4 Tips For Dating In Lockdown

The dating game is difficult at the best of times. First, you have to search for a suitable person who you’re mutually compatible with, and then you have the awkward first date where you’re never quite sure what to do or say. You have to fend off unwanted advances from unsavory characters and deal with rejection when someone you like turns you down.

It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, made all the more difficult when there’s a worldwide pandemic going on. The world of dating looks a lot different in 2020. There are restrictions on meeting up with people outside of your household, bars and restaurants are closed, and don’t even think about leaning in for that first kiss!

But true love can overcome any barriers, and a few restrictions don’t have to stop you from finding the person of your dreams. To help you on your quest for romance, here are four tips for dating during lockdown.

Look elsewhere

Long in the past are the days in which you could wander into a club, sidle up to the attractive stranger at the bar and buy them a drink. For the time being, you’ll have to make do with meeting people from afar. Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are the go-to for young people these days. Although they get a bad reputation for being full of people looking for a quick hookup, 22% of married couples have met through online dating apps and websites. If you’re not using them already, create a profile, and start seeking your partner. If texting and sending endless emojis is not your thing, there are also phone chat lines such as freechatlines, where you can meet strangers and have real, meaningful conversations with them. 

Plan virtual dates

When the time comes to arranging the first date, you’ll have to get a little creative. And that’s no bad thing. Simply going for a drink or dinner isn’t the most exciting activity, and the restrictions will force you to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. One option is to cook dinner together virtually. Both of you buy the same ingredients and cook a meal at the same time before sitting down to eat it together over a video call. Other virtual dates could include playing a board game, watching the same film, or making cocktails.

Have socially distant dates

Depending on the restrictions in your area, you may still be able to meet up at a distance. Going for a socially-distant walk or bike ride can be an excellent way to meet someone while also making sure you get your daily exercise. You could even find a restaurant that does takeaway meals and sit down in the park to eat it two meters away from each other.

Be patient

If you meet that perfect person, don’t feel like the pandemic has to ruin your chances with them. Things will go back to normal eventually, and if it’s truly a match made in heaven, they will still be there. Be patient, look to the future, and everything will work out for the best in the end.