Dating was hard enough when we all weren’t stuck in a global pandemic. Now, almost a year since the anniversary of Covid here we all are, still single.
However, this dry spell doesn’t have to be lonely.
Over 82 percent of college students around the world have turned to dating apps like Tinder, Hinge and Bumble to feed their dating crave. With Zoom being our new stomping ground for meetings, classes and interviews, why not turn the platform into a comfortable dating space as well? Most dating apps have even added a feature where you and your match can FaceTime to see if you are compatible. Relationships are still alive and more accessible than ever.
For those lucky few who were in a relationship before the pandemic, dating looks a lot different. To get a real look into the world of Covid dating and relationships, I asked students to give me an idea of what dating has looked like with their partners since March.
Some expressed their newfound interests such as skiing, knitting and cooking. These hobbies have been keeping them busy with their partner. Others have been trying to keep things semi-normal by doing movie marathon nights with lots of snacks.
University of Oregon senior, Taeya Hillman says that her relationship has actually gotten stronger since the start of social-distancing, “We've been cooking for ourselves a lot while restaurants have been closed. We go on drives and scooter rides when we're together. The biggest difference has been that we spend a lot more time with just the two of us. Not having the ability to visit our friends and family has actually strengthened our own relationship and our independence.”
Another student says that they still try new things in their relationship, “We've gone on a few picnics, brought charcuterie boards decked out with cheese, salami, and fruit this past December we rented a cute Airbnb on the coast and just had a night away.”
Romance isn’t dead!
If it isn’t romance, some have experienced friendship which is something that doesn’t happen too often during the pandemic and social distancing. University of Oregon student, Konrad says, “While I'm dating more now and have been especially keen on going on coffee dates given the cold-weather season, I've really noticed how I've made way more friends than I had relationships over covid, which has been loads of fun meeting new people both online and socially distanced in person.”
While many interviewees told me about their untroubled Covid dating lives, others gave me a look into their virtual dating lives. Here are some hopeful examples:
Example 1
Person 1: Hey :)
Person 2: Hi hello
Person 2: You are so cute
Person 1: I was about to say the same thing to you
Person 2: You got me at Hereditary
Person 2: I did that look last year haha!
Person 2: So when can you propose?
Person 1: Right after you agree to go on a date with me
Person 2: You already know I’d be down !!!!!
Example 2
Person 1: I love the pink hair ! it looks so good :)
Person 1: Also do you make any art or have hobbies?
Person 2: Hi cutie :’) yessss I dabble in a tiny bit of a lot, but feel free to drop your insta
Person 2: I’m in advertising pursuing art direction and design! My site is ……
Person 1: I checked out your site, it’s wonderful :)
Person 1: I love going on walks, journaling, reading, writing poetry, and thrifting
With life being turned upside down since March, we are all trying to take life day by day. Whether you’re alone and have no interest in dating, quarantining with a significant other or navigating the world of virtual dating, there are so many options out there for friends, romance or a movie buddy. Maybe I should join the 82 percent and download Hinge!
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