Theodora Blanchfield is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and mental health writer using her experiences to help others. She holds a master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and is a board member of Still I Run, a non-profit for runners raising mental health awareness. Whether or not you're new to using dating apps, they can feel overwhelming or frustrating at times.
Remind yourself that it's OK to go slowly. It's even beneficial to take a break from dating apps once in a while. However, used mindfully, dating apps can be a great way to learn more about what you desire in your dating experiences and relationships, as well as potentially meet other single people who share your values. For example, if you are sober, would dating someone who had a few drinks a week be a deal-breaker for you, or vice versa?
If you are religious, would a relationship with someone non-religious or outside of your religion be a non-starter for you? It can pay off to be on several dating apps. While you may be the type of person who makes decisions by creating spreadsheets, Carmichael says the best way to find out the best app for you is to just jump in and try them out. Carmichael views dating as an issue of supply and demand. You are in limited supply; you want to create demand for yourself to increase the likelihood that you meet someone.
Bumble: Women are in the driver's seat for this oneβthey are the ones to message first. For same-sex couples, either party can message first. Tinder: One of the first to introduce the swipe-right format.
Users like it for its simplicity, though it is sometimes synonymized with more casual, hook-up relationships. Grindr: This app is for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people to connect with each other, used predominantly by those who are male-identifying. Dig: If 'must love dogs' is one of your criteria, Dig is known as "the dog person's dating app" for the people who love dogs to find each other.
