THE NEW DATING SCENE

from ATL Plus Magazine MAR-APR 2023 "Spring Into Action"

RON DONOVAN JAN 2023

Dating In The Era of Covid-19

Dating can bring different thoughts to mind for different people. For some, it’s exciting, fun, and casual,while for others, it’s awkward, complicated, and confusing. Regardless, all sides of the dating population have had a rather large problem to deal with in the past few months: COVID-19. COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. Now more than ever, online dating has revolutionized the dating game. Sites such as Tinder, Grinder, Bumble, and Hinge, have made it easier for people to meet and decide if they’re interested by a simple swipe. Since the pandemic, online dating has curtailed the traditional way of dating. Nonetheless, this “convenience,” has posed many challenges because of social distancing mandates, requiring you to stay at home in order to protect yourself and others. With that being said, dates have had to become creative! While video calling and texting are great ways to get to know someone, it can get slightly mundane and frustrating over time. However, as bars and restaurants begin to open in Atlanta, your “dating life can start “getting back to normal.” with limited capacity and caution.

Below we have come up with a few socially-distanced date ideas that will keep you safe and satisfied! The first idea is a romantic picnic in the park with your date. While you may see Atlanta as a bustling and busy city, there are plenty of scenic parks such as Cloundland Canyon and Piedmont Park, to name a few. You each can separately prepare food and drinks to bring, find a picturesque

Online dating has revolutionized the dating game over the past few years with sites like Tinder, Grinder, Bumble, and Hinge

spot, and enjoy the date with the summer sun beaming down by eating, drinking and getting to know one another. If the date goes well, you can extend it by taking a stroll around the park while taking in the beautiful scenery. virtual double date quiz night! By doing this you can introduce your new date to your friends or vice versa. It’s a great way to introduce them to your inner circle without having to wait until everyone involved is comfortable with face-toface contact. A virtual quiz is a great icebreaker to take the pressure away from your date, and something different to try. A little competition never hurt anyone right?

In addition, you could set up a virtual movie night with your date by installing the ‘Netflix Party’ extension on Chrome or utilize the Zoom screen sharing feature, which allows you both to watch a movie at the same time. This replaces the traditional cinema movie night, and again, it can be a great way to bond. Similarly, you could even start a boxset together, which will give you hours and hours of entertainment together.

If you’re wanting to try something slightly different, and out of the box, you could even try out a virtual escape room together. What better way to escape from reality and bond, than through problem solving? There are a myriad of options available online depending on your preference. The majority of virtual escape rooms are free or are under $10.

Keeping in mind your mental health, exercising, or meditating together is an excellent way to release serotonin; which improves your mood and reduces anxiety. Furthermore, exercising or meditating together may help you get over any initial embarrassment that you may have while getting to know your partner. YouTube is the go-to for finding free exercise routines or guided meditation. You can share your screen over Zoom, that way you will be in sync with each another. Even though COVID-19 has completely changed the world as we knew it, in a matter of months, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, and go on dates, and enjoy life. It just means you have to adapt them slightly to keep yourself and everyone else safe. If COVID-19 hasn’t taught us anything, it has taught us to love, live and enjoy the life we have.