Online dating sites are used to meet the person of your dreams, but many come away from the experience feeling let down. Here’s how you can make it worth your while.
Did you know that of all the ways that we can meet other people, online dating is at the top of the list? And it’s no wonder, considering that there are thousands of people on any given site at any point of the day. With that said, there are still people who struggle to find someone they connect with online, and they feel like they wasted their time.
What if we told you that there was a way to make your online dating experience less disappointing and turn it all around? Follow these simple tips and we’re certain that you’ll be able to find someone worthy of your love.
1. Stop overthinking things. When you are going to start your online dating experience, you don’t want to have lofty expectations and believe that the messages are just going to start pouring in. Instead, remain realistic in your expectations and understand that it may take some time before people start reaching out to you.
2. Choose flattering photographs. We want to say that your profile picture isn’t the most important aspect of your dating profile, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. In all honesty, your picture does matter, and you’re going to want to choose a photo that shows people an accurate representation of what you look like on a regular basis. That means it should be current, and you are wearing clothing that you usually wear; so forget to post that picture of you in a tux at your brother’s wedding. Well, that is unless you are always dressed that formal.
3. Don’t take too much time to initiate the meetup. It’s okay to spend a couple of weeks chatting and exchanging emails through the online dating service, but you don’t want to waste too much time to plan to meet up. It’s understandable that you might be nervous to get the ball rolling, but if you wait too long, interest could wane, and you might miss your opportunity altogether.
4. Online dating doesn’t mean you are in a relationship—yet. Something people often forget is that just because you have been talking to someone for some time, it doesn’t mean that you are in a legitimate relationship. Sure, you’re talking to them, getting to know them, and you might even flirt with one another. These things are all great, but until you say that you are in a relationship, you are just talking. So with that said, feel free to chat with others in the meantime.
5. Stop focusing on that list. We all have some form of a mental checklist of qualities we want our ideal partner to have, and we often feel that because we are a member of an online dating site that is full of singles, we can afford to be extra choosy. In theory, that may seem like a logical thought, but in practice, you are going to miss out on some incredible people. So, instead of focusing on what you want in a partner, try going with the flow. Yeah, you can have the certain qualities like a non-smoker, employed, and self-sufficient as main things you’re looking for, but try dating outside of your normal “type.” You might surprise yourself by who you meet.