A Guide To Dating Without Dating Apps

The seemingly elusive art of meeting people IRL.

Photo by Yogas Design on Unsplash

My current partner and I met in this crazy way. Most people our age are baffled when I let them know that I actually met my boyfriend using a pretty old school method: in person.

I’m not hating on dating apps. I’ve used every popular one there is out there: Tinder, Bumble, CMB, Hinge, etc.

While dating apps are becoming more and more accepted by people as a way to meet a romantic partner, they can be intimidating. It’s hard to guess someone’s intentions, and that’s if you can get past the game of turning endless texting into an actual, in-person meet-up.

Dating apps definitely increase the pool of potential romantic partners, but they somehow feel limiting, too. People tell me that with every swipe they lose a bit more hope, which is hard to come to terms with when most would rather not be on dating apps at all.

Luckily, meeting people in-person doesn’t have to be an elusive endeavour. I know it sounds hopeless, but it’s completely viable to still meet potential partners without dating apps.

If you want to date people you meet IRL and are having trouble, try using these tips:

Go Out Into The World

I can tell you one thing that’s for sure: you’re not going to meet someone while sitting on your couch binging the Witcher — unless your sink breaks and the plumber is looking mighty fine.

You have to get out into the world and do more. This method is how you meet more people in general, but it’s also how you’re going to meet someone that could turn out to be a future romantic partner.

Plus, if you go out and do things you love — concerts, yoga classes, Star Wars Fanfic workshops — you’re going to find someone who automatically shares an interest with you.

Turn Off The Screen And Look Up

Nowadays, people tend to fill their idle time with social media. Instead, peel your eyes away from your phone and look up into what’s going on around you.

Your chances of meeting someone when you’re out living your life significantly decrease if your attention is…