Contributed by: Jet on Thursday, June 02 2011 @ 09:26 am
Last modified on
You’ve decided to try out the world of online dating, and you’ve chosen a site. When you sit down to write your profile, however, your mind goes blank. No, worse than blank - you know all about your life, and you’re convinced you must be the most boring person on the planet.
Here’s a secret: most people don’t consider themselves anything other than ordinary at best. People who have the most exciting careers and hobbies imaginable - the sort of people they make TV series about - don’t see themselves as anything special. While their humility is sweet, it doesn’t really help them catch the eye of their readers.
What does stand out? Enthusiasm. For those who are worried about appearing arrogant, fear not; if you don’t want to talk about how awesome you are, just share the excitement you already feel for something in your life. Maybe you’ve taken up boating: talk about the freedom and power of the ocean. Maybe you’re a journalist: share the frantic atmosphere of a newsroom. You could even talk about the serenity you’ve found with yoga. Is life exciting and fun every day? No, but no one’s is. Try to capture your feelings on the days you truly enjoy.
Emotions are contagious; if you think your life is a bore, it’ll show and everyone else will agree. If you’re excited and positive about something, however, even a passion you don’t share, like physics or birdhouse building, your good mood will leap off the page and into the smile of the reader. And the enthusiasm lingers; you’ll be remembered more positively, too.
Of course, some days it’s hard to muster up enthusiasm for anything, even things you normally enjoy. Some days are just devoid of color. How can your write a profile then?
The simple answer: don’t. You don’t have to publish an online profile until you’re good and ready. If you’re not in a good mood, don’t even try to write a profile (and certainly don’t try to take a picture). Who wants their first impression to be a snapshot of a bad day? A profile is only a few paragraphs, not the next great novel; holding off until you’re feeling good about something is well worth the wait.