Contributed by: Jet on Friday, November 01 2013 @ 06:58 am
Last modified on
If you’re on the fence about trying out online dating, here’s something you might not have considered: try finding a support system. And by “support system,” I mean someone who’s had success with online dating; someone who’s enthusiastic about it - a cheerleader, if you will.
The beginning stages of online dating are highly solitary and introspective; you’re writing a profile about yourself. You’re looking at profiles, but you’re not really interacting with anyone in real time. There’s plenty of time to get lost in your own thoughts and anxieties, over-analyze any response, and talk yourself out of messaging anyone in the first place.
Additionally, you might have a friend or family member who constantly gives you negative feedback - sending you links to urban legends and horror stories about online dating, or who dourly proclaims that they’d never involve a cold computer in their love life. Not exactly a positive environment.
The best way to combat outside negativity is to find an outside positive source. Maybe you have a friend who’d like to giggle their way through the construction of your profile. Maybe you’ve found a forum where a pro can advise you that just because you haven’t heard back from a potential match doesn’t mean you’re doomed in love. Online dating, like many other endeavors, has a bit of a learning curve and gets considerably less stressful as time goes on. Why not utilize the support and expertise of those who want to see you succeed?
Of course, it is always important to remember that you’re a unique individual, and what works for one person doesn’t always work for another; no one’s word is gospel. But in general, surrounding yourself, either online or in real life, with people who are positive and excited about online dating can make the entire endeavor considerably less nerve-wracking. Are you surrounded with naysayers or cheerleaders?