Love on Lockdown: Navigating Dating During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Several months deep into a global pandemic, many of the daily activities we took for granted have become increasingly difficult. We are unable to go to the store without wearing a mask and sanitizing within an inch of our lives. We can’t hang out in the park, or go to a restaurant, or to see shows. We can’t even go and see our friends. Finding love? Out of the question—maybe?
If you swore that 2020 was going to be your year for finding ‘the one’, you may feel as though that ambition has fallen flat as a result of worldwide lockdown. However, in self-isolation, many people are still out to seek that romantic connection.
Maybe you were going steady with somebody and now want to find new and interesting ways to continue to get to know them during this anxiety-inducing time.
Whatever your romantic status, here are some tips to get you through this time.
Don’t feel pressured into downloading ALL OF THE APPS
You know how it goes. You download apps that you swear you’ll use every day- brain training or language learning apps, for example, only to do that for a couple of days and forget about them afterward. It can be a bit like that with dating apps. You log in and swipe a few times and then close the app for several days or weeks at a time.
For the most part with dating apps, you are dealing with real people. It’s not a game. The pictures in the apps are linked to real people who are looking to make a connection. In order to forge meaningful relationships- while also clearing out unsolicited d*ck pic DMs like some sort of chlamydia treatment, you need to be able to take the time and have the resilience to sift through and find the people who are out there to start genuine, honest relationships with others.
If dating apps aren’t something that can take a dedicated amount of time to deal with, then it’s perfectly fine to want or need to take some time off.
Work on your ‘true’ image
The online dating world is as much (or more) about image than anything else. People formulate opinions about others based on what they read. So the image shared is even more important- especially since it will be a much longer time before meeting people in person for the first time and you get to learn their mannerisms etc.
Salons are closed at the moment, and many people are showing their true colors (read: roots) more than ever. As much as we are able to play around with makeup, this might be a time to embrace the natural you and unashamedly show ‘this is what I actually look like’.
Utilize video technology
While each one of us has the option to remain anonymous online, sparking a connection with somebody when you have only seen the pictures they have chosen to share is challenging.
Take the plunge and ask them if they’d like to video chat.
There are so many apps and websites that allow us to do this, which are growing increasingly crucial during these times. Why should it be any different when you’re trying to get to know somebody?
So get on zoom, skype, whereby, or whatever you choose and treat your first video chats like a first date- get dressed and made up as you would, and maybe set some mood lighting for the occasion, too.
How to Go The Distance
For people already in longer-term relationships, you may be experiencing the challenge of maintaining a ‘long-distance’ relationship for the first time.
This will bring a lot of new challenges with it. Experts in LDRs (ie. People that have been in them) will tell you that communication is increasingly important when there are factors beyond your control keeping you apart.
Additionally, make special time for each other, whether that is preparing a meal together through video chat, or by watching Netflix shows and video chatting using apps such as ‘Scener’. Now is the most important time to stay connected with those you love.
Don’t pile on the pressure
We have more time to do things right now, but our energy levels don’t always align with that.
If you realized that your house was burning down, you would use all of this extra time you have to deal with the fire immediately- not take your time just because you have it.
Periods of crisis are much the same- our time and energy have to be used on different things- not what you feel you should be doing. Be kind to yourself.
