How to (maybe) find love during quarantine...

Written by Katie Chandler

Everything in our lives has suddenly changed with no promise of when it is going back to normal. However, this does not mean we should not get to still enjoy the little things in life, like getting ready and going on dates. 

I'm an extrovert. I love going out, meeting new people, and even awkward first dates, and I’ve found that this can still happen during the quarantine. It is just a little different. You may be familiar with the typical dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge), so find someone on there and have some fun (From your respective homes, we're not breaking social distancing.) 

Maybe you’re a little nervous and would appreciate a group setting. Websites like Zoom University are setting up virtual double dates for you and a friend where you fill out a questionnaire, receive a Zoom code, and get set up with two other friends. 

With today's technology, there is so much you can do for free to make life feel somewhat normal. All of these date ideas only require 2 people and Zoom. 

Date Ideas 

The easiest one is to go on a brunch date. Both of you can make the same food or support some local businesses and order in. You can put on that outfit you were waiting to bust out before all of this happened, and the two of you can enjoy a morning together.

Go on a virtual trip to the zoo. Right now, so many places, like the San Diego Zoo, are doing live-streams so you can watch pandas or look at baby elephants. Doing an activity like this automatically gives you two something to talk about and helps you bond through the unique experience. Wear your cutest animal print and enjoy the view without the smell. 

Movie Night. Another super simple thing -you could  both send each other surprise snacks and treats to still make it special. You could also have a dinner date and wear your old prom clothes and act as if it's the movie premiere. 

Game Night. No dress-up required, just some friendly competition. Websites like Jackbox have a bunch of games that are made for social distancing.

Animal Crossing Date. You and your significant other taking a trip around each other's museums? I honestly cannot think of anything cuter. Don’t forget to get a picture of this.

What to expect...

Still nervous? I went on my very own Zoom date and can tell you what I’ve learned. 

Expect it to be weird. Not because the other person does anything wrong, but it helps to remember that hardly anyone has done this before. Just try your best and embrace the awkward pauses when the video lags. 

Still run your background checks. I was lucky and found a nice guy who was down to do this so i could write this article but catfish still exist in quarantine. Not to sound like old fashioned 80 year old but, the internet is just like real life, it’s not entirely safe. 

Keep it low pressure. While it may not be the best advice, it's the truth. You're not going to see this person in real life for a while or maybe ever. If it's bad, you have a good story to tell and can move on. Just hope you don’t run into each other at the grocery store. 

Remind yourself it's okay to enjoy it. With so many awful things happening all around us, it's easy to get caught up in it and forget to take care of yourself. You can save the world tomorrow after you put on an outfit that makes you feel good and have a couple laughs with a stranger today.