4 Things To Do Before Joining A Dating App
Contributed by: ElyseRomano on Monday, September 19 2016 @ 06:55 am
Last modified on
Getting started with online dating has never been simpler. Where once new users had to fill out lengthy profiles and answer extensive questionnaires, apps like Tinder are increasingly relying on bare-bones profiles and social media integration. Now all a new user has to do to start swiping is sign in with Facebook.
Voila! Your pictures are instantly imported and profile details are already filled out, so you can get straight to what you came for: mindless swiping and superficial judgements of profile pics.
Press pause. Just because you can start dating in 5 minutes doesn’t mean you should. Mastering the art of online dating takes time, effort, and patience (words no one likes to hear in an era of binge watching television and 1-hour Amazon deliveries).
If you want to date with the greatest chance of success, and the lowest likelihood of burnout, you must do these four things before joining a dating app.
#1 Know what you’re looking for.
Are you ready for a serious relationship or only in the market for a fling? What are your must-haves in a partner? Do you have any deal breakers? Get clear about what you expect from your online dating experience before creating a profile. Knowing what you want (and sticking to it) allows you to create a profile targeted to your ideal matches and makes it easier to pass on people who aren’t right for you. The sooner you can identify a match with potential, the less time you’ll waste on the wrong dates.
#2 Get over your ego.
Dating apps offer access to more people than it would ever be possible to meet in real life, and with so many choices available, it can feel impossible to settle on anyone. Recognize that dating services can make you (and your matches) more judgmental or superficial than you would be in person. Try to look beyond images.
And while you're at it, prepare yourself for occasional disappointment. Some messages will go unanswered. Some dates will be awkward. Some people will ghost. None of it is a reflection on you and your worth as a romantic partner.
#3 Trust your gut.
If you’re not used to relying on your instincts, now’s the time to get comfortable with that idea. Most online daters have good intentions, but a minority are looking for victims and you don’t want to be one of them. Remember that everyone on the other side of the screen is a stranger until you meet them, even if you feel a connection. Avoid any misadventures by trusting your gut when it tells you something is fishy.
#4 Accept that it won’t be easy.
Online dating isn’t as simple as swiping makes it seem. Finding a match you click with takes work. Between choosing the right photos, painting a picture of yourself in your profile, and crafting the right messages, online dating requires diligence, perseverance, and humility. You’ll burn out quickly if you expect The One to be handed to you on a digital platter.