Now isn’t really a great time to be dating – or, at least, not in the traditional sense – when we didn’t have to navigate through the unfamiliar waters of social distancing and being perpetually homebound.
Face-to-face dating was, not so very long ago, a part of everyday life for many people – midday coffee meet-ups, drinks after work, or dinner and a movie were all social activities that we could enjoy while pursuing romance. With the COVID-19 crisis making that all but impossible for the time being, those who would have been dating now risk feeling even more isolated.
But there are also many opportunities for single people to find meaningful connections right now – even if that means not actually engaging with someone else face-to-face. Thanks to technology and dating apps, it’s still possible to socialize and create and nurture new relationships. These tips can help you approach dating’s new normal in a healthy and positive way.
Reconsider your expectations
Thinking back over the last several weeks, how has your view of dating changed or evolved? What about your goals – has spending time alone made you reconsider casual dating versus finding something more long-term?
This is a good time to contemplate and reflect, ask yourself some important questions, and reconsider your dating expectations. By figuring out what your goals are, you’ll have a clear idea of what to spend your emotional energy on.
Take things at a comfortable pace
The prospect of meeting potential new romantic partners online right now can be very exciting for some – especially after spending so much time alone. However, it’s helpful to remember that forming new emotional connections with others doesn’t always happen right away.
If you maintain a realistic approach to online dating, rather than searching out that head-over-heels feeling, you can work towards developing an important emotional balance.
Maintain a balance with your other priorities
Even though you’re feeling cooped up, there are probably many other things you’ve been adding to your quarantine to-do list. This time is a great opportunity to develop a balance between your dating goals and your other interests and priorities that have a positive effect on your life.
Communicate
Perhaps the time you’ve spent during COVID-19 has provided you with an opportunity to think about how you communicate with others. If you’re working on improving your communication skills – maybe for you this means being more forthright, being more inquisitive with others, or expressing yourself in clearer ways.
Through communicating more effectively, you can express your anxieties, fears and emotional needs, while also understanding the other person’s as well.
Protect your emotions
Many of us are feeling emotionally vulnerable right now as it is. Once you add dating and romance to the equation, things can get even more complicated! To that end, it helps to remember that, even online, we can encounter people and situations that affect us negatively.
If you’re concerned, try to pay attention to your emotions – how is the other person making you feel? If the answer is less than great, you may want to reconsider the value of the relationship, and whether it’s in your best interest.
