With the recent roadmap laid out by the UK Government for lockdown lifting and the light being at the end of the tunnel for us all to reconnect (romantically speaking too!) no doubt so many singles are starting to rendezvous with the idea of hitting the ground running to pave the way of the romantic life they want to lead.
With recent time lost on the dating scene so many singles have fears and anxieties coming up for them for many different reasons and in different ways.
Some are feeling that they are frustrated with the amount of dating time lost and the other side of this same coin is a feeling of pressure for the next person they date to be the last or most significant person they date - we're hearing this a lot.
The recent year of being socially and physically distanced, especially on the dating scene, means that there are also worries coming up for singles that couldn’t have been foreseen. Those worries are being vocalised to me from singles feeling ‘they have lost their touch when it comes to flirting’ or they are not sure when the right time to be intimate with someone might be because of fear of the virus amongst those not vaccinated rather than what used to be the norm of just taking into consideration when it feels good, they both feel ready and it feels right. The feelings of disconnection intimately means that many are also nervous about being between the sheets with someone new too. It’s the usual anxieties that show their ugly faces in modern dating but heightened.
One thing so many have learnt is that time and humanity is precious and there are many people who are done with wasting time with the wrong kinds of people and so that comes with a certain pressure to get the romantic dating journey right and most people are feeling they need to do that right away - almost a making up for lost time. For some it’s been a year of taking stock and now feeling sure about the kind of person they would like to meet and for others is the idea of exploring more with new people.
There are huge feelings of excitement, apprehension and eagerness to hit the ground running in the air, especially in the romantic space thats had a lot of stop and start over the last year - especially for those who’s intention it is to seriously search for love.
Whatever it is you’re feeling right now, just know that you are not alone and you are in the same boat as so many singles. The feelings you feel may change from day to day but they are are all valid and important - sink into them, understand them, express them and grow from them.
Remember we have never lived in a time like this before, its new to us all and it really is a learning every step of the way and so here are some top tips to start dating when you're ready:
Know that the Government roadmap doesn’t have to be your roadmap - take part in dating as and when you choose and feel good about it - not just because everyone else is
Practice the JOMO when you feel energetically depleted when you’re back out there sharing your space with the world.
Start to trust in the dating process - the person you are looking to meet is looking for you too
Take the pressure off dating by seeing each encounter as a meeting of new people rather than an interview for your last romantic partner
Be conscious of investing time with people who aren’t aligned with your intentions to avoid what feels like wasting time or a deflation of positivity in the dating process
Work on your relationship with yourself - fill your cup until you feel overflowing enough to date others
Start to be crystal clear on your values so that people who do not align with that fall by the wayside.
Work on creating boundaries to say no to those that don't serve you or set your soul on fire
Ensure you are always swimming in the right pools of people who have the same wants and goals for dating and relationships as you do.