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There are now more dating app users looking for serious relationships than ever

Photo credit: HEX
Photo credit: HEX

From Cosmopolitan

While the pandemic has without question cockblocked single people, it turns out there is actually some good news to be extracted from the miserable trashscape that was 2020 (and is 2021).

For anyone single and using dating apps to look for a long-term partner, dating pre-pandemic is likely to have been tiresome at some point. Of course, not everyone on a dating app is looking to settle down (and that's absolutely fine). But if you are one of the single angels risking developing swiping-induced RSI in the hope of meeting someone who wants the same thing as you, it's likely you've had to wade through a bunch of matches who are more interested in hooking up, being friends, or messaging indefinitely without even an ounce of intention to meet up.

It seems though, that the pandemic has got people thinking about what they really want, and in turn it's made a lot of them realise they do want something ~serious~. New research from Hinge which looked into how users' dating habits, thoughts and feelings have changed since the pandemic, has found 53% say they are now ready for a long-term, serious relationship. This is the main way in which the pandemic has affected their dating goals. One in three said they feel more urgency than ever to find a partner. And, 59% reported that they had become more open-minded about who they want to date.

Photo credit: Brianna  R / 500px
Photo credit: Brianna R / 500px

"Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen daters become more intentional. They used their additional free time at home to think more about who they are, what they’re looking for in a relationship, and what behaviours they want to change," explains Logan Ury, director of relationship science at Hinge."

Logan says users are being more thoughtful and taking their time before "diving into a relationship". She says she have also stopped chasing people who aren't interested in them. And the most common dating resolution Hinge users are making for 2021? To stop overthinking it and "try to be more in the moment" when they date.

"Dating can be stressful. Will I ever find someone? When will I meet my person? Those anxious feelings are exacerbated during stressful and uncertain times. One in three Hinge users report that the pandemic has led to them to overthink the little details," she adds. "

We recommend focusing less on how you think you’re going to come across, and focusing more on connecting with the person you’re talking to. The goal is to have a good time and enjoy yourself."

So if you're a dating app user looking for long-term love, maybe hold onto hope for a little bit longer.

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