Online Dating: The New Norm?
You’re heading out on the town to your local bar because it’s a Saturday night and you want to have some fun. You are having a good time with your girlfriends and notice a cute guy across the room. He walks over, you both find so much in common and have spent the whole night chatting away. You exchange numbers and agree on a date next weekend.
Well, I am fully confident that this could be a reality for some but definitely not for all, especially in 2021. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match. At least one of those dating apps sounds familiar to you because you have either used one yourself or know someone who has. Now, there is no shame in admitting this because you are definitely not alone. We live in a world where you have access to virtually anything you may need or want at your fingertips.
I personally have used a couple of those dating apps myself. Now, I will not lie to you. It is not always a sunny walk in the park. Dating online is a whole new world compared to that of meeting someone at a bar. Everyone wants to make themselves sound and look better. That is part of being human. However, it is called cat-fishing when it comes to the online world. Being a generally optimistic person myself, I tend to look at online dating through rose-colored glasses. I say this because much like anything we experience in life, the way we approach something is most likely going to determine the outcome.
Online dating has gained popularity in the past five years or so but with the unfortunate presence of the pandemic, it is really the only “safe” option to be able to get to know someone new. Putting yourself out there can be scary and intimidating. Will people like me for me? Will my pictures be good enough? Do I sound funny? However, dating online creates a sort of protective barrier between you and your possible matches. Dating online also means there are plenty of options and you have the ability to connect with people who share the same interests and passions as you. Another positive aspect of meeting someone online is being able to talk to them and hear their voice without leaving the comfort of your own home. This allows you to feel confident in a familiar environment while also being able to interact with someone who you may want to get to know better.
Online dating is definitely a new world for many people. There are a lot of pros and cons that come with this new form of dating. However, these platforms allow people to make connections in more ways than one. Bumble, for example, will ask users what they are looking for while using the app. You have the option of friends, dating, and networking. Although the online world of dating sounds scary and unknown, it really is determined by how you approach it. Maybe you are moving to a new city or country and need someone to give you the local insight. Maybe you are considering a career change and need to meet people in your field of interest. Maybe your best friend moved away and you want to meet more people to expand that social circle. Give it a try, the possibilities are endless.
