Your profile vs. the real world
I recently approached one of my stunning single friends and encouraged her to begin crafting a blog tailored for our fellow single Instadaters. Her dedication and effort have truly exceeded expectations and you will be seeing a lot more posts from her. As the owner of Instadate I hope you discover some valuable insights on dating from her, and together, we can strive to revive the meaningful connections we all deserve!
Here is what she has to say...
After navigating through a series of relationships, I'm back to being single. It's been six months since then, and I must say, it's been quite a ride. Just when you think you've found someone to share your day with, you wake up one day to silence—no text from your date, or worse, unmatched.
Now picture this: I'm lounging at home the other night, watching a movie, when boredom strikes. We've all been there, right? Without much thought, I reach for my phone and decide to give Tinder another whirl. Yep, I know, I swore I'd never download it again, but here I am, swiping away, ready to find that elusive Mr. Right.
Swipe right, swipe left, then right again. Ding! A match. Let's call him Mitchell. He's a divorced father of three, seemingly ready to dive back into the dating pool. We hit it off—or so I thought. Until the conversation takes a nosedive, veering into territory I’ve come to know all to well. Red flags start popping up like warning signs on a stormy day.
The next day, I hit that unmatch button faster than you can say "red flag." Cute or not, I'm not here for games—I'm waving my green flag proudly.
Fast forward to a fancy lunch with my single pals, and the topic of online dating horror stories comes up. As I start recounting my recent escapade with Mitchell, my friend Todd drops a bombshell: he recognizes our waitress as someone who was burned by her boyfriend. She woke up one night and he had left her and only taken his pillow...I was saw for her and even worst was the realisation that came over me that we knew sch an intimate detail about a total stranger.
But here's where it gets real. Casey, bless her heart, pulls up a photo of Mitchell and spills the tea—she's chatted with him online, and let's just say his intentions were crystal clear from the get-go.
The truth about our profiles on dating apps hit me like a ton of bricks: what we think of as private conversations in our cozy living rooms, sharing our story, maybe even sorrow, or funny anecdotes, our goals or dreams are all spilling out into the real world. Our online personas aren't as hidden as we think—they're out there, floating around in our own very own backyard.
So, here's a thought: the next time you're texting or meeting someone from the wild world of online dating, prioritize authenticity. Present yourself as the person you truly are. The individual they'll discuss with friends or recount their awkward date experiences with should reflect the image you want to portray to the world. Because you never know who might be one degree of separation away from knowing all about your online antics.
Stay true, stay safe, and may the green flags be ever in your favor. Cheers to finding love in the digital age!