When I got to adulthood, this was my idea about to meet people to date: do the things I enjoy doing, meet dudes while doing those things, and date people who shares common interest with me? It hasn't worked out the way I thought it would. the upside is I have done/am doing the things I love! downside is I haven't met a good match this way. and HOLY SHIT do I have dating-site fatigue. has anyone else been through this?
Different for guys?? maybe not, I did a good few months of Plenty of Fish back a few years ago, that was kind of exhausting, having to 'go out' and then finding how many levels on which 2 people can 'miss' being a match.. blahhh, it really is simpler than all that (when it's right)
I never expected to have to date again in my life, and it doesn't matter whether it's online or in person, it's all exhausting.
Dating-site fatigue. Yessss, this is exactly how I feel. But I didn't know how to describe it. Thank you for sharing this.
Rn, I'm too scared to try dating again. The last two "boys" were abusive. I attract abusive men. At first they seem fine for a few months. My dad messed it all up for me.
@josh_karpf Thanks.
I think dating site fatigue is exactly it. I'm a divorced woman with 3 cats, atheist, don't have and don't want kids. I feel like at least if I had kids I could find single men with kids at kid type stuff. Religious singles find others at religious things. Dog people have dog parks. I'm introverted to top it all off and really like hanging out at home, reading a book or going to places by myself. The only real group I belong to is a knitting group. It's pretty difficult to find a single, atheist guy that doesn't want kids under 50 years old at a knitting group.
i'm into different hobbies but that sums it up for me too! I do theater in my spare time but that really changed what my social life looks like. there is not an abundance of straight males. and socialization revolves around who i am working with in a particular show. and then when i do have downtime i need rest. i have friends so at least I have a support system. and not wanting kids has been a surprising negative!
Count your blessings...whoopes, it that even allowed? Great reply! Do you belong to MOFA's?
Hell yes. I suffer greatly from dating site fatigue.
Time was when nobody had to worry about finding someone with similar views and attitudes who enjoys the same kinds of activities to be their mate--because that's not how mates were selected.
It'sonly been a few generations since that time; I don't think we've fully adapted, socially or psychologically, to this shift. If we had, we'd either have solved the "problem" of finding suitable mates under the new system, or we wouldn't have the shame and anxiety about "failing" to find a mate.
It has occurred to me, many times, that perhaps under the "new rules" (i.e. you have total freedom to be sexually and/or romantically involved--or not--with any willing person of your choosing) many people may simply not find a "suitable" mate. Certainly that seems to be the case for me.
I'm looking forward to a future in which there is less pressure to form pair bonds, and no shame if you don't.
This is very interesting, because I really feel that the times have changed, And the rules of dating are not the same anymore. I was married for five years, got divorced, and then was in a fifteen year relationship. Things are so much different for me than how I remember. At this point in my life I am seeking a life-long partner/committed relationship. Finding someone who is willing to make that kind decision seems far from slim. Almost all the women I have run into want to jump right into bed before really taking the time to see if we have enough in common for a long term relationship. There also seems to be this expectation that you'll meet the perfect match. Nobody is perfect. Everyone has flaws. The only way relationships work and last is if you accept that person - flaws and all, and do the best to make each other happy. Of course there are many other factors to a relationship than just acceptance. I think part of my problem is the place I currently live. There are a lot of broken people in this town. A friend of mine said to me that Eugene is where people come to heal. I need to be where people go after they have healed.
I reached adulthood with a lot of religion-based misconceptions about men, gender roles, and altruism. I was the perfect victim the Catholic church had set out to shape me into. I had no problem finding dates or men when I believed everything they said and thought it was my place to follow their lead.
Since I developed a sense of self-worth, it's been harder.
One of many things that happened to me is I met people who stretched my comfort zone and took me to really great places I would never have chosen on my own.
THAT is a perfect way to put it! Love this!