By Moses Aisida
DATING IN A PANDEMIC
If you do not already know, we are in a global pandemic. The world has somehow managed to wear a post-apocalyptic look, and everyone has been forced indoors. For a species that places so much value on interactions, we have struggled in this pandemic. And like every other thing, dating in these times has also taken a different turn.
Blessing in Disguise
Perhaps, the fact that we are a digital generation with heads planted in social media platforms and quick fingers replacing our voices makes the first step towards finding love easy. Online dating platforms saw a global boost of 82% in the early weeks of the pandemic (Dating.com). Most of these platforms rolled out several features to help their users take a chance at love, and it worked – at least for the first few months.
Chat Loop
Humanity's insatiability - soon, people got tangled in the loop of chatting, and the natural crave for more began to manifest. People who were great at conversations lasted longer, while people who didn’t excel at this got bored. Dating platforms began to see a gradual decline in the number of subscribers and revenue. Another blow for genuine seekers of love.
Focus on the Positives
One thing is certain, there are lots of positives to draw this new form of dating. Virtual conversations allow you to get to know a potential partner in the safety of your personal space. The comfortability, calmness, and safety that one derives from this new format encourages choice – safe choice. Another positive is that it affords one the ability to thoroughly acquaint themselves with potential partners without the complexity that sex throws into new relationships. It becomes easier to know each person’s intentions without the mind-clouding that sexual activities present. Lastly, dating online serves to reduce or eliminate the costs that arise from physical dates. With sex and money absent, it becomes easier for genuine relationships to thrive.
Some Creative Tips
So how do you balance the boring aspect of online dating with the restrictions on meeting people? Here are a few tips that one can use to spice up the quest for love.
Be intentional about what you want.
If truly true love is what you seek, then you must commit to knowing your potential partner as best.
Spice up your conversations with movie dates through Netflix movie sharing, music date through Spotify, virtual dates with Zoom, or other video calling platforms.
Try to be romantic. Send letters through the mail, order lunch for that person, send gifts, make a playlist for them, etc. Just do fun stuff that shows your affection.
Pay attention to the laws put in place, and depending on the ease of restrictions, plan physical dates.
Do not compromise your core values for the sake of love. If someone is not on the same page as you, leave.
Lastly, stay safe.
"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in" — Morrie Schwartz, from Tuesdays with Morrie