Dating in a Pandemic!!

If there was a single true representation of my dating life, then this is it!!

Me: I think I’m ready to date again…
The Universe: Oh yeah? *releases worldwide virus preventing all human interaction
Me: Well played.

Memes have definitely exploded in numbers lately and there doesn’t seem to be a second that goes by when I’m not tagged in one, or open up my messages to a barrage of them. When I came across that one it made me chuckle so much that I thought I would write a little post about dating during a global pandemic. Knowing my luck my “Mr Right” was probably meant to be crossing my path during this last month, but thanks to Covid 19 he’s now a goner. 😉

Offline dating seems near impossible nowadays, so throw in a 2-metre distance rule and you can say goodbye to the perfect little meet cute! Unless of course you lock eyes with the Amazon delivery driver as he wings a parcel up your garden path ( no innuendo intended).

So online dating is pretty much the most effective way to communicate with a potential date right now. With the forced nature of staying in we now have a prolonged period of time to get to know someone in a little more detail. Details that extend beyond more than just their occupation and where they enjoy going out for dinner.

Online dating has become ( in my eyes) so fast paced you feel a little bit like a piece of sushi at Yo Sushi… whizzing around the conveyor belt until you tickle someone’s fancy. Then, before you know it you’ve been shoved to one side and stacked with the rest of them whilst they crack on with the next! It has become easy to write someone off so soon thinking there is someone better out there. I feel this time now offers the opportunity to really get to know someone a little more. Slowing down that fast paced dating life we have become so accustomed to, giving someone more of a chance.  

With this in mind I thought I would create a little pros and cons list of dating during this time. 😊

+ Dating can sometimes feel like a full time job. We have now been offered the opportunity to invest in some quality time to get to know someone without so many everyday distractions.

x The unknown time frames of when you can actually meet is a little hard, BUT there is an element of excitement when it comes to the creativity of creating a virtual first date. This could be via Zoom or Facetime and can be a dinner date or a quiz… keep it fun and light- hearted. An extra bonus is you can blame your crappy Wi-Fi signal if you want to cut the date short…. No having to think of some awful excuse to get yourself out of an awkward date…. WINNER!!

+ On the flip side if you have become a little tired with the tedious realm of dating this time can provide the perfect little rest bite. It can offer a pause and the opportunity to work on your own hobbies and past times. This understanding of your genuine passions and interests may open up and offer new connections later down the line.

+ Apps like Tinder have become renowned for a quick fling which thankfully is a no go zone during the pandemic. This increases the chances of more genuine people setting up a profile for something a little more serious.  Finally the opportunity to  match with someone who is truly interested in getting to know YOU on a deeper level…. More than anything a quick drink at the local pub can uncover.

x A restricted radius makes it’s a little tricky to come across new connections. This could have meant that the postman is the only new connection that would pop up each day. Apps like Tinder and Bumble however, have made this a little easier by offering a passport/travel mode feature allowing you to set your location to somewhere else in the world. Cue finding yourself a cute American… a girl can dream of moving to the States right?

x The spark and excitement can feel like it’s lost quite quickly in lockdown as days can often feel a little bit like groundhog day.
Conversation can feel like it’s drying up or just simply not that exciting if all your days are the same. DON’T FORCE IT. This whole situation is one that’s out of the norm for all of us. Don’t see it as a sign you are not compatible, but just manage each other’s expectation of how you’re feeling. Keep things fresh and exciting and don’t feel like you have to text all day every day. And obviously those conversations that bore the tits off you don’t feel like you have to continue to entertain them at all.

+ Because time for once is a little more on our side how about expanding beyond your normal type? Be open to initiating conversations with someone that doesn’t fit your usual go to! We have the time to explore and get to know different people. This doesn’t always have to come from a romantic place, but a place to learn new things and make connections with new people. I have met some of the most interesting and wonderful friends since being single and dating, so don’t always see it as a quest for love interests.

Don’t forget it’s also ok to put a pause on dating during this time, scrap that… actually it’s ok to put a pause on it anytime. Scrap the idea that there is a time frame in which you should meet someone. If you’re not enjoying it, take a break. Dating is meant to be fun and exciting...  what is meant for you will never pass you by.

Side note….. Thoughts go out to all the players and serial cheaters who I’m sure are really struggling during this time 😉 shame that !!!!

I would love to hear how you are navigating your way through singledom in lockdown.

*Image credit for the first image is Pratik Gupta 
**Image credit for the second image is Charles Deluvio
***Image credit for the third image is Free as a mustard seed