Outdated: What To Do When You’ve Forgotten How To Date + Podcast!

Dating is a skill. But what happens to do that skill when you don’t use it? Well, dating is like speaking a second language; you forget how unless you’re doing it regularly.

During COVID, we’ve all had to take a break from socializing for the greater good. This has necessitated a dating hiatus for single people out there. So when the current public health crisis ends, the world will rejoice, but all you daters out there may feel rusty. How will you get back in the proverbial saddle after social distancing? Here are our top tips for dealing with romantic rust.

 

Study The Theory

So you’re not going to be able to practice batting your ends over beers with the guy you met on Bumble. However, you can study the “theory” of dating. What does that mean? Well, listen to dating podcasts (We recommend ours!), read books on the topic, and talk to friends about their experiences. The more you learn about other people’s dating philosophies – and the more you hear their own dating stories – the more educated you’ll feel on the topic. This is a golden opportunity to figure out how you feel about one-night stands, monogamy versus polyamory, or how long you should wait to introduce a paramore to your parents.

The more you think about dating now, the more thoughtful you’ll be about your love life when we’re allowed to meet new people again.

 

Devise a Strategy

Once you’ve identified your dating philosophy, why not devise a dating strategy? Create a list of goals and how you intend to achieve them. Which methods are you going to use to meet more people? There are so many apps to choose from, each targeted at different groups. There are also the free chatlines or specialist singles events and parties that are organized in your area. Perhaps you’re aiming to ask out at least one new person a week. Well, decide how you’re going to meet them! Maybe you plan to sign up for three apps, or maybe you only have the time for one. Or if you’re not into digital dating, perhaps you should research local dodgeball leagues or wine tastings as a way to find some cuties. Just like when you were writing essays in Grade 12 history class, it pays to do your research where dating is concerned.

 

Make Dating a Team Sport

Find a friend or even a group of friends to share your dating adventure. You can exchange wacky anecdotes about your love lives and trade opinions on which apps are the most effective. Dating is more fun – and often more effective – when you have peers to help you through it. You’ll help each other through rejections and celebrate each other’s successes. Basically, finding a dating buddy is the best advice we can give you!

Sarah Sahagian

Sarah Sahagian

Sarah Sahagian is a feminist writer based in Toronto. Her byline has appeared in such publications as Elle Canada, Flare, Bitch Media, The Toronto Star, and The National Post. She is also the co-host of You Do You: A Dating Podcast. Sarah holds a master’s degree in Gender Studies from The London School of Economics. You can find her on Twitter, where she posts about politics and live-tweets The Bachelor