Online dating – it's a rollercoaster ride, isn't it?
My goodness, there are parts of it I've missed and a whole lot I could happily live without ever encountering again. But hey, it's been a mixed bag of blessings and challenges for me.
Let's break it down, shall we? Here's a Dating Pro and Con List just for you.
The Cons:
Have you ever had to swipe left on a currently imprisoned con? Yeah, been there.
Conversations that start over text? Not my cup of tea.
Surface-level topics galore.
And if your profile photo isn't on point? Automatic left swipe.
Waiting forever for a response because logging onto the app is like a journey in itself.
And now, there's the added step of video calls? Seriously, WTF.
Catfish? Still a thing. Ugh.
Choice overload. So many options, so few good ones.
Dealing with annoying guys.
Struggling to carry on conversations.
Feeling guilty for ghosting mid-convo because they're just not cutting it.
Always that nagging fear that it might not work out after all this effort.
And now you have to pay to see likes? Really?
The Pros:
But hey, I stumble upon something that makes me laugh or receive a message that brings a chuckle every day.
And the validation that you're not hideous? Kind of nice.
Judging people without them knowing? It's like a guilty pleasure.
Talking about yourself when someone's interested? Hey, I'm all for it.
Looking forward to certain conversations? It's the little things.
Practicing my writing skills? Thanks, online dating.
And the endless supply of material to share with friends over drinks? Priceless.
Some guys are actually fun, believe it or not.
And swiping? It's strangely therapeutic.
It is an excellent way to pass the time and maybe even change your life for the better.
You learn much about what you want (and don't want) in a partner.
And about compromise.
And most importantly, about yourself.
And when dates finally happen? Well, it's an excuse to dress up.
And through it all, there's hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, the right swipe is out there, patiently waiting for me amidst the sea of left swipes.
So, do the pros outweigh the cons? It's hard to say. But one thing's for sure—I'm grateful for online dating for expanding my dating pool and keeping the flame of hope alive that my soul mate might be a swipe away.