By Sally Lizwa
Dating has never been, and will never be, perfect. With the pandemic upon us, getting a relationship off the ground becomes even more complicated.
The old rules of dating do not seem to matter anymore. With Valentine’s Day being just the other day, many singles found loneliness lurking and it was not merry anymore. Many became creative and the day was replaced with other activities such as ‘Galantines Day’- Day with your female friends.
Most singles opted to join dating apps like Tinder and Bumble not only to kill quarantine boredom but also with the hopes of scoring themselves a partner.
“A study in 2019 found that compulsive use of dating apps made swipers feel lonelier than they did before logging. Apps like Bumble and Tinder have seen conversations on the apps surge 19-26% since the start of pandemic lockdowns in mid-March.” Writes Leila Rocker of Today.
Many have also taken this time in quarantine to self-reflect, which has helped pave the way to finding healthier relationships. This time has also given people a lot of clarity into what they want in life. It has shown life is short and at the end of the day, relationships do matter.
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A lot of people have used this time to do self-work, especially in the period of quarantine, where it did not feel like there was any way to meet someone. Virtual dates have also made people throw their old notions of dating out of the window, as they have been forced to get creative.
During this time of uncertainty, countless single men and women are experiencing an increase in loneliness. Many express worries, doubt, and fear that they might never find someone. But the truth is that the potential for meeting and getting to know someone does not have to decrease during challenging times. Interestingly enough, the potential to find love and connection can increase, not in spite of what is going on in the world right now but because of it.
At our core, everyone wants to love and be loved. Romantic love is where intimate partnerships are born, along with the hope that they grow and thrive. During this period of increased solitude, it is important that before you venture out into the world of dating, you have turned within to inquire, explore, and connect more deeply with your authentic self.
Ensure you have discovered, unlearned, and released former misguided assumptions, projections, patterns, and hidden roadblocks that hijacked and sabotaged your previous romantic relationships. You now know more about who you are and your worth, and you know what and whom you are seeking.
Good Luck!
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