Never in the history of the world has there been a better reason to choose online dating.
Here we all are, socially distant in the middle of a pandemic. The good news? Technology is more advanced than ever.
If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of online dating, you’re probably quickly discovering them.
Whether you are diving into the world of Catholic dating or going the secular route, the only place to have any luck right now is on the internet.
Sure, we understand that this is a tough time. Everyone is struggling. Date ideas have never been so hard to come by.
But if you want to look at the glass half full, you have to admit that it’s a great time to take a good look at all the benefits online dating has to offer.
Need some inspiration?
Check out the date ideas below for help in dating through a pandemic.
1. Host a private book club
With normally so little time to read, now is the perfect time to catch up on all those books you want to read.
Want to go on a virtual date, but not sure what to do?
Pick a book you can both agree on and start reading. Set a time each evening (or once a week if that’s too much), to meet online and talk about what you’ve read so far.
2. Have a romantic dinner together
Yes you read that right. Even though you can’t sit across the table from each other in person, that doesn’t mean you can’t sit down together online.
Set your laptop up at your table and open a bottle of wine. Pour a glass together and then share what you’re each eating.
Sure, it’s not the same when you can’t sneak a quick hand holding under the table.
But hey, at least you can’t catch a virus through a harmless sneeze this way!
3. Go on a nature walk together
This is one one my favorite date ideas because anyone can do it and it’s fun!
Pick a trail or even a loop around your neighborhood to walk and take your date with you via a phone call.
Online dating doesn’t always have to take place within the confines of your home.
The great thing about smart phones is that you can bring a person to life right beside you, even when they’re not physically there.
4. Pray together
This wouldn’t be a Catholic dating post if I didn’t throw in a praying together date idea!
At a time when we are all feeling pretty lonely, praying with someone over the computer or phone can be a comfort.
Which prayer do you prefer to pray with others? The Rosary? A Novena?
Pick a prayer or two and set a time in which you can both meet Jesus at the same time.
5. Come up with some great date ideas together
What better way to get to know a person than to see what things they enjoy?
Struggling to find some great date ideas? Ask your date!
Sit down with a pen and a paper and make a list of date ideas that you think would be really fun.
Of course, they have to be online dating ideas for now. But you can also look forward with hope to when Coronavirus is in the rear view mirror and you can spend quality time together, face to face.
When you’re done, meet your date online and compare lists. Talk about what things sound good and what you’d like to do.
6. Enjoy a fire pit together
If the weather is nice where you are and you have access to an outdoor fire pit, grab a beer (or glass of wine) and head outside one evening for a good chat online.
Not all date ideas work out perfectly of course. So if you don’t have a great outdoor space, pull up a fire screensaver on Youtube (there are plenty!) and use that instead.
7. Enjoy a game night
Perhaps one of the most underrated online date ideas is game night. Games like Pictionary can be fun, even over a computer!
Find a game that both of you enjoy (Go Fish, anyone?), log on and get playing.
You’ll find yourself laughing and so involved in the game that you’ll forget you’re not actually together.
8. Play the question game
Without physical distractions, this is a great time to really dive in and get to know one another.
The question game is one of my favorite date ideas. Whether you’re a Catholic dating pro or navigating online dating for the first time, this is a winner.
Need a place to begin? Try these 99 questions for starters.
9. Learn a new skill together
It’s obvious that some of the things people are enjoying the most right now are everyday things like eating, drinking and binging on Netflix.
But what about grasping this as an opportunity to try something new?
Have you ever wanted to learn to play the guitar?
To knit?
To build a fire pit in your backyard?
Technology these days affords us endless possibilities when it comes to learning new things.
Share a screen and watch a Youtube tutorial together and get crafting (or playing or building).
Learning something new is fun, and learning it with someone else is even better.
Make your glass half full
Yes these are unprecedented times and yes we are all a little freaked out. Who knows what the future holds?
Maybe it’s a good time to remember that Jesus repeatedly asks us to focus on the here and now.
Instead of letting yourself wallow in loneliness or succumbing to the anxiety so easily induced during this time, try and make the best of it.
Embrace online dating in a new way. The dating of the future is here.
Enjoy the creative date ideas above and stay healthy and safe.
