If you’ve been living the single life during this pandemic, you’re probably itching for COVID-19 to end, whenever that may be. With no more impromptu dates, lets-get-coffees, meeting strangers at bars or nights out on the town, how will modern dating continue? Are you making eyes at the cute boy you met in the produce aisle? Are you considering hibernation until this pandemic sees its end?
Don’t fret. Life will go on. While dating may look different, it’s certainly not canceled forever. In this modern age, and with some help from pleasant weather, there’s a lot to be said for keeping your love life active, even during a pandemic.
Give Dating Apps a Try
Not everybody is a dating app kind of person, but this pandemic dries up many social options where singles can normally meet in person. Even if you’ve never tried the apps before, they’re pretty much the ultimate solution to meeting people without leaving your home. While they might not be your first choice during regular times, you can hop on and try them out to take care of the initial step of meeting someone.
Know Their Stances
It’s important to take precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 by protecting yourself and those around you. If you’re concerned about whether it’s safe to date during the pandemic, you probably agree.
Unfortunately, some people would rather live in the dark. Just like you don’t want to hang around with someone who might be spreading the virus, you probably don’t want to spend time with a person careless enough not to wear a mask or practice social distancing. Ask about their precautions and proceed accordingly — even if that means you float them a cyber-kiss goodbye.
Date Night
Picture this: You’re on the app, and you meet a brand-new honey. This person is amazing, and you can’t wait to meet them and get to know each other a little more. Where do you go, and how do you do it safely? While you can always keep texting or chatting, you might want a “real date” if things get a bit more serious. Thankfully, there are many socially distanced dates you can try out:
Hit an outdoor yoga class together.
Go on a bike ride.
Take a socially distanced hike.
Consider a fun outing like stand-up paddleboarding.
Host your date via video chat and have a glass of wine together.
Take a walk in the park.
Have a stoop date or picnic with snacks to enjoy.
Your date will depend on your comfort level with the person and the world at large. If you or your crush is immunocompromised, keeping things digital is probably the best option until you get a bit more serious. However, if your state is green and you’re healthy and responsible, you can try a socially distanced date in person.
What About a Casual Relationship?
This is one of the big questions on everybody’s mind. The answer, ultimately, depends on you. If you have a casual sexual partner and the two of you would like to become socially monogamous” for safety reasons, that could be a great solution for taking care of business safely.
However, casual hookups probably aren’t the best idea at the moment if you’re into fooling around with strangers or multiple partners. When the goal is to limit contact with others as much as possible, getting together with anyone you please might be a health and safety hazard.
When it comes to new, more romantic relationships, things might have to get a bit more serious and practical. Determining whether to have sex — or even kiss for that matter — means the acceptance of that person into your close circle. By definition, sexual contact breaks social distancing, and you need to make sure you’re ready for it.
Put Yourself Out There
This pandemic doesn’t have to mean the end of your love life. Dating might be a bit different, and it requires a little extra effort and planning, but it’s possible. Your match is out there, and it’s OK to start looking. Who knows? You could even meet your special someone by reaching for the apples in the grocery store — just make sure you both wash your hands.