For the single people covid-19 will have had a major impact on them dating and finding someone to be with. A lot of people were able to fully embrace the video dating world and start a relationship or date from just video chatting, but for others it has been a hard time to find love and to connect with people properly. The problem with being stuck in lockdown and not actually dating properly means that you may not be prepared to date properly once lockdown is lifted and you have the freedom to be able to date just like before. The last thing you want is to get back on the dating wagon and not have a clue what you should do to prepare or what you may have forgotten since you last went dating.
If you are single and looking for love and you are just unsure how you can prepare for dating again when the time comes or what you need to remember for dating then these tips should help you to understand what you can do to get back into dating and start preparing for the dating world again.
Don’t rush anything
It can be easy to want to go on as many dates as possible when you can to try and get back into the swing of things but this can be too much and burn you out. It is going to better for you to just ease your way back into dating instead of just diving in head first. If you were someone that threw yourself into dates everyday pre lockdown and still ended up single then try it slow this time and be more mindful and think things through better and you may find that you have more success finding someone dating this way.
Take some time to care for yourself
Being in lockdown you probably have had so much time to yourself but you may need time to do stuff for yourself before you get back to dating. Maybe you need a makeover, a trip to the hairdresser or just a shopping spree to have a wardrobe refresh. It is easy to think you want to go straight into it but taking some time to make sure you are ok and you are happy is really important otherwise you can struggle when it comes to dating if you are not happy with yourself.
Stay confident when dating
When in lockdown it can impact your confidence being stuck at home so make sure it does not have an impact when it comes to dating. This will link slightly with taking care of yourself, by doing so it will help to build your confidence. When you have been stuck at home sitting in your PJ’s and eating everything you can get your hands on this can impact your confidence as you are not going to be feeling good about yourself. Because of this lack of confidence this can mean we end up making poor choices when it comes to dating and settle for less because of it. Don’t let your confidence impact your dating and bring down what should be a great time for you.
Reflect on past mistakes and choices
Before going back out into the world of dating think back to before the lockdowns and the pandemic and think about things you did when dating before. Think about what went right and what went wrong and see if there is anything to work on so you can be more successful when dating. Taking time to reflect will allow you to go about dating in a new and improved way and make sure that you can have more successes when you are out and about doing what you need to do. The best thing to reflect on, even though it can be hard, is where things have gone wrong in the past. This is going to allow you to become a better person in yourself and mature by realising where you made mistakes with who you were dating. You need to also reflect on the people you were looking to date and whether they were a good match for you, maybe you got into some relationships that did not work, you need to figure out why and make sure you steer clear of these things when trying again this time.
Don’t settle just for the sake of it
With it being so long since you were with someone on a date it can be easy to just settle and go for anyone that will take you, but this is not the way to do it. You may have disliked the loneliness during lockdowns and it can be easy to think that you need to be with another person no matter who it just isn’t healthy to do it that way. By settling you can end up being with someone that just isn’t right for you and it can end up being a toxic and bad relationship which will knock your confidence and make you feel bad which is not what you want after all this time. Take time to figure out what type of person you want to be with and make sure you do not just settle if it seems right, actually think about it and make sure you are making the right decision. You will know when you meet the right person so make sure you know what you want and go for it, but do not just go for it because you think anyone is better than no one.
Try virtual before committing to real life
It can be hard to decide if you like someone, and you may be nervous to meet someone new in person straight away. So try to text and get to know them, maybe even try video chatting, then you can make a decision on whether an outside world date is right for you. Some people will be scared to go out in pubs and clubs which is where it is easiest to meet someone over a few drinks and then exchange numbers. With that option off the cards try online dating. There are lots of apps and sites out there for dating to help you meet someone without having to venture out of your home straightaway. Obviously once you have found someone you can start thinking about what you can do for a date and get more confidence but it can take to find someone online for that to come to fruition. If you are unsure on the best apps to use then try different ones or search best dating apps UK and there are plenty of guides to help you make a decision on the best app for you to find love.
Don’t rush when you find someone
With everyone having been kept cooped up it is no surprise they are chomping at the bit for some human interaction but try not to go mental when it comes to this. If you rush it or try to force it, especially with someone you have clicked with or really like, it can taint the relationship and sometimes lead to regret which is not the base of a strong relationship. Try to just take it slow and go a bit at a time until you feel the time is right mutually. If you both want to move quickly then by all means go for it but don’t try to be rushed and one sided.
How should you meet them?
It can be hard to know what to do when they finally say yes and agree to meet you after all that time of messaging and video calling. Make sure you follow any guidelines in place in your country so that you are not doing anything you shouldn’t be. Obviously pre lockdown you would have gone anywhere you wanted but now you have to be a bit smarter about it, obviously going to a crowded movie feature or pub isn’t the best date for everyone as some people will be anxious so try and pick somewhere that would be quite and less populated so you can social distance without issues. Things like going for walks or secluded picnics are great ways to go on a date without having to worry too much about people around you, you can also choose somewhere that you can chat together and see each other but remain socially distanced yourselves this can help you get over any anxieties before committing to getting close and even touching.
If you are looking to get back out dating after being stuck in or only dating virtually it can be hard to know what you can do to make it easier and be prepared for your dating. If this is you then hopefully, this guide can help you prepare for getting out and dating and make sure that the whole experience is that much easier, the last thing you want is to be ill prepared and it not work out after so long.
