It’s kind of cool having a life coach and dating expert as a close friend.

My friend Andrea Syrtash and I met at a digital media party a few years ago. When she told me that she worked as a dating coach, my first instinct was to smuggle her away for several hours to pick her brain.

Since that day, Andrea has helped me during my many heightened relationship moments in my life. She’s always that calm voice helping me snap out of my fears. I’ve always said that one day she’ll be the Rachael Ray of dating. She’s already well on her way; Rodale just published her book, “He’s Just Not Your Type and That’s a Good Thing.”

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Step one: Love yourself.
Step two: Refer to step one.

I used to hate it when I heard people expound that old adage, You can’t love someone until you learn to love yourself. What exactly does that mean? How do you consciously love yourself? Sure, I can sit in front of the mirror and blow kisses. I can put my arms around myself and squeeze.

I’ve tried it. I don’t think it works.

So how about this little twist on that old adage? No one is going to love you more than you love yourself. I started thinking about the men I’ve dated; many of whom left much to be desired on the whole “love-giving” front. So maybe I do need figure out how to love myself more.

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