As a dating coach, I get daily questions from clients surrounding the entire dating process. This week I have chosen three recent questions, all very different, and my responses.

Question: Now that we’ve given Match some time, I would still like to try Christian Mingle. I’ve always made the mistake of dating someone exclusively too early, so I still want to keep my options open. What do you think? — Antonia, 40, San Francisco

Answer: I think that’s crazy! You really like (him)! Just because you don’t want to be exclusive yet (nor should you be), it doesn’t mean you need to be meeting lots of other people to see if there’s someone better. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s to hold on to a good thing. Definitely move slowly, but why not be excited about him?

Q: If you run across any women who I now gather are “exceptionally beautiful,” please send them to me!

Honestly, none have been close so far. — Gregory, 52, Charlotte, N.C.

A: I fear that what you’re looking for is something that doesn’t exist in real life, and if that’s the case, no matchmaker could ever be successful for you.

I’m fairly convinced that if I sent you Charlize Theron herself on a silver platter, you’d reject her.

And if you were, by some chance, interested, who’s to say that she’s looking for you, too? That’s the other side of the equation.

I’d never tell you to settle. That would be the worst advice I could give.

I can tell you, however, that what you’re looking for is setting yourself up for disappointment. It’s much too narrow, and when you’re basing things solely on look, you’re missing everything else.

I know as well as you do that there has to be an initial and immediate physical attraction, but at what expense? I’d like to see you with someone who does as well — a match, both physically and intellectually.

No one is perfect — not you, not me, no one — but it would be in your best interest to at least get out there a bit … that way even if you meet this diamond in the rough, you’ll be practiced and ready.

I like you very much and want to do everything in my power to get you what you want and will still plan on reaching out if I come across her, but I do believe you’re getting in your own way in this process.

Q: Could we brainstorm some more about what I can do differently to meet Mr. Wonderful? I know we may have discussed this before, but do you think men are scared off by the fact that I’m 63 and have never been married? Of course, they don’t know I was engaged twice and how I’m a committed person. — Eileen, 63, Boston

A: I do believe that some men are perceiving your age and not having been married as a red flag. As I told a client (29-year-old male who is having difficulty because he’s 5-foot-6), we all have perceived red flags that we cannot control.

For men it’s often height. For women it’s often age and/or weight. For the 50-plus crowd there’s a stigma for not having been married before. For the 20-30 crowd there’s a stigma for having been married before … and the list goes on. In other words, you’re not special … in the best way possible.

Erika Ettin is the founder of A Little Nudge, where she helps others navigate the world of online dating. Want to connect with Erika? Join her newsletter, eepurl.com/dpHcH for updates and tips