Just a month ago, people spent Friday nights at the bar or club, dancing it out and meeting all sorts of people. Meanwhile, people enjoyed weekends by engaging in Sunday brunches, cafe dates, and casual walks at the park. However, the WHO finally announced the severity of the COVID-19 coronavirus and officially labelled it as a pandemic. From then on, the world stood at a standstill. Now, governments around the globe have imposed strict quarantine and lockdown procedures in the name of public health. For the majority, that means staying at home for the foreseeable future.
Staying at home for weeks on end can be detrimental to not only your social life but also to your chances of finding a life partner. Staying in social isolation, after all, means that you cannot go out and meet a prospective significant other. But it is the 21st century, and at the turn of the decade, there are plenty of ways by which you can meet a life partner despite all odds. Here are some ways you can go about your search for a life partner in the Corona Virus era.
Dating Apps
Your life partner can be one swipe away — literally. With so many dating apps on the market, including the crowd-favourite Tinder, you can scan through users’ profiles and determine whether or not you find them interesting by swiping left or right. Simply create an account and initiate a conversation. But be careful: there can be plenty of trolls, catfishers, and perverts online. Consider using Bumble if you are a girl, as it requires women to initiate conversations first. That way, no unwanted pictures are going to spam your inbox!
While you may hold reservations against the prospect of finding a match online, dating apps have lost some of their stigmas over the years. It has become the most popular method for couples in the US to connect, and the rest of the world is quickly following this trend.
Traditional ways of meeting a match have come to a decline, and realistically, it is more challenging to muster up the courage to say hello to someone at the club than to send a quick message. You will not be meeting up with your matches anytime soon, but idle days at home mean that everyone has the time for a good conversation. That may be the springboard you need to meet your future life partner.
Online Communities
If you are not a massive fan of the idea of making a Tinder or Bumble account, then consider meeting people through a shared interest. There are plenty of online communities that bring together individuals who partake in the same hobbies, fandoms, erotic adventure and the like. Reddit is a good example. You can find subreddits dedicated to just about any topic in the world, participate in thread conversations, and even create group chats with newfound friends. While dating-specific subreddits exist, you can also join one you are genuinely interested in and wait for love to bloom.
Additionally, if you are a fan of online games, then you can meet a significant other through multiplayer features, Steam communities, and Discord servers. Likewise, there are forums dedicated to meeting people online. Consider joining one and see how things go. You never know: a new friend may end up becoming your life-long partner.
Mustering Up The Courage
Downloading a dating app or joining a forum is not enough for you to meet people. To a certain degree, it entails showing your best and true self online and mustering up the courage to hold conversations with strangers. For instance, many people make the mistake of posting low-quality of unflattering photos on dating apps. While nobody expects you to be perfect, first impressions matter in the swipe-to-date era. Show off your best photos, be honest about your interests, and try not to put up too many borders. Being friendly and open-minded is essential as people you meet online will come from different crowds, families, and walks of life.
Saying The First Hello
It is easier for some people to throw away any reservations when conversing online, but others may also find it challenging to say the first hello. Bumble requires girls to make the first move, so if you are a little bit shy, then it may be a good idea to opt for a different website. However, there is no harm in saying hello – most people are talking to others as well, and there is no commitment involved until you, and the other party decide to start one.
There is often a 24-hour time limit to start a conversation, which begins the moment you swipe left. As a result, you do not have to worry if you regret making a swipe. The person’s profile will completely disappear from your list after a full day. When you do decide to make a move, it can be a little difficult to determine what to say. Most people opt for a simple “hi” or “hello,” but you can certainly elevate your conversations with a more impactful message. Look through their hobbies and interests, and start your message with a question. That way, the conversation can flow more smoothly, and you can quickly learn more about the other person.
Finding a life partner amid global lockdowns, quarantine measures, and national emergencies can be challenging. Still, it is not impossible if you use the right online platforms and take the initiative. However, remember to exert the proper safety measures and protect yourself in the online realm. With everyone stuck at home, prospective partners surely have plenty of time to engage in conversations with you!