The world is drowning in secular dating apps. Why? Because people use them and they use them a lot.
In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 27% of young adults report using online dating sites, which is up 10% from 2013.
Sure, online dating services and mobile dating apps can be frustrating sometimes. But here are four healthy habits to cultivate when you log into dating sites and dating apps.
1. Update your profile regularly
Filling out an online dating profile can be stressful. It’s tempting to plug in your information once and then walk away. After all, who wants to fill it out again? But your online dating profile is not something to fill out and then walk away from.
Just as your interests shift and change, so should your profile. If your profile picture features you at a local art festival, change it up after a particularly interesting evening concert you recently enjoyed. An updated bio on dating sites can help you meet more people! Featuring updated images from your daily life can provide conversation material for potential matches.
But regardless of how often you switch things up, one thing to always keep consistent is authenticity and honesty.
“To make sure that you find people you’ll be compatible with, make sure they can find you,” advises Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a psychology professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “If you fudge the truth, you’ll only be setting yourself up for disappointment and wasted opportunities.”
2. Don’t abandon friends and family
Looking for new love is exciting. But don’t forget the love of your friends and family in your search for a romantic relationship. Make sure to put down your phone and log out of dating websites to spend time with those you love.
If you’re an online dating site user, there’s no need to be ashamed about your search for love. Keep your friends and family in the loop about the men or women you’re meeting.
How can you practically cultivate this habit in your love life? Ask for advice about your dating profile if you’re second-guessing your content. According to the Pew Research Center, one in five online daters have asked someone else to help them with their profile.
Friends and family are invaluable resources to Catholic singles looking to meet potential partners.
3. Read someone’s entire profile
Swiping right or left, endless scrolling, and profile skimming are all temptations of online dating. It’s easy to look at an online dating app as a sort of relationship catalog. But you can’t pick and choose traits of your potential partner.
One healthy habit to form when you’re logged onto an online dating app is to respect the dignity of other online dating app users. What does this look like practically? Make a resolution to read someone’s entire online dating profile. Don’t just skim through profile pictures. Instead, strive to authenticity in your interactions with others online.
4. Realize that no one can complete you
Are you searching for your soulmate, someone who can complete you? Instead of believing that a dating relationship can bring total fulfillment into your life, spend time cultivating healthy expectations.
Long-term relationships, online daters, and scores of potential matches cannot fulfill the aching of your heart for love. Even the world’s largest dating website isn’t big enough to fill the desire of your heart. Only God can fulfill you.
Expecting total fulfillment from men or women is unfair for both you and your potential partners. Instead, cultivate a healthy prayer life and ask the Lord to help you be satisfied with him first.
5. Be honest about your expectations
Online dating websites are great places to meet new people in your city, form friendships, or look for love. But make sure that you’re being honest about your expectations in your dating profile.
If you’re just looking to meet new people, make sure to note your desires in your profile.
Being authentic on your own profile will help you meet like-minded people during your time on online dating apps. Don’t wait until you meet someone to share your expectations. Listing them in profile can help improve your online dating experience and your communication with those you meet online.
