How Coronavirus is Changing the Online Dating Game for the Better

The dating game before COVID-19 was already a challenge – finding the right person, on the same wavelength as you, who is fun to be with and has a good heart, seemed pretty much impossible.

Then lockdown started, and the hopes of finding our special someone faded, how on Earth are you going to meet someone when you’ve been ordered to stay at home?

Is there even any point in trying?

The answer to that second question is yes, there is.

Our lives are drastically changing – and in all aspects, including your dating life. And as the internet is becoming an important feature in people’s lives, it’s also becoming the place to look for relationships and online dating.

Now is a better time than any to try and bag your crush, or get on dating apps, or try to find a serious relationship online.

Use this time to become more confident and go for what you want – you’ll soon reap the rewards!

Lockdown tests chemistry

We have all had those awkward chats on relationships sites or dating apps where you don’t know what to say to each other, and when you do try, you feel like you’re forcing them to answer.

Lockdown will test this, and if you can keep a conversation going for a few weeks, or depending on where you live, a few months, without seeing each other, then you know there’s a natural chemistry between you, and that you have things in common.

Goodbye, small talk, hello, deep conversations. You know in movies when you see people texting each other until the early hours? Well, that can happen with the right person, just you wait!

This also allows you to take your time – while in normal circumstances, you may meet someone and go on a date straight away, this allows you to get to know each other from a distance.

Great things take time! Online dating apps have revealed that the conversations have been longer since lockdown – there is hope!

There are so many ways you can keep the conversations going if you’re getting into a tricky spot on your virtual date.

You can share playlists – compiling a playlist on Spotify is great fun, and on the plus side, you get to discover lots of new music.

You can play games – in the literal sense, by playing online games such as Skribbl. Or you can get to know each other by playing games such as 2 lies, 1 truth or would you rather, to get to know each other even more.

You may even laugh at the answers! It’s an original long-distance date idea of getting to know each other without meeting face to face!

You realize time’s too short

We live in very troubling times, and in times like these, you realize that time is too short. You can’t waste time on something unsatisfactory.

Perhaps you were dating someone you weren’t too sure about before lockdown, but you stuck with it because you were petrified of being alone – and then you did end up alone, and it isn’t actually all that bad.

You shouldn’t waste your time or the other person’s time, and let you both move on.

There’s no point in pushing for a relationship if you know it isn’t working for you. In these times, in some cases, you need to take care of yourself and do what’s right for you.

Alternatively, perhaps you have been talking to someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart.

They may want a more casual arrangement instead of seriously dating. Well, the same applies – life is too short to go for something that doesn’t quite match up to what you want.

Life’s too short to be unhappy and disappointed.

You haven’t got the pressure of dates

Going out on dates is so nerve-wracking. What do you wear? What if you’ve said something that will put them off? What if I have a wardrobe mishap?

There are so many questions that spin around in your mind. While you get to know each other, and can’t go on a date, the pressure is off in online dating.

And by the time you go on a date or do a video call, the idea is a lot less daunting!

Not only that, but in online dating, you also don’t have to worry about getting ready. You don’t have to worry about curling your bob or attempting box braids; instead – you’ve got time to practice!

You’ll feel super confident once you can go out! Take time to pamper yourself and experiment on your hair and makeup; you’ll soon have a date look down to a tee!

Also watch: What online dating during the Coronavirus pandemic looks like.

Replace dates by video chats

If you’re missing out on long chats and a human voice, you can replace that coffee out with a video chat or try zoom dating.

We know the texting life gets tiring, so make things more fun and easier on yourselves by giving each other a call!

Match questioned 6004 men and women, and 6% of them used video calls to date before the pandemic, this has now increased to 69%.

More and more online dating apps offer video calling during this period to allow dates to hit it off outside of the inbox! Use this time to find that long-lost human connection.

You can create your video dates – why not video call each other and watch a movie on Netflix Party? Or get a meal delivered to your door, get dressed up and pretend you’re at a restaurant?

Video calls don’t necessarily mean sitting in your pajamas with a bottle of wine!

These calls still allow you to get a first impression of seeing your date without having to step a foot out of your home. And if it gets awkward, you can always say you’ve got a bad internet connection!

Another positive side to online dating is that you don’t have to split the bill, and sex doesn’t even need to cross your mind. Instead, enjoy the moment and get to know your date!

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Amra Markic

Amra Markic is a digital editor at All Things Hair who is always plugged into what is happening across the beauty and social landscapes. Lover of all things food, Instagram and classic Disney films.

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