If you want to start a conversation that allows you and your partner to be more emotionally vulnerable, Ury recommends starting with some questions.

“Some people feel more comfortable sharing when they’ve been asked a question first,” she explains. “Help your date dig in by asking them follow-up questions, encouraging them to go deeper.

“For example, if they talk about their job, ask ‘What surprises you most about your career?’ or ‘What would 16-year-old you think of what you’re doing now?’ You can use thoughtful questions to shape the conversation.”

While the idea of being emotionally vulnerable in front of someone you’ve just met may seem intimidating, it’s clear that pushing yourself to be more open on first dates could be beneficial down the line. At the end of the day, relationships are all about knowing each other better than anyone else – and what better time to start that process than at the very start?

Why emotional vulnerability has become a must-have for daters in 2022