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By JOE MAILLET 1,594 views
LOVE STORIES

Post-Pandemic Dating: The 7 Priorities to Put Before Tinder

In the United States, Covid-19 might soon be in the rearview mirror. Thanks to vaccines and safety measures, businesses and cities are starting to fully reopen. This also means that the dating scene will be picking up steam. 

You might be excited to try your luck again with dating apps like Tinder, but you need to get your house in order first. A rewritten bio and updated profile pic are a great start. However, some personal matters also require your attention before you put yourself out there. Get these areas of your life squared away before you re-enter the dating game.

1. Personal Health and Wellness

Prioritizing your health and wellness isn’t just about perfecting your look to attract a love interest. You’ll feel a lot more confident when your mind and body are in peak condition. 

Remember, though, getting healthy isn’t just about diet and exercise. It’s also about caring for your body and mind. This includes getting yearly checkups and any therapy you might need. If you’ve been waiting for the end of Covid-19 to get your eyes checked or teeth cleaned, make those appointments soon. 

You’ll also want to get all of your medications in order. If you don’t fill them now, you might end up regretting that decision at an inopportune moment. Thankfully, you can eliminate trips to the pharmacy by ordering your prescriptions online through companies like Nurx. You can get your supply of birth control and acne medication before you head out on your date. 

2. Self-Care

Before you dive back into dating, make sure you’re dedicating time to yourself. It’s difficult to build a healthy relationship, or even have a fulfilling fling if you don’t take care of yourself. This means doing things that relax you, like taking soothing baths or reading a favorite novel. Journaling or simply resting can also be part of your routine.

Self-care provides you with a solid foundation for any future relationship. For one, it gives you a better understanding of your own worth. You won’t settle for dates that are disrespectful. You’ll also have a better shot at avoiding potentially toxic relationships. 

A lack of self-esteem can send you looking for love in dangerous places. By prioritizing yourself, you’re teaching yourself that you matter. Plus, confidence is an attractive quality in a partner.

3. Personal Growth

Think about your dream partner. Write some of their characteristics down. Are they patient, loving, and hard-working? This will help you narrow down what you’re looking for. It will also show you the characteristics that you need to develop in yourself. 

It’s difficult for someone rude, irrational, and lazy to attract someone who’s the opposite. Become the person you want to date, and it’ll be easier for you to find your perfect partner. After all, you’ll be more compatible with a sensitive animal lover if your idea of fun is volunteering at a shelter.

Of course, you won’t know if you’ve found the person of your dreams based on their Tinder bio. So keep that list in mind. Once you do find a keeper, your shared interests will likely keep them around. 

4. Finances

Money problems are stressful, and they can be embarrassing when you’re out on dates. This is especially true for the one paying the check that night. Before you reinstall that dating app, find ways to resolve any financial worries. 

If you’re the date instigator, be prepared to foot the bill. If you’re concerned that these outings won’t fit into your monthly budget, pull out the calculator. Add up how much money dates will cost, including restaurant tips and movie tickets. Then look for adjustments in your budget to make those numbers work. Canceling a rarely used subscription or biking to work are simple solutions that can save you money.

Another option is to get creative. Not all dates have to cost a lot of dough. You can have a wonderful time on a picnic in the park, and it shows off your cooking skills. Do a little bit of digging, and you’ll find that there are great free and inexpensive date ideas out there. And don’t forget to check local venues and events that might not cost a dime. 

5. Career

Life during Covid-19 has required a lot of adjustments, and not only to relationships. Many people lost their jobs or saw drastic changes in their line of work. Some people switched to remote work and have yet to go back to the office. Make sure you have completely acclimated to these changes before adding other life variables to the mix.

If you’ve lost your job because of the pandemic, you’re not alone. Applying for jobs is basically a full-time job on its own. Unfortunately, job hunting or settling into a new job don’t mix well with dating. It’s a juggling routine that you don’t want to try. 

Finding a job first or giving yourself time to get accustomed to a new one are other ways to prioritize yourself. You’ll be much happier in your relationship if you’re not constantly worried about your employment.

Of course, this is not to say that you should put work before relationships. What’s important here is that you acquire the security and stability you need to be happy. You’ll certainly make for a better date if you’re not stressing about work in the middle of it. Getting your professional life in order will also help alleviate some of those financial worries you may have. 

6. Social Skills

Dating is a social activity. That’s part of the appeal, but the introverts among us may be panicking about getting back out there. After this past year, though, they might find themselves on an even footing with extroverts. Even the social butterflies of the world may need a refresher on social skills after a year of staying mostly at home. 

Practicing social skills can be difficult. If you haven’t ventured out much yet, the opportunities to socialize may have been rare. Reuniting with your friends can help you prepare to interact with new people. 

Being around people you’re comfortable with will lower the stakes. As you all hang out, you can determine which activities still make you nervous. For example, maybe after all your time at home, crowds make you anxious. Then you’ll know that meeting a date at a bar isn’t the best option.

When you finally do go out on a date, focus on what you can control, and be patient with the rest. Resist the urge to check your phone. Being present will convey your interest and respect. 

7. Other Relationships

How have your relationships with your family and friends fared during Covid-19? Many people stayed away from older family members over the last year to keep them healthy. If you’re vaccinated and both parties feel safe, you should spend some time reconnecting. 

Having strong family bonds and friendships can actually improve your romantic relationships. For one, family and friends can show you what a healthy relationship should look like. They can even ease tension between you and a partner if you hit a rough patch. Remember that finding fulfillment in these relationships may prevent you from looking for love hastily or foolishly.

Dating is exciting. And after more than a year of pandemic-driven isolation, the anticipation for going out is even higher. 

Make the prospect of dating sweeter by spending some time on yourself first. Get your life in order, and then swipe right to your heart’s content. Who knows? You might find that special someone to spend the next quarantine with.

Joe Maillet
Author
JOE MAILLET

Joe Maillet is an avid reader and a writer by heart. He is an author, freelance writer and a contributor writer, who write articles and blogs for various leading online media publications and for CEO and entrepreneurs from across the world. He keeps himself updated with the latest marketing trends and always recognized in the industry for providing solutions to B2B and B2C businesses.