After nearly a year of a worldwide pandemic, dating in 2021 might not look the same as it did before 2020. With most countries still on restrictions and doing their best to honor social distancing, many daters have found ways to connect safely. From online dating to romantic roleplay games to shared deliveries and streaming sessions, dating will look as virtual as it did in 2020 until the pandemic lifts. If you’re lonely and are considering dipping your toe into the 2021 dating pool, here’s what to expect.
Flower Deliveries
In the days before the global pandemic, it was easy to pick up some flowers on the way to date. With virtual dating, the best way to maintain social distancing is that places like The Bouqs Co have become lifesavers for those who want a personal connection without the Covid-19 risk. Because of this, 2021 will look similar to how it had in 2020. Online dating sites will stay busy, and bouquets will likely make their way between partners through contactless deliveries.
While it might sound depressing, there’s also something special about receiving flowers or other gifts when you can’t have close contact. For those with public health on the mind, it can also be quite romantic to take more time in getting to know each other before the physical part of a dating relationship enters the picture. Because of this, relationships in 2021 are likely to be a little deeper and more connected with less one night stands and longer getting to know each other periods.
Virus Testing and Safety
With healthcare providers recommending covid-19 testing to people experiencing symptoms of covid-19, the dating pool will mean more antibody tests and the sharing of test results before meeting in person. The same way partners have communicated about STD tests in the past, Covid-19 will become part of the normal conversation before meeting in 2021.
With many public places putting restrictions on group gatherings and meetings, dating may also mean more outdoor activities or one on one home visits. For this reason, it’ll be important to address safety concerns ahead when meeting someone for the first time. Along with that face covering, you’ll want to think about giving addresses to trusted family and friends when meeting a stranger who you only know online.
Connecting Online
In 2021, dating will continue to be about meeting online. Because it’s obviously harder to meet in public places with shutdowns and social gathering restrictions, the best way to meet someone will be to sign up for an online dating site. The great news here is that there is a wide variety of dating sites now online. From sites dedicated to certain demographics like age or sexual identity and preference to sites for specific religions or even lifestyles like farming, there’s a dating site for everyone. A simple google search of the types of dating sites you might be interested in will open your world in the area of romantic potential.
Once you connect with someone online, dating in 2021 will mean using apps, technology, computers, and more to connect. From playing getting to know you trivia games to shared movie streaming and first dates that mean ordering take out from the same place simultaneously, the dating pool will mean finding creative ways to show your virtual care as you wait on those negative test results.
Virtual Role-Play
Many couples have and will continue to turn to virtual online romantic games for their relationships. Whether they chose to take their role-play characters and lives into the real world or keep them online, this will continue to be a trend in the upcoming year.
While things will look different in 2021 than they once did, the benefits to slower and online dating mean better getting to know you periods, fewer complications from the physical side of relationships, and often long-lasting friendships. If you decide to jump in the dating pool now, do it knowing things have changed a bit, but there’s still that same old potential of finding your true love, and that might make it all worth it.