a few years ago my friend and I were both single, and we had a conversation about “elevating dating to an art form”
it started out mostly joking but eventually a clear picture emerged: we would strive to make the experience as beautiful as possible for the other person
that meant clear communication, exceptional effort & presence, and, if things weren’t a match, letting them down in a gentle, honest way
it was successful (both of us are now in relationships) but also it made dating fun again. it made it a creative pursuit - how do I create something beautiful here - and dispelled any fatigue or disillusionment
a lot of dating anxiety goes away once you understand the precise ways that you are a valuable person for other people to move towards
of course, if you are acting in ways that are not nourishing/energizing for others, the anxiety will remain