The Dating Pandemic

2020, a year that I don't think will ever be forgotten. Life as we knew it was completely flipped and many say it will never be the same as it once was again. Everyone has now experienced quarantine, social, and sometimes complete physical isolation from everyone else. Some of you I imagine are living on your own and independently. Which probably put a damper on not being able to see your besties and mingling with all the other singles out there.

What if I told you that even before this worldwide pandemic prohibiting social activities and making dating harder, there was already a change in the game of dating? It's true, people today are not dating as near as much as our grandparents did.

In a world of endless technology and methods of communication, you think that we would be thriving in ways to get to know people better. However, with the blessings of this technology also comes with the trials given through comparison.

Everybody fears rejection so it makes sense why just asking someone on a date can be nerve-racking. However, I have a theory that men and women are getting rejected more often these days due to mainstream comparison through social media.

Comparison is a toxic habit, but the way that social media is thriving right now is through something called aesthetics. Aesthetics is a "particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses" according to Merriam-Webster. This is a pretty shallow way of seeing things, quite frankly it is seeing the books cover and judging it prematurely on whether you are going to commit to reading it.

No matter my first impressions, my parents raised me to always say yes to a date or dance. After giving that young man a chance and time to show who he is then I can decide if he is a good fit for me either as a friend or something more later. This is what I would compare to reading the back of the book for its blurb. Just a sneak peek to the intricate and ultimate soul of the person or book.

There is one thing I can promise from those influencers perfect pictures of their relationship. That one thing is that picture is not the real them, because no one is perfect and every couple will have their ups and downs.

Now here's the thing I wonder, if no one likes the dating culture how it is now, why don't we just change it? What if we were to use our social media powers for good and "influence" the culture to be more loving and understand to others?

Just thinking of the possibility of that change makes me giddy, it would be a wave of good that would spread to everyone we encountered not just the singles. We discussed this topic in my Family Relations class and how simple dating could be. It could be casual, cheap (even free), group dates, single dates, whatever, and whenever is best for the two of you. No serious commitment needs to be made, just clean fun with those you can trust.

So, I encourage you to take courage and get a little uncomfortable. You will bless so many lives of those around you and I wouldn't be surprised if your life changed for the better as well. You will meet life-long friends, you will make unforgettable memories, and you just might meet the one who completes you. Someone who will make you a better person and someone who you couldn't imagine not being in your life every day into eternity.