Thoughts & Tips

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Online dating has dramatically changed dating forever. Why leave your home to find a date when you could do it in the comfort of your room? If you find someone, you can meet with them and see if it goes anywhere, and if you don’t, you can block them and never see them again. Simple. At least for someone who doesn’t have time or just feels better finding a date the non-traditional way.

My background with online dating is extensive, and there are many pros and cons. This here will help you get started with your online dating journey!

1. When you meet someone online, safety should be your main priority. It is very common for someone to pretend to be someone else and the last thing you want is to get catfished. The following tips are to avoid being catfished.

• You MUST find a way to video chat with them, that way you can see their ‘life’

Popular ways to do this is through:

• Facetime (iPhone, iPod, iPad)
• Oovoo (available with any computer or smartphone with a front camera or webcam.
• Skype (Same as Oovoo)
• Snapchat (available for smartphones only)
• And so much more (Google: Video chat apps)

With Snapchat, you can send live pictures and videos, and also video chat. Snapchat is by far the most discreet and modern way of proving that this person is who they say they are.

You should never go out with someone unless you know it’s them. (Unless you want to be a daredevil, may the Lord have mercy and may the force be with you.)

Once you meet someone online who has the potential to be your future Significant Other (SO), don’t meet them that same day. Give yourself time to just feel them out a little bit. You want to make sure that you both are still interested in each other after a week or a month.

2. THE Next thing would apply to anyone who is meeting a potential SO for the first time. DO NOT allow yourself to think of the future or get desperate. Allow yourself to live in the moment and at first, let everything happen organically.

• What I mean by organically is that you can’t force a relationship to happen out of the blue. 
• A relationship is something that is slowly built and grows over time. 
• It’s like your ears and nose, never stop growing. 
• If you stop growing with someone as a person, that can lead to the relationship becoming stale, but that topic will be for another day.

3. Your Online Dating Profile:

Making your profile on a dating site can be tedious, but the most important thing is for your profile to be the best picture of you. Not one with your friends. Not a quote or a car or anything that isn’t you. Your first impression is very important on an online dating site. It could be the difference in whether or not this person clicks ‘yes’ on you or swipes left and continues his or her search.

Next is what other pictures should you post next. Try to take pictures from different angles while doing activities. Things that you like, etc. These pictures don’t have to be of you only. The key is to show the person who is checking you out who you are. Helps with the conversation as well. Also, you want this person to know what you look like, so post a full-body picture. (NO NUDES) You don’t want any surprises when you meet this person. Oh, and don’t forget to SMILE!

On your profile, there’s a category where you can talk about yourself and disclose other information like age, gender, sexual orientation, and more. Some of these sites depend on this information for picky people, so fill them out; it won’t kill you. If you take the time to fill these sections out, you will attract more attention.

• For your bio, keep it short and sweet. Post a quote or something brief about you. Leave everything else for the conversation.

Putting myself on spot, check out my profile:

4. The last thing: LET YOUR INTENTIONS BE KNOWN!

If you only want a one-night stand, say so. If you are looking for a relationship, say so. If you only want to be friends, SAY SO. People can’t read your mind, and you shouldn’t waste people’s time. I know that it’s not every day that people can keep it real, but with online dating or traditional dating, you must keep it real at all times! That is, if you want to achieve your relationship or non-relationship goals.

In conclusion, when it comes to dating, make sure you’re safe when you meet someone, let things happen organically, put effort into your profile, and let your intentions be known. Good luck with your online dating!

Thank you for tuning in! God Bless, and we shall talk again soon!