Finding love online seems to be the most common way of connecting with new people these days, but it’s far from the only way to date! If you’re looking for the one but don’t want to use dating apps, try these tips instead.
Interesting facts about online dating
- A lot of the people finding love online (or looking for it) are younger. A 2019 Pew study of 4,860 American adults found that about 30% of people have used dating apps, but this varies depending on age group. Perhaps unsurprisingly, roughly half (48%) of 18- to 29-year-olds say they’ve used an app, along with 38% of 30- to 49-year-olds. Once you hit 50 or above, the number plummets to 16%.
- Members of the LGBTQI+ community are more likely to try online dating. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are twice as likely to try online dating, with 55% of people saying they’re fans of finding love online compared with 28% of the general population.
- Not everyone has had a positive experience with dating online. While 57% of online daters say they had a generally positive experience with dating apps, four in 10 say that it was at least somewhat negative. In addition, 45% of respondents say they ended up feeling more frustrated than hopeful (28%) after their attempt at finding love online failed.
- Not everyone partaking in online dating is actually single. Wingman reports that 7% of people admit to using online dating specifically to cheat on a partner. Meanwhile, 23% are looking for casual sex, meaning if you’re intent on finding love online, it may be an uphill battle.
Alternatives to finding love online
- Every social interaction has the potential to bloom into love. The top thing to remember when you want to find love without using dating apps is this. Every single social interaction you have has the potential to lead to romance. You might meet someone at the post office, the beach, or even walking your dog down the street, who could turn out to change your life. Don’t write anyone off. Even if the person you meet isn’t a match, they might know someone who could be. Mutual friends is one of the best ways to find love, so connect with as many people as you can.
- Be open to dating a colleague. Dating experts are divided on whether dating your colleagues is a good idea. Even if you don’t fall in love with a co-worker, you can still find love in the workplace just by meeting new people. Maybe your co-worker isn’t right for you, but they could have a cousin or a best friend who is. So don’t be afraid to attend as many work social events as you can.
- Ask your friends to hook you up. As mentioned, friends are one of the most effective avenues through which to find love. If your best friends all have partners, don’t feel sorry for yourself because you’re the only single one. Instead, get to know their partners. And their partners’ friends and family. Attend events that your friends hold, whether it’s a huge party or a small get-together. If your friends want to set you up with someone and they’re not a walking red flag, go along with it.
- Be present at the grocery store. It sounds silly, but the grocery store is a great place to meet people. Remember, every social interaction has the potential to lead you to love. Make eye contact with other shoppers. If you see someone who interests you, smile at them. Most people hurry into the grocery store, keep their eyes down, get their products, and then get out as quickly as they can. Rather than treating it like a chore, be present and notice the people around you. Don’t be afraid to make conversation with people who seem receptive.
- Talk to people on public transport. Similarly, public transport is another gem for meeting new people. Take out your air pods and chat to the people sitting around you. Even if you don’t find them attractive, a friendship or acquaintanceship can result in you meeting more people. And the more people you meet, the more likely you are to find someone you really connect with.
- Acknowledge strangers everywhere. As a rule of thumb, try to acknowledge strangers that you pass, whether you’re walking around your neighborhood or running errands. You don’t have to make conversation with everyone, but even making eye contact can set the right foundations.
- Start volunteering. According to Your Tango, volunteering is a great way to meet new people. It’s also a good way to meet like-minded people. Though you can find love anywhere, you’ll have a better chance of finding the one by targeting people who are similar to you. If you’re passionate about a cause, volunteering for that cause will bring you together with people who have similar passions.
- Join a sports club. In the same way, joining a sports club will join you with others who have similar interests. This is a great way to make new friends in general, but can also help you to find love without having to go online. The added bonus is that a sports club will help you to tick off your exercise goals, so it’s a win-win. Explore team sports that you enjoy or even consider joining a gym.
- Learn a new skill. Finding love online isn’t the only way to meet someone new—not when you can take a class and learn a new skill. Again, by enrolling in a class, you’ll find yourself placed with others who have similar interests to you. Classes are a great way to meet new people because they often require interactive and group exercises, so you’ll end up talking to a bunch of new people.
- Attend reunions and alumni events. The thought of attending a reunion or alumni event may be daunting. But if you can find the confidence, this is another effective way to meet new people and get closer to finding love. People change over time, so don’t write off people who you have disliked in the past. Attend the event with an open mind and be prepared to talk to a variety of people.
- Get involved with a social group. Any social group can help you to find love without having to use dating apps or go online. Whether it’s a walking group, a dining group, an animal-lovers’ group, or another kind of group, anything that gets you interacting with others is a good idea. Meetup.com is a wonderful tool for finding different social groups in your area. You never know who you might run into!
