Everyone deserves to find their special someone to love, to grow old with, to face anything the world throws their way (but no more pandemics, please!). There is no need to shut down your search for love because of regulations, closures, and social distancing measures. You just have to be smart and safe about it!
With dating apps, text messaging, and video chat at your fingertips, meeting people in self-isolation is possible! Who knows, your special someone could be just a click away. Here is a list of 10 ways to virtually get to know someone during COVID-19.
The Classic: Send the I’m thinking about you Flirty Messages
Ahhhh, the adrenaline rush when you and your crush are sending quick text messages back and forth – who doesn’t love a good flirty text exchange? Sending messages to one another is a great way to let them know that you are thinking about them. It also shows that you are interested in getting to know them on a more personal and intimate level. Be bold, have fun, but most importantly… be YOU! Next time you want to be flirty over text, try something like, “me when I get a text from you:😍 .”
Go “Old School” and Pick up the Phone
So you’ve connected via text message but how do you know if there’s a real spark? Texting is great, but having a chat over the phone provides a better opportunity to connect on a more personal level. Hearing your potential partner’s voice is extremely important – sometimes things are misconstrued or don’t translate as well via text message. Hearing the other person’s voice will give you an indication of their sincerity and subtext to how they say certain things.
Reservation Confirmation: Virtual Dinner for Two
Though it is not the same as physically eating together, preparing and staging a virtual dinner date can be just as enjoyable. You both love to cook? Decide on a recipe for you both to make over video chat. This gives you the opportunity to bond over your shared, or budding, love of cooking. Cooking isn’t your thing? No problem, send each other your favorite DoorDash or Uber Eats delivery so you can try each of your favorite dishes.
This virtual date is the perfect excuse to dress up and bond as you would on a normal dinner date. Cooking and eating together can help you connect over a shared interest, introduce you to new things your date enjoys and most importantly, spark romance.
Jam Out from Your Living Room with a Virtual Concert
Whether you love the same band or want introduce your date to something new, music bonds us in so many ways. YouTube and many other music platforms typically offer full-length concerts from various bands and artists. Plan a date night to learn more about each other’s musical interests and to jam out together! If your concert date is going well, make a virtual nightcap together. Grab your favorite wine or your cocktail shaker and whip up a drink to share more time with your date.
Watch a Binge-Worthy Show or Movie Together
Netflix Party has made it easier than ever to share your favorite tv show or movie with your date. Even though watching in the same room would be ideal, this is a great alternative. Choose a binge-worthy show neither of you have seen like “The Queen’s Gambit” or “Schitt’s Creek” on Netflix. Video chatting while on a Netflix Party allows you to watch, react, and chat as if you are in the same room.
Get Educated on a Virtual Museum Tour
Are you an art lover or a history buff? Museum dates are tried and true. Since going on one in real life is probably out of the question, there are many virtual museum tours that can be taken together. Every museum offers different experiences online, but together people can go through the exhibits and discuss the experience with each other. Screen-sharing is another way to tour a museum together. This way, both parties can explore and bond over each other’s interests in the arts, culture, and history.
Take your Date on a Virtual Stroll Around Town
Take the words of your high school gym teacher to “exercise everyday” and turn it into a fun afternoon date! Plan a virtual walk outside to show each other your neighborhood and your favorite spots. This is a great chance to introduce your date to a “day in the life” of you. Sharing your hometown, even virtually, is an intimate step in any relationship so make sure you trust your date with this information.
Unleash your Competitive Side with Online Games
Hop on a video chat and take turns playing your favorite games. Whether it be Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, or Checkers, there plenty of online options for your favorite board games. Learning something new is always a great bonding experience to share with your date so, try learning chess or challenge each other to a Scrabble match (if you get majorly stuck, try bouncing ideas off of your date or use an anagram solver!). Playing online games is an effective way to learn about your potential significant other’s competitive side while also enjoying a fun and low-key date.
Create a Masterpiece
Want to get those creative juices flowing? Check out Pinterest for project ideas. Make your favorite cocktail or mocktail, grab a paint brush, and prepare to have a blast with your date. Whether you’re Van Gogh or a painting newbie, creating art together over video chat is a creative way to break the ice and learn more about your potential partner. It’s also an extremely calming activity which will put your first date nerves at ease. And who knows, maybe you’ll hang your art projects next to each other in your home someday!
Become Romeo and Juliet with Handwritten Letters
Though this one is not technically online, sending each other letters is an intimate and romantic way to get to know your potential partner. Writing a romantic letter takes practice. Try turning to inspiration from William Shakespeare or learn how to write love poems online. Taking the time to write and send a handwritten letter will show the other person that you care about them and think they are special. Christmas is just around the corner, so why not send a happy holidays card with a little ornament or small gift.
Cover Photo by Ben Collins on Unsplash
