How To Return To The Dating World After COVID-19
Let’s be honest here: Dating took a severe hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. With public places – like restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and other venues that single people frequent – closed for over a year, in-person dating fizzled.
Dating apps may have been buzzing with activity, but the follow-through was negligible, as everyone needed to hole up and stay safe.
Are we turning a corner now when it comes to dating? We just might be. As more and more people are getting vaccinated, and restrictions are being lifted, in-person dating is poised to make a comeback.
As much as singles may be itching to get back out there, some challenges lie ahead. After over a year of living in solitude, most are, well, kind of rusty when it comes to dating. A recent survey of 1,000 single women conducted by Nurx, a telehealth platform, reported that 44% of them worry they’re out of practice. That’s not surprising, since 70% had less or no sex the past year.
And then there’s the challenge of how to approach dating. Should you revert to pre-pandemic levels regarding frequency and variety? Or will your dating life take on a whole new look, with carefully chosen partners and widely spaced meetups?
Finally, there’s the question of precautions. Should you date only those who’ve gotten the vaccine? Or only have dates outdoors? Or both?
Make some decisions first
Are you even ready to date? It’s important to be clear with yourself, Rachel DeAlto, chief dating expert at Match, told Mashable. Ask yourself: Do I have the desire and energy to swipe on apps, chat, and meet new people? It’s certainly fine if you’re not ready to take those steps.
But if you are, you need to decide next on what your intentions are. Are you looking for a long-lasting partner or someone just for a night? How often do you want to date?