Relephant read: Elephant’s Continually updated Coronavirus Diary. ~ Waylon

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Love can be found in the most unusual and unexpected places.

That’s why I believe love can be found in the midst of social distancing with a few creative solutions.

The current state of our world definitely creates some challenges to finding love, but it also creates a new perspective on dating and making connections.

Remember the days of endless flirting at a concert or social gathering? Or impromptu dates at a local bar? Well, those days will come back again soon enough. But in the meantime, singles can take advantage of social distancing and create new ways to find love and connections.

I’m a matchmaker. Before the coronavirus, I always encouraged people to get off online dating platforms, stop sending endless text messages, and to instead meet people in person. I’m not going to lie: when social distancing was first announced, I had a freak-out moment. How are people going to date? 

After the fear subsided, it hit me that this can be a valuable time for singles to date more successfully, create deeper connections, and practice intense self-care.

That’s right—date more successfully.

Here’s the thing: I’ve noticed that during this time, people are being more authentic and more open about expressing their feelings. It’s in these vulnerable moments of uncertainty that we tune in to what is truly important. We have two choices during this new normal of social distancing: we can either let the panic, fear, and negativity consume us, or we can use it to draw closer to the art of creating authentic relationships.

When crisis hits and the future is uncertain, vulnerability is at an all-time high. People begin to yearn for deeper relationships; they begin to connect on deeper levels than before. Conversations become more authentic than shallow. We begin to share our feelings, our hopes, our fears, and what we want in our future. We want to be near other people and learn more about them. We crave the connection.

So how do we create relationships and more connection—especially potential dating relationships—in a time when we can’t leave our homes? I know dating can be challenging in itself, let alone in a quarantine. So let’s be creative and have some fun with it!

I’ve created a list of five things to do during the quarantine to make your dating life more successful.

1. This is the time to join several online dating sites and start swiping.

Even if you wrote off online dating it’s time to give it a try again. Just think of the millions of singles that are stuck at home and looking for conversation or something to do.

Now, more than ever, more singles are online dating. Major online dating sites are seeing a boost in the number of messages and registrations—some seeing an increase of 30 percent more messages.

Everything has slowed down, which means we’re taking more time to have conversations. We’re not rushing through a dinner date or off to the next event we have to go to, so this is the perfect time to get to know your date. What are their heart-centered qualities? What can you find out that’s great about them? Really get to know them for who they are. You never know what great connections you’ll make during this time. Use the “36 Questions that Lead to Love” by Arthur Aron.

2. Most importantly, make sure you’re taking care of you.

Use this time to practice extra self-care. Have you been putting off starting an exercise routine, eating healthier, or reading a self-development book? Now is the perfect time to start.

Some other practices to help you during this time could be journaling or meditating. Just make sure you’re focusing on practicing self-love daily.

3. Once you find someone you’d like to meet in person, plan a virtual date.

Set up a time for a video chat on Skype or FaceTime.

Make the date special by being creative. Send your date a bottle of wine, flowers, or the same takeout you’re having. Come up with a fun icebreaker, like two truths and a lie, Heads Up, or the 5 Second Rule Game. You could even cook a new recipe together, watch a movie, or learn a new skill while video chatting.

4. Try a virtual speed dating party.

The best part is you’ll get to meet multiple people in one night that you otherwise might not meet.

Each date is only three to five minutes long, and if you like them, you’ll get to connect with your compatible matches after the party.

5. Check out virtual happy hours.

A lot of niche groups are offering virtual happy hours where everyone can join on a video conference call setting. Check out local meetup groups and see what they have to offer.

When we connect with people who enjoy similar interests and activities, it opens the doors to possibly amazing connections.

You can also set up your own virtual happy hour. Invite five friends and have each invite five other friends over a video conferencing software. And make sure your friends know to invite some of their cute single friends or family members.

The virtual happy hour could even turn into a wine tasting or trivia night.

You never know who you could meet even while social distancing. Remember to keep your options open and try something new each week to keep the connections flowing. Soon this will be over and you’ll have a great stories to tell of who you met while in quarantine.

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