Dating : Yup, it’s true. Dating is dead.

It’s not just hard or shitty, it’s dead. Disagree? Tell me, how many of those guys that you’ve matched with on Hinge/Bumble/Tinder/etc. have asked you on a proper date? Or when was the last time someone asked you out on a date while you were just out and about?

If you had told me this as a child, I would’ve been devastated. I would’ve disputed that claim with examples from Disney stories, celebrity couples, or even all the “happy” couples I knew back then. But let’s be real, those stories are just that — fictional stories, and more than half those couples are happily divorced now.

Dating was something I looked forward to, and as a late bloomer I definitely waited a long ass time to experience it all. But everything I’ve experienced so far and every story I hear from my friends and strangers all lead to the same disappointing endings.

He ghosted me. He wasn’t looking for a relationship. He has a lot going on with work right now. The timing is just wrong. To be honest, I’ve even been “he” before. Ghosting nice guys, telling them I’m not looking for a relationship, and focusing only on work.

Then I turned 25, I saw my ex-boyfriend take his new relationship to the next level, I saw my friends get married, and I witnessed my mom fall in love for the first time in her 40’s. All of this got me thinking, maybe I’m just being pessimistic. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t met Mr. Right yet. Maybe I’m wrong. Shit, I hope I’m wrong.

All I know is that whatever I’ve been doing isn’t working. I’m not going to find a companion like this, and I sure as hell don’t want to spend another pandemic scrolling through Hinge, wishing for each match to be the match.

All of that being said, I’ve decided to challenge myself. I challenge myself to actively use Hinge, with a goal of matching and talking to at least 5 guys by next Tuesday, June 16th. I’ll report back in a week with a summary of how our conversations went and if it led to a proper date.

Wish me luck!