Dating During a Pandemic

Written by Sylvia Ruiz

Dating During the Pandemic

Written by Sylvia Ruiz

Photo by Pratik Gupta on Unsplash

The quest to find love has become a little more difficult since the world was impacted by Covid-19 over a year ago. While we are still experiencing some of the restrictions previously put into place to keep everyone safe, it looks like people are slowly getting back to some level of normalcy. It seems like most of my clients I speak to in therapy have been struggling with the issue of restricted means of dating and do not know how to approach the situation they find themselves in. It is easy to experience some anxiety and depression during these times because some people think that there is no hope to find someone to date. It can take a major mental toll on you and you can easily feel fatigued with working from home all day, having to communicate through Zoom or other online platforms, therefore to find the energy to continue yet another Zoom call or Facetime call can leave you feeling overwhelmed or mentally drained. You might ask yourself:

“What are some options that you have when trying online dating?”

1. Video Call Dates

   The best part is that you can Zoom, Facetime, or use any other online video call platform to really get to know each other by asking each other some fun questions. For example, you can ask each other things like, “If money was no object, what would you do?”, or “What is your biggest dream?” to change up the typical questions and allow for each person to open up more. The last thing you want to do is make online dating feel like a daunting, uncomfortable, or boring task. Be creative with your questions, while still getting to know a person. Do not be afraid to explore new things because you never know what fun activities you might enjoy best.

1. Streaming Service Watch Party

   You can watch the same Netflix, Hulu, or other movie or show platform together from each other’s homes and make comments either during or after the movie or show. You can each make some popcorn or enjoy your favorite snacks so that it can make your experience feel a little more natural as if you were in person.

2. Online Gaming & Games Through Zoom

   Play a video game together online, or even play a simple board game, that is if you each have the same game. If only one of you has a good board game, the wonderful thing about online calls is that there is video so you can tell the other person where to move you on the board. There are also free websites that you can use to roll your dice to feel like you are actively participating.

3. Attend a Virtual Event

   With the pandemic many events shut down and in its place virtual events, shows, concerts, and more popped up to take over. Attending a virtual show together like a comedy show or concert can be a fun experience for you both. You can never go wrong with either type of show, or you can also consider taking a cooking or painting class together, if offered virtually.

Online dating can be exciting and different, so feel free to allow yourself to enjoy it and get comfortable with it. Once you have gotten to know each other a little better online, you can try to go to a drive-in movie nearby, or go for a walk at a park together. While some restrictions are getting lifted, for some people, it can still be scary to resume certain activities in person. Until you are more comfortable, respect the boundaries that some people may still have in place to ensure they remain safe.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other challenges, please seek therapy and counseling to help alleviate those challenges to live a mentally healthier life.