Dating?

The dating world can feel completely insane. It’s like a full-time job that doesn’t pay—and often, you end up paying for it. Matching and swiping, chatting and building conversation in the midst of life's daily juggle is incredibly difficult. Yet, people still seek love. Well, some do. Most want lust, flirting, fun dates, or great sex. Most of the time, it’s just sex.

So, how can we stay sane in the wild world of dating? How can we find affection, comfort, and safe intimacy while navigating fake profiles, fake pictures, gold diggers, liars, narcissists, and everything else out there?

Here are some tips to help you stay grounded:

1.     Know What You Want: Be clear about your intentions and what you're looking for in a relationship. This can help you filter out those who aren't on the same page.

2.     Take Your Time: Don’t rush into anything. Take the time to get to know someone before meeting in person or getting too invested emotionally.

3.     Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut. It’s better to be cautious than to ignore red flags.

4.     Be Honest: Authenticity attracts authenticity. Be honest about who you are and what you’re looking for.

5.     Protect Your Privacy: Be careful about the personal information you share, especially early on. Protect your privacy until you feel comfortable and trust the other person.

6.     Have Fun: Remember that dating should be enjoyable. Don’t take it too seriously and allow yourself to have fun along the way.

7.     Self-Care: Make sure to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Don’t let the pursuit of a relationship take a toll on your well-being.

8.     Stay Safe: Always meet in public places and let someone know where you’re going. Safety should always be a priority.

Navigating the dating world can be challenging, but by staying true to yourself and being cautious, you may find meaningful connections. I have friends who married after online dating, some have found good partners, but most are still searching.

Sometimes it makes me wonder about going back to the traditional way of meeting people. In a café, a restaurant, maybe a club or bar? Meeting someone at work is possible but often frowned upon—do you really want to see your co-worker in a different light after a breakup? Those awkward moments passing each other in the hallways, that is, if you work in an actual office and not a virtual space.

There’s something undeniably romantic about the classic "meet cute," like in the movies. How many people find "we met on a dating app" to be a romantic story? I envision a scenario where you’re on a friends' trip and bump into your love at first sight on the beach. The book you’re holding falls into the sand, only to see that they’re holding the same book. Could you picture, in 50 years, meeting online as the only way people ever date? It might not make things easier; it could be harder to see the true characteristics of people online. Then again, maybe not—we are social creatures, after all.

Whichever you decide to search for your one and only, or open relationship partner(s), be safe, put yourself first. When you need some support and need to talk about the good and the bad, schedule your session with ok2vent, get it off your mind and move forward.

Remember it's always ok2vent @ ok2vent.com especially about the bad dates.