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Loving the single life - In these modern times, singlehood is a revered state. We appreciating the freedom, independence, and strength that comes with it.

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Loving the single life -

A single woman in her thirties can be living her best life, focused on her career, her passions, her social life, and herself.

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Lockdown -

Then lockdown happened! It was a scary and lonely time for everyone, but most of all for the singletons.

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Companionship -

Many of those who were quarantined with a human or a pet for company thanked their lucky stars.

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Desperation - In an New York Times article, Nayeema Raza suggested that the loneliness of lockdown was driving single people to new lengths for connection.

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Scraping the barrel -

Reaching out to exes and constant swiping on dating apps were just a couple of the ways she was personally dealing with the situation.

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Serious reflections -

She reiterated that she was someone who was very much enjoying her single life, but she suddenly felt forced to acknowledge the fact that she didn't want to die alone.

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Mortality - Many of us were faced with our own mortality when the pandemic began. Apparently Raza's reaction was a common one.

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Esther Perel -

Renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel says that crisis is a "relationship accelerator."

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Making the leap - The sense that life is short is amplified and it can drive people to make decisions that might otherwise take a long time, like trying to have a baby, taking the leap with a new relationship, or even ending one.

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Dating apps - It's a time when we seek out human connection. If you're in lockdown alone, then maybe you'll seek out that connection on Tinder.

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Dating apps - A relationship-focused dating app called Hinge saw a 30% increase in online messaging in the first weeks of lockdown.

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Dating apps - The League, a dating app aimed at professionals, said that attendance at their virtual speed dating events doubled.

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Looking for connection - Needless to say, people everywhere were lonely, bored, and looking for connection.

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Virtual dating -

As Nayeema Raza mentions in her article, the dynamic has already changed. The virtual dating scene is a totally new way to get to know someone.

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Increased intensity -

Imagine having an online dinner date compared to one in a busy restaurant. There are no menus, no waiters, no noise, no distractions. Just two people looking at each other through a screen.

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Passing the test - While that's a scary prospect, it may well make it easier to see if you have a strong connection.

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Who knows? -

If you can make it through an awkward first date on Zoom, maybe you can make it all the way to the altar.

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Transitioning -

But how do you transition your online dates into real life? Particularly in the complicated context of a pandemic with lockdown restrictions only partly lifted.

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Going offline -

A 2019 study suggested that there was one key element for success when it comes to moving your relationship offline.

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Honesty - The results showed that those who made their preferences clear before the first date were the most likely to have a second date.

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Honesty - That means they discussed what they were looking for in a partner before they ever met. This is particularly important nowadays when there are extra complications to consider...

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Coronavirus compatibility -

If you suggest a non-socially distant date to someone who is an ardent mask-wearer, it could be the end before things ever really got started.

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Comfort levels -

It's important to be mindful and respectful of each person's comfort levels when it comes to taking risks.

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The first kiss -

This raises the issue of the greatly anticipated first kiss.

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Chemistry - Kissing is one of the best ways to judge whether you and your date have chemistry.

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No thank you -

Research shows that a shocking 60% of people have lost interest in someone after kissing for the first time!

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Covid kisses -

Sadly, the most effective way to gauge your attraction to someone is also the most effective way to transmit coronavirus.

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Awkward questions -

With this in mind, we'll need to be open to asking and answering questions about our health status and whether or not we're dating other people right from the beginning.

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Be selective - We're overwhelmed with choices in our modern lives, but maybe it's time to start being more selective. Is that person really worth leaving the house to see? Would you risk kissing them?

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Slow down -

In an age of dating apps and swiping right, perhaps it's not a bad thing to slow down and think a little more carefully.

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See also - Are you ready to find love in the age of Covid-19? If so, check out these tips for online dating.

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