Distanced DATING
Single? You NEED to read this…
If you’re looking for love right now, the dating world has never been more confusing. We might be able to swap mega-awkward Zoom dates for actual face-toface meet-ups now, but social distancing means a cheeky snog at the end of the night is off the
menu at the moment.
However, if you’re one of the many people who survived the last few months alone, you could be aching to find yourself a life buddy to share your stash of banana bread with if there’s ever a second lockdown. Equally, being confined in your house together may have been the final straw for your relationship, so now you’re emerging from this pandemic single and ready to get your mingle on.
How do we navigate this strange new world of dating without giving up completely and taking a vow of celibacy? We called on ultimate love guru, Celebs Go Virtual Dating’s Anna Williamson – her words of wisdom will ensure that by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be ready to grab your happy ever after, whatever that looks like for you…
From a distance
As we emerge from our tight social bubbles, what does the future of dating actually look like? “We need to remember that this is temporary and we can take so many positives when these things happen,” reassures Anna. “Snogging and having sex might be out of the question, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy ourselves privately when we need to, so let’s embrace that. Sex toys have been selling out online, and why not? This is the time to really get to know our own bodies and desires. We should also take this golden opportunity to hone our dating skills in a different way. What has been lacking for so long in this swipe-right, swipe-left culture is meaningful communication. We’re hopefully leaving the sorting-throughthe-dick-pics era for a period where we can look at how to build meaningful relationships and communicate better.”
Don’t kiss, just talk
Anna recommends taking advantage of the opportunity to take things slowly. Really make time to get to know someone, find out about their background and reevaluate what you really want in a potential partner, so that you create a rock-solid foundation for a long-term relationship. “It’s about working on those foundations without quick-fix bunk-ups – which, inevitably, will fizzle out really quickly,” says Anna. “It’s been so fascinating putting this to the test on Celebs Go Virtual Dating, as it turns out that socially distanced dating is exactly the same as normal dating, you just have to work a bit harder on different skills.”
The friend zone
One thing you may be worried about is spending so long “getting to know each other” that things turn platonic before they get the chance to get physical. But, Anna reassures us, if the feelings are there, you’re gonna get freaky eventually. “Sexual chemistry is a very important part of dating, and if you’re not feeling that connection, maybe that’s just because you don’t fancy that person. Don’t forget that, during a socially distanced date, you will automatically enhance some of the other senses that perhaps
get dulled with virtual dating. By seeing someone in the flesh, even at a distance, you’ve got eye contact, body language, you can smell them – so there are loads of other ways to be able to convey our sexual interest, and that can
‘Sexual chemistry is important’
be just as exciting as just jumping into bed after five minutes. Also, there is nothing sexier than the anticipation of having sex when you’re eventually allowed to. You can get all the other stuff nailed and then imagine that mindblowing moment when you get to tear each other’s clothes off.”
Single forever?
If all this all sounds a bit overwhelming – especially after a break from the dating game – you might be wondering if you can really be bothered to put yourself out there, or if it’s easier to vow to be single for the rest of your life, even if that means never touching another human again. “Isolation and loneliness have been a big part of this pandemic – especially for single people – so make sure you have your network of friends there for you who can help pick you up if you’re having a low time,” Anna advises. “If you’re feeling a bit meh about dating, ask yourself are you doing this because you feel you should or because you’re bored? Now might not be the best time to dive back into the dating game. But if you are up for it, I would say be choosy about where you’re looking, get yourself into a really good frame of mind and be really clear about what you’re looking for.” n