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Ugh, the apps.
Don’t give up just yet!
Benefits of Using Dating Apps
There is no question that the use of dating apps is popular.
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It is estimated there are approximately 323 million registered users on dating platforms worldwide.
Convenience
Taking time to date while also juggling the demands of life can be difficult.
Using dating apps can bring potential connections to you.
The convenience of dating apps allow you to sift through profiles whenever you feel ready to.
“Dating can now be squeezed into spare moments,” says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD.
“When waiting for the elevator or while drinking your morning coffee from home.
The idea of initiating a conversation in person can feel overwhelming and, sometimes, outright scary.
Being able to browse potential partners from the comfort of your home can feel much less risky.
How Can Dating Apps Cause Stress?
Let’s take a look at what may cause some of this stress.
A connection here, a match there, and those connections can feel great.
Thinking about the volume of people can feel overwhelming.
You may begin to feel as if you oughta compete for the attention of potential partners.
This can result in potential dates objectifying themselves if they don’t reign in their competitiveness.
Remember that you do not have to perform to create and maintain a connection.
This can be difficult to keep in mind when feelings of competition andfears of rejectionarise.
Allow yourself to be genuine andconfidentof what you bring to a relationship.
Fear of Rejection
Rejection can happen in the online dating world just as it does in person.
The term “ghosted” means to have someone abruptly stop communicating with no explanation of why.
You may experience connection quickly or it may take some time.
Keep expectations of others, and yourself, realistic and flexible.
Give yourself permission to experience both and remember that this is a process.
By doing this you may end up compromising your values or you might never express them to potential partners.
Remember that a healthy connection, in large part, is developed through a sense of shared values.
Allow yourself a moment to reflect and write down your personal values.
What is important to you?
What are you about?
Stay Emotionally Flexible
Part ofmaintaining realistic expectationsis to understand that you will not connect with everyone.
That is OK and normal through this process.
Keeping this in mind can help more painful moments not feel so personal.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries can help us have healthy relationshipswith others.
The same goes for boundaries with dating apps.
It may be helpful for you to set a specific time to use the apps.
Remember that there are others as wellwho can be of support, even if they are not dating.
Business of Apps.Dating App Revenue and Usage Statistics.
2020;17(3):1116. doi:10.3390/ijerph17031116