Monterey Peninsula - 65° Magazine

Find Your Solid Self
BY Andrea Stuart
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT JESSE
Single-dom. It’s not a plague. In fact, Cheryl Ann
Savage, a Monterey Bay Area success and dating
coach, is hitting the subject head-on, dispelling
the myths of what it means to be single by working
with women to help them realize their full potential
as individuals.
Whether a woman has entered a new phase of
her life through divorce, the loss of a spouse, or
because she has spent her life in a career, it’s never
too late to rebuild the foundation for happiness.
Savage assists women by empowering them to look
past their preconceived notions and expectations
and to apply different strategies to living life.
Step 1: Analyze.
When re-emerging in the dating scene, women
often feel like wallflowers at a junior high school
dance. Many women haven’t dated in years
and aren’t familiar with the “rules” of dating or
being a single woman. Savage says this is a time
to get in touch with your younger, curious, and
excited side. You can stay out late! You don’t
have to check in! And, you can date multiple
people simultaneously! That’s right! It’s a time for
reflection, to look into the self, and learn about
who you are and what you want. Savage tells
women to stop dwelling on the disappointments
of the past and, instead, encourages them to ask:
Who am I? What am I doing? What do I want?
What are my concerns? The answers to these
questions help Savage assist women in refreshing
and renewing. This means discovering new
activities, making new friends, taking long-put-off
trips, going back to school, and more.
Step 2: Brainstorm.
Savage understands that the idea of something can
seem easier than putting it into fruition. That’s why
she coaches women on how to set up and follow
through with their goals. If a woman is interested in
dating again, Savage offers a road map and tools
for successful dating. She helps women tackle
the “what-ifs” and the “dos and don’ts” of each
dating scenario, guiding them to become openminded.
Though, Savage warns that many women
don’t really know how to date. “We all judge ideas,
ourselves, and others according to other people’s
rules. I teach women to tailor their expectations
based on where they are now,” said Savage. “It’s
also about not taking things so seriously. It’s about
having fun and exploring new possibilities.”
Step 3: Action.
Dating takes practice. The best way to become
more independent is by getting out there. Savage
insists that women who want to date must rid
themselves of previous ideas. And they must not
compare any man they date with the ones before.
“This step is about recognizing feelings that come
up, and empowering responsibility,” Savage
explained. The end result is the emergence of an
independent woman who can go out by herself
with confidence.
“I can give tools, techniques, and teach the
process, but women need to have fun, be light
hearted, and loving.” said Savage. “They need to
work on themselves to become what they want. It’s
important to have more joyful women out there.
We are nurturers. We must find our inner selves
and be happy.”
Cheryl Savage
Success and Dating Coach
831-521-8762
www.cherylannsavage.com
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