Struggling with loneliness or having a mental health crisis? On the one hand, it can feel more than a little dehumanizing to pull out your phone and swipe, swipe, swipe, swipeโฆ. Despite the bad rap, online dating has actually become the most common way that couples are now finding each other. An activity that was once considered taboo has now evolved into a booming billion-dollar industry.
I connected with a variety of experts including a relationship therapist, dating and life coaches, a professional matchmaker, the founder of a dating site review service, and even a member of the original Match. I also wanted to gather some intel about real-life experiences, so I spoke with several people who shared their online dating experiences, frustrations, and tips. No one is destined to spend their life being single and lonely , even if it sometimes feels that way.
The first step, before you even think about installing that dating app, is to understand your intentions and make sure you have healthy self-esteem and tough skin going into it. What do you hope to gain from the experience?
Are you looking for long-term companionship or a casual relationship with someone you can spend time with โ no strings attached? Dating online may increase your odds of finding love or even a casual hookup but as mentioned, it also leaves you vulnerable to the sting of rejection, love loneliness , and the pain of unreciprocated efforts. To gain some insight, I spoke with Shirani Pathak, a San Jose, California relationship therapist and author who found her love online.
Before Shirani met her life partner, she went through years of online dating, which was often exhausting and overwhelming. She also started telling her dates that she was looking for something serious while explaining some of the ways she envisioned her future. Then she observed how they responded.
