Lockdown Love - Online Dating In A Pandemic

In 2020 we have seen the world change beyond recognition. So many of the things that we used to take for granted are now impossible, or seriously restricted.

For many, this has made online dating a more attractive prospect. With social gatherings restricted, and many venues closed, apps and websites full of people looking for love have become increasingly popular.

People who would never have previously considered looking for love in the virtual world, are now reaching for their phones and logging on in the hope of finding a match.

Anyone who has used dating apps for a while will be aware of the pitfalls. They will have no doubt encountered the seedier side of online dating.



The most common issue is deception.

Short men will often add a few inches to their height. Obese people will sometimes claim to be ‘a few pounds overweight’. Display pictures might be old, grainy or someone else entirely.

Dating apps are also extremely popular with people who are seeking a casual encounter, or who are married.

The secret to successfully navigating the world of online dating is all about how you approach it. If you stick to a few basic rules, you can avoid many of the pitfalls.

Online Dating Tips For Success

For both men and women, the best online dating tips for success will be the same. Online dating in a pandemic can have its benefits, such as really taking the time to get to know each other, so you want to make sure that you get the most out of it and that you are also aware of the drawbacks. Check out these online dating tips for men and women to thrive in the virtual dating world:

1). FaceTime. If you have connected with someone and you feel that you want to continue to talk to them, insist on seeing who you are talking to. This will immediately eliminate anyone who is not who they say they are. Anyone who refuses to do this is hiding something.

2). Avoid making long-term plans, or getting attached to a specific outcome, until you have met and regularly dated in person. Online chat is a great way to get to know someone, but it is very one dimensional. Spending hours each day on FaceTime shows you how well you get along on FaceTime. It doesn’t show you how you will get along in any other situation or environment.

3). Meet in person as soon as possible. This one is tough in the midst of a global pandemic but it is still as important as it ever was. If you talk to someone for long enough, often enough, you will develop feelings. You will form attachments. This is risky because you are opening your heart to a stranger. Sometimes a client will tell me that they are having a relationship with someone that they have never met. I always remind them that until they have met in person, what they have is a potential relationship. If the person you are talking to pushes for more, remind them that you need to meet before you both get too carried away with what might be.

4). If someone has a partner at home, they may only call or FaceTime you from work, or their car, or at a certain time of the day. Challenge this. If they are single, then they should be able to talk to you freely no matter where they are or what time it is. Ask them to show you around their home or say hi to their friends or family members. If you feel that your interaction is being kept a secret, be wary.

5). Remember that it is very easy to be the best version of yourself in short bursts. We are all chameleons. We put on different faces depending on where we are, and who we are with, (or who we are trying to impress). No one is perfect. We are all a mixture of good, bad and indifferent. If someone appears to be too good to be true, proceed with caution. Lockdown restrictions have isolated many of us, and this can make us vulnerable to online predators, and people who can skilfully paint a picture of a happily ever-after, but may not have the intention or ability to deliver it. Make sure that you are not being drawn into someone else’s fantasy.

6). Have fun! If it isn’t enjoyable, avoid it!





If you have any questions or would like to discuss your own online dating experience please send me a message. I would love to hear from you.