Modern Dating: Tips for Finding Love in the 21st Century

“I can’t believe how convenient online dating is! Now, my dream of finding love can be crushed more efficiently & in the privacy of my own home.” - Unknown.

Traditional dating is slowly becoming a relic of the past. The old-fashioned way of meeting someone through friends, family, or social activities is now replaced by an easier and more convenient way—online dating.

Gone are the days when meeting someone in person is the first step of any romantic pursuit. Today, you can just swipe left and right on your mobile phone and choose your potential match. This modern method stands in contrast to the experiences of men from previous generations who had to rely on patience and persistence to elicit a response from women they were interested in.

While it is true that there are still men who prefer the ways of traditional dating, they are becoming extremely rare. The convenience and long reach of online dating has men leaving their olden ways.

However, modern dating has not only improved how men and women meet, it has also brought changes in people’s behaviors when it comes to dating—both good and bad. Ghosting, relationship shopping, and breadcrumbing, are only some terms you need to familiarize yourself with in the current dating scene.

But don’t get us wrong—modern dating is not all that bad. Because like traditional dating, the quality of your experience depends on the people involved. In fact, we’ve got tips to help you navigate the modern dating culture despite these changes.

5 Tips for Finding Love in the 21st Century

Modern dating can be challenging for a number of reasons, but even so, you can still have a healthy relationship in the 21st Century. Here are some tips on how you can date in today’s world:

1. Be Authentic.

There are already countless posers and scammers in today’s world. This makes it difficult for everyone to trust the people they meet online or even in person. So, don’t be one of them. Express your true self and be you. You don’t need to pretend to be someone you’re not. In a relationship, “fake it, ‘til you make it” should not be your motto, or you will lose in the end.

2. Be Optimistic.

You can’t be sure that you’ll find love in this modern world, but you also can’t be sure that you won’t. Modern dating might have changed the dating rules, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find someone who is genuine and who will love you for who you are. Believe in yourself that you can find someone who is willing to accept you for you. Because if you don’t, no one else will.

3. Be Truthful.

Make sure to show your real intentions. Don’t lead someone on and make her believe that you are interested. You’re just going to waste both of your time. But if you enjoy playing games, you can go ahead and do that—just be ready for the consequences. Mind you, the consequences of deceiving someone can be heavier than you expect.

4. Be Respectful.

Respect is one of the keys to finding and maintaining a healthy relationship. You have to remember that you may not share the same opinions and views on some matters. You just need to be considerate and sensitive to others’ opinions. That way, you will make your date more comfortable and at ease with you.

5. Have Fun!

Having fun is not equal to playing around. Having fun means making your experience enjoyable and memorable for both of you. A little flirting here and there is fine if it will make your conversation exciting. But know your limits if you don’t want to spoil the fun.

Why Is Online Dating so Hard for Guys

While online dating has helped us connect to people in just a few clicks and swipes of our fingers, this also makes dating a little harder for some. Men, specifically, experience more difficulty in the world of online dating. Some of the most common reasons why online dating is hard for guys are the following:

1. The odds are stacked against you.

Try searching the gender ratio in online dating. You will find out that there are more men on various dating apps than there are women. What does this mean? Well, it simply means that women have more options than men. And therefore, they can be selective in choosing a man to talk to.

2. It’s hard to be noticed.

With the strong competition between men in different online dating apps, it can be hard for some men to stand out. You have to learn how to make your profile catchy and different from the others to make a good impression.

3. It’s easy to lose heart.

Rejections can be pretty tough to overcome—especially if you’ve been matched several times already. You have to remember that online dating is like a game of chance, every day is not your lucky day. You just need to continue playing and keep trying with the hope of winning in the end.

Learning How to Date in Today’s World

Negative behavioral changes in modern dating might make someone believe that modern dating is toxic. With the many different ways to meet people, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. But you don’t need to be afraid to put yourself out there and start dating. Eventually, you will find someone you’re interested in and who will be interested in you too.

You’ve probably heard this advice over a million times already but it still works: Just be yourself. It’s the best way to be happy and find people who will really love you for who you are. If you are trying to be someone you’re not, the people around you will notice.

Dating may be different now due to technological advancement but you don’t always need to be the “out with the old, in with the new” kind of person. There’s no harm in combining traditional and modern ways of dating. What’s important is you are showing your true self and enjoying the process without losing your values.