Anyone who has used dating apps has probably experienced dating-app burnout at some point.
Dating app burnout essentially refers to feeling fatigued, overwhelmed, and fed-up with dating apps.
Maybe swiping used to be fun, but now it fills you with dread. Maybe you feel anxious about replying to messages, or maybe you feel that the whole process is just a massive chore.
At the end of the day, dating should be fun. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Whether it’s in person or online, the process should bring you the good kind of butterflies, and make you feel excited when you match with someone you really fancy.
Here are five useful tips to help avoid dating app burnout, and to keep dating fun and exciting.
Set A Time Limit
If you find yourself somehow spending hours each day swiping through every eligible partner in a 20-mile radius, you’ll likely reach a burnout stage. Set yourself a simple goal of only checking dating apps for 30 minutes a day (or whatever time limit works for you) and split this across the morning and afternoon. This should prevent it from becoming an endless chore, and should make it more fun when you do swipe.
Swipe With The Right Attitude
This is key. If you think dating apps are terrible, or assume that you’ll have a nightmare on them, then you probably will. The more negative your attitude towards them, the more of a chore they will feel.
Start viewing dating apps as a fun way to connect with new people, and as the perfect place to show off the best photos of yourself. Keep an open mind, and enjoy the process.
I have had some very odd dating app encounters and some disappointing ones, too. As much as I can, I try and take it on the chin and laugh about it. You get some hilarious stories out of dating apps, as well as lots of flirty, ego-boosting conversations! With a positive outlook, it really can be a good experience.
Avoid Swiping When You’re Down
Just stalked the Instagram of your ex’s new girlfriend? Don’t swipe. Had a family dinner where everyone constantly asked you if you were seeing someone? Don’t swipe. Sick of your friends going on about their ‘perfect’ relationships? Don’t swipe.
When you’re feeling low about yourself, and/or your single-ness, try to avoid opening up your dating apps. If you’re having one of those days where you think you’re going to be single forever, or that time is running out to find someone, everyone you swipe on will seem terrible. They won’t seem as attractive as your ex, or as kind as your friend’s partners.
Try to go on dating apps when you’re feeling good about yourself. This will make the whole process seem more fun, and less likely to irritate you or cause burnout.
Take A Hiatus
If you are beginning to feel fatigued, stressed, and anxious by dating apps, it might be time to take a break from them. Dating apps should never be a chore or something that you ‘have’ to do.
Your free time should be spent in a way that relaxes you and makes you feel good. Simply give yourself a couple of weeks of complete swiping freedom. After this hiatus, you should feel refreshed and excited to get back into the dating world.
Stop Putting Pressure On Yourself To Find ‘The One’
There should be zero pressure, when online dating, to find someone quickly to fall in love with. The idea that we have to date to find ‘the one’ is archaic and frustrating. More often than not, trying really hard to meet the perfect person probably won’t help you meet someone you want to settle down with.
Instead, this pressure can make the dating app process feel like a pain or something that is a last resort because you didn’t magically bump into your future spouse whilst queueing for a coffee. When the pressure is taken away from dating, you’ll feel more invigorated, free, and excited.
You could always try just dating casually on dating apps to build up your confidence and to figure out what you like (and don’t like), before you decide to try to find something more serious. In fact, according to BARE Dating’s survey of UK singles, nearly 1 in 3 singles are after something casual on dating apps.
BARE is aimed at those seeking connections with new people and having fun, as opposed to finding someone to fall in love with. BARE has three status options you can choose from: ‘something less serious’, ‘something more serious’, and ‘open to options’. This ensures that both you and your matches know what each other wants, preventing any confusion or mix-up. Hence it’s the perfect dating app to try if you’re beginning to feel fed up with other apps!
Download BARE here.
