from.

This could be a big sister, a cool aunt, a couple with a strong marriage, a teacher you admire, or even a character in a book who inspires you.

Talk to them. Ask questions. Observe. Learn from their mistakes. Let their experiences guide you so you don’t have to pay for the same lessons.

It’s wise to have mentors in different areas — relationship, career, money, faith, health. That’s how you grow.

You are not weak for asking for help. You’re actually wise. Very wise.

5. Be selective with your friends. They influence your dating life

Here’s something nobody tells you enough — your friends shape your life.

Who you hang out with will influence how you think, how you dress, how you date, and what you settle for.

If your squad is all about drama and toxic relationships, guess what? You’ll probably end up thinking that kind of chaos is normal.

But if your friends are strong, smart, and supportive, you’ll feel empowered to make better choices.

Make sure your circle respects you and encourages you to value yourself.

Real friends will talk you out of toxic love, not push you deeper into it.

6. Do not develop a crush that crushes you

Okay, let’s talk crushes. They are fun, exciting, and sometimes totally intoxicating.

But please, do not let your crush become an obsession that messes with your peace of mind.

You know the kind — when you start rearranging your entire schedule just to walk past him at lunch. When you feel sad all day because he did not say hi. When you’re stalking his profile like it’s a full time job.

Girl, pause.

A crush is just that — a crush. It is not your destiny. It is not your identity. It is not your oxygen.

Enjoy it, but do not let it hijack your brain.

And before you pour your heart out, ask yourself — is this crush even based on who he really is, or just who you want him to be?

Big difference.

7. Get a life outside romance. Discover your passions

Please read this one three times if you need to.

You are allowed to have dreams that have nothing to do with a boy.

Discover what lights you up. Try painting. Dance like nobody’s watching. Start a blog. Join a club. Learn how to code. Learn how to cook. Play sports. Volunteer.

Find joy in you.

Because when you build a life you love, you will not settle for someone who does not fit into it.

There are billions of people in the world, and the dating world will still be here next year and the year after. But your teenage years? Once they are gone, they are gone.

So live fully, love boldly, and develop the heck out of yourself.

8. Do not have sex to please anyone

This one is serious, babe.

If you take nothing else from this post, take this — your body is sacred.

Do not give it away just because someone is sweet talking you. Or pressuring you. Or because you are scared he will leave if you say no.

Anyone who makes you feel like you need to trade your body for love is not someone who truly cares about you.

You have dreams to chase. A future to protect. And so much to lose if you let someone else write your story for you.

Be wise. Be safe. Be strong.

9. Love and accept your body

You are beautiful. Yes, you.

With your hip dips, stretch marks, full cheeks, skinny arms, curly hair, acne, or whatever makes you feel “less than.”

You are not less than. You are just human.

Do not let magazines, TikTok trends, or filtered Instagram bodies make you hate the very body that is carrying you through life.

Accept your flaws. Love them. When you do, no one else can use them against you.

10. Do not let love make you do foolish things

I once watched a true crime story about a girl who helped her boyfriend rob a store. He said he needed her. She said yes. Now they are both doing time in separate prisons.

And she was just seventeen.

Let me tell you something.

Love should not make you stupid.

If you ever feel like you are losing yourself or your morals in the name of love, that is not love. That is manipulation.

Take your heart with you, but please do not leave your brain behind.

11. Have a relationship with your Creator

Nope, it is not old fashioned. It is actually one of the wisest moves you can make.

When you connect with God, you are grounded. You have clarity. You hear that still small voice that tells you “this guy is not for you” before the heartbreak hits.

God will always love you right. Always.

And when you know you are loved by the Creator of the universe, you won’t go around begging anyone else for crumbs.

12. Do not be in a rush

Girl, slow down. What are you rushing for?

You have your whole life ahead of you to date, fall in love, get married, build a life with someone.

But you only get one chance to be a teenager.

Enjoy it. Laugh a lot. Learn new things. Cry if you need to. Make memories. Grow.

And when the right love comes, you’ll be ready — because you did the work on yourself first.

13. Never lose yourself in a relationship

This one’s huge.

You were someone before he came into your life. And you are still someone if he walks away.

You are more than someone’s girlfriend.

You are your own person. You have goals, passions, gifts, flaws, and dreams that deserve attention.

So stay grounded in you. Love hard, but do not disappear in someone else’s shadow.

Final Words from Big Sis

There you have it, queen. Thirteen truths from my heart to yours.

Dating as a teen can be confusing, fun, messy, exciting, painful, and everything in between.

But if you remember who you are, love yourself like crazy, and keep your eyes wide open, you will be just fine.

You’ve got this.

And if no one has told you today, let me be the first — you are enough.

Now go live, learn, laugh, and love smart.

I’m rooting for you. Always.