Lat year is long gone, and I’m sure you’re ready to leave those failed dates and flopped relationships behind!
It’s time to embrace a new year, but what does that mean in terms of your dating life? Well, it’s a great time to set some goals when it comes to romance. I know. Planning romance seems counterintuitive. Fairy tales and rom-coms have taught us that we should just leave it to fate.
But it’s not quite that easy. Technology, particularly dating apps, has changed the game when it comes to dating. And this means dating for women is going to be a whole new game in 2024.
This year is all about setting intentions and listening to your gut when it comes to love. Now, let’s get into the details of doing just that with some guidelines for dating women in 2024.
Date with intention
There’s that word again: intention. It seems to have been all over the place for the last few years. But there’s actually something to it. And dating with intention could change your dating rut.
So, how can you change your dating life in 2024 by dating with intention?
Identify what you want
Ok, this may be easier said than done. But this is the most important part of having a dating life that you’re happy with. You don’t have to be looking for a lifelong partner to be successful at dating. You just have to be clear with yourself and the people you’re seeing about what you want.
What are your options? Well, the great thing about dating today is that “alternative” relationships are more common than ever. In fact, one of my closest friends just informed me that she and her husband are getting divorced but will continue dating. They just didn’t feel that marriage worked for them, so they are making their own rules. And I, for one, am all for it!
This new relationship freedom means that you could have any type of dating experience you want. So, identify what you’re looking for. Are you looking for something purely physical and are content with just hooking up? Or maybe you want something more than that and are interested in a casual relationship. Or perhaps you are ready to fully commit to someone.
Whatever it is, just be honest with yourself about it. That’s the first step to finding it.
Be open to new experiences
I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t I just tell you to set some intentions and figure out what you want from your dating experiences? Well, yes, I did. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the journey. In fact, along the dating journey, your desires will likely change thanks to new experiences.
It’s important to set your boundaries but not to limit yourself. So, you’re looking for a long-term relationship. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the various first dates along the way. Don’t think of them as dead ends but as experiences.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve taken to living my life as though it’s a sitcom, with a laugh track in the background at all times. Sounds silly, right? Well, that’s precisely the point. Life doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.
Ideally, your dating life will give you passion, fun, and companionship. But dating will also inevitably give you some funny, awkward, and maybe even strange stories.
Embrace it all. Remember, it’s great material for the memoir.
Dating for women
It’s time to address the elephant in the room: dating apps. I know, we all have a love-hate relationship with them. While you don’t have to be on dating apps, you may want to give them a try.
Personally, I prefer meeting someone in person. However, I’ve also tried my hand at dating apps and have actually had a couple of pretty big romances with them.
But, just as intention is important in dating in general, it’s also important when it comes to dating apps. Using the right app can be key.
Choosing your dating app
You have a seemingly limitless number of dating apps to choose from. However, some are more popular than others.
Bumble
Bumble works similarly to many other apps. You basically swipe right on the people you’re interested in and left on those you’re not. You will create a profile that can be as detailed or mysterious as you like. Bumble provides some questions you can also make use of to answer in ways that best portray you.
Sounds pretty standard, right? Well, this app is actually aimed at women. Why’s that? Women make the first move. That means that if you match with someone, they won’t be able to message you first. You can take the lead. You also only have 24 hours to decide if you want to write them or not. And they have 24 hours to decide to write back. After that, they disappear into the bumble void.
Happn
Happn follows a similar trend of swiping left or right on potential matches. With one exception: it is location-specific. That means that it will only show you people who’ve been in the same general vicinity as you.
This is great if you prefer to meet in person. You could potentially bump into each other out and about in your daily lives. However, it also may feel somewhat invasive if you’re a private person or if things go south (i.e., stalkers could love this app).
Hinge
Hinge is marketed as a dating app for people who want to stop using dating apps for good. Basically, this is where you want to go if you’re looking for a long-term partner.
While the majority of dating apps with long-term relationship goals tend to be geared towards an older generation, Hinge is not. It’s meant for a younger demographic that’s looking for meaningful and lasting relationships.
OkCupid
OkCupid was one of the first in the online dating game. In fact, my sister and her partner met on this website nearly ten years ago. Of course, now there is also an OkCupid dating app in addition to the website.
OkCupid is meant for finding a compatible match. In fact, there’s quite a bit of legwork required to complete the profile. You’ll have to answer a variety of multiple-choice questions. From there, Robo Cupid comes in to find your love match based on your answers. In that way, this app is great for finding deeper connections as it isn’t solely based on pictures.
Tinder
Ah, Tinder. We all love to hate it. This is the most popular dating app on the scene, so you’ve likely heard of it or habitually use it. Matches are based on photos that users choose. Profiles are usually short. It’s more about the looks than the depth, usually.
Tinder tends to be known as a hookup app. However, for every generalization, there are plenty of exceptions. And with over 55 billion matches made on this app, there are bound to be millions (maybe even billions?) of exceptions.
Dating apps aren’t magic
It’s important to have realistic expectations when you start using these apps. At first, they can be exhilarating. It seems like you have an endless supply of dating options. After a while, the charm wears off, and it can become exhausting.
The best way to have success with dating apps is by knowing what you want, setting boundaries, and being open to the unexpected.
I’ve been on and off dating apps for seven years. I truly fell head over heels for one person through an app. However, I’ve made a five-year best friend and had some enjoyable dating experiences along the way. Alternatively, I’ve also had some total flops.
I’ve said it before, but embrace the journey when it comes to dating. That especially goes for dating apps, too.
How to have the best dating experience
Okay, while we probably all want to find love, at least once in a while, it’s not going to happen on every date. And, if it does, you may need to reevaluate some things.
So, how can we find passion, fun, and maybe even love when dating?
Communicate expectations
Knowing what you want won’t get you anywhere if you aren’t willing to communicate those wants and needs. Have hard conversations about relationships and expectations if you hit it off with someone.
This is key. You’ll never find a long-term serious partner in a guy who has openly stated that he only wants something casual.
Listen to others’ boundaries. Respect your own. And date accordingly.
Use the right apps
Many dating apps are quite similar; however, certain apps are intended for certain things. In fact, there are numerous paid and free apps for all types of daters that we haven’t even mentioned. From kinky preferences like finding a unicorn, to vegetarians, being separated, polyamorous relationships, regular relationships, you can literally find an app for it all.
After understanding what you’re looking for, choose the app that works for you. Put some love into your profile. And, if it’s not working out, don’t be afraid to switch to a different app.
Be open to meeting someone IRL
Just because you’re on dating apps doesn’t mean that you should have your face glued to them when going about your daily life. In fact, put your phone away when it’s not absolutely necessary to be on it. Experience what’s going on, at the moment, in the world around you.
Being open and inviting when in certain social situations will naturally draw people to you. So, don’t close off from the real world. After all, that’s where the real dating fun happens.
Stay positive
After a slew of bad dates, it can be easy to get down on dating in general. But, getting negative about the whole experience won’t help anything.
Try to keep a positive outlook. Think of every new date as a completely fresh experience. And definitely don’t compare your potential dates to past flames! Take each person as they are, and you’re sure to have a better experience– even if it is just fodder for that romance novel.
Take dating breaks
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything going on in your life, then take a break from dating. Dating can take up a decent amount of time and energy. If you’re prioritizing starting a new business endeavor, don’t feel bad about not having dates lined up every weekend. Focus on you. Dates will come and go, but you should always be your number one.
Likewise, if you feel like you’re in a slump or can’t get positive after a few bad dating experiences, take a break! Pause or delete your dating app and take some time for yourself. When you’re ready, put yourself back out in the dating scene.
Make dating fun!
Ok, I know, it sounds cheesy even as I write it. Believe me, I’m no stranger to bad dates. And I certainly know how easy it is to get frustrated with the current dating world. However, it does no good to be dating and not have any fun.
Consider getting on dating apps if you aren’t already. If you aren’t seeing success with them, then mix it up. Switch to a different platform and take the time to write a meaningful profile. But, most importantly, be open to meeting someone the old-fashioned way (in person).
Dating for women in 2024 is all about you being in control. So, set your dating intentions. Know your limits and boundaries. And get out there and have a good time!
