I’m not necessarily saying start as friends, than become partners. More like just don’t put pressure on first dates to meet “the one”. Go to your first date with a mindset like: I am just going to hang out with (hopefully) a nice person. If it romantically/sexually clicks, then hell yeah. If it doesn’t? No wasted time, still enjoyed hanging out with this person.

That way you take the pressure away of having to meet the right/perfect person, and just enjoy the company you have right now.