I’m carefully examining every bit of email that comes to me about writing these days, and one the headlines posed the question of “heart or heart” in relation to writing. It is certainly a valid question in that context, but it sent me off on a completely different path, and I started thinking about it in terms of dating. So, now I pose the question to you: do you start on a dating path using your heart as a guide, or your head?

I’m not a wildly emotional person in most situations. I tend to be overly analytical. I’m a big fan of the “Pro and Con” lists. So, when I was faced with the prospect of dating again after such a long time, I assumed that I would approach it with rational purpose. I was going to be “Head” driven the entire way. Turns out that my approach to actually getting back into the dating arena was nearly an even split between the two.

I threw up a lot of barriers (which I suppose you could say was an emotional/fear reaction, but I thought they were reasonable objections at the time). I spent a lot of time wondering if certain things were logical, listing all the ways my life would change, analyzing my need and/or capacity for that kind of change in my life, etc.

But even though I was throwing out what I thought were perfectly reasoned and logical-based objections, for some reason I kept going back for more. Somehow, my heart was engaging even though my head was at least somewhat resistant. It wasn’t until I got them both in sync that I began to open up and explore the possibilities.

So, I’m curious about you guys.  Do you lead with your heart instead of your head in dating situations? Is it only dating that turns that way for you? Have you ever wished for a greater balance?