Friday, 19 November 2010
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Artificial Comfort: What If Dating Websites Just Aren't Freakin' Working?!
I went through a horrific breakup last April. It broke me. Well, the guy that I was with at the time didn't break me; our situation at the time did.
The break up entailed many things that are far too personal to write about right now, but we did play cat and mouse for a few months before I packed up my most valuable belongings into four little boxes and moved out of the state. Being broken and well past being an opportune "fix" for those relationship seekers who are "fixers," I've dated guys that I've, well, settled for... you know, guys who are not the sharpest crayons in the box. Guys who don't read books. Guys who chastise me for music I listen to. Guys who ask me to hide layers of myself. And for the sake of "trying to have a big heart," and getting past my "brokenness," I've become extremely lonely. And a year and a half is a long time to be lonely.
That being said, how, at almost 23 and in a brand new city (state, much less), do I meet someone who compliments me? Someone who is a mirror to my light? Someone that I don't meet at a bar? With good morals? Someone intellectually stimulating?
I've found no answer.
So, I've turned to dating websites. Sites like plentyoffish.com, match.com, and eharmony.com. I feel ridiculous when I log on and strangely out of place when I receive a message, wink, or any other sort of "first move." I feel as if it SHOULD feel like artificial comfort. Is it? Is it real? And for that matter... isn't it funny how in the time when we are feeling down/alone, we turn to the one thing that further disconnects us from reality?
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Comments (25)
I feel like it's artificial comfort for me, too. I've used it in times of desperation or loneliness in the past, & I've even met up with some people from them, but it hasn't ever turned out well for me. It works for some people, though.
Well I don't believe in going to dating sites looking for a boyfriend.
Do what I did: Go on there looking for friends or someone to talk to. That way you don't have these expectations to hold you down. If you meet up with them and they're a creeper then move on. If you meet up with someone and they're cool then continue hanging out with them! It doesn't have to mean you're dating. Let it develop on its own whether it leads to friendship or a relationship.
Thats how I did it and I finally got my boyfriend.
You are 23. I know you are desperate for a relationship, but you are ONLY 23. Stop looking for the perfect guy. Just enjoy life as a young 23 year old and the perfect guy will come...but again, stop looking.
I avoid dating sites. Too much "hiding" behind the keyboard. I think the connection and reality is much stronger when you meet someone in person. You guys chat, hit it off, connect so well, have so many things to share.... The only real way to conquer what has happened is to continue looking.
i met my boyfriend on okcupid [so obviously i may be a little biased], but that was after quite a few months of weeding through the weirdos and creeps and 40-somethings [i'm 19]. do like what mangoWOW said: go on there looking for friends. and don't stress too much about it <3
Eh, I'm 22 and I use dating sites occasionally, but I don't see them as an end-all, be-all, omg this guy that I'm chatting with is THE ONE sort of solution. I approach them as a casual dating scene, sort of like a bar, but without the beer goggles and social anxiety (which is my main problem when it comes to dating, or going out in general, in real life).
If it feels awkward to you, then it's probably a sign that it's really just not working for you. The best thing that you can do is just forget about it for a while and experience real life - get outside and get involved in some stuff in your new city. Find a new passion, like urban exploring or Thai cooking. Browse a local coffee shop for listings of book groups or something. Go out to a bar with some coworkers. Just find some ways to distract yourself, rather than looking for a potential mate, and you'll be happier which will honestly go a long way towards attracting someone.
My mom met my stepdad on eharmony.com. They're one of the most happily married couples I know and I couldn't have dreamed of someone better for my mom.
I think it really is the luck of the draw on dating sites. You could find the person meant for you, or you could find a lot of creeps...haha. Good luck though :)
There's a huge difference between dating websites, I think. Some only attract the scum of the earth... while others try to encourage nicer standards. In the end though, people do lie behind their computer. And I've seen FAR more attractive people in real life than online. I decided that it was not worth it, to get a quick date that won't last -- that shit just hurts you, and wastes your time, energy, optimism, and money.
i read once, from a reliable source, that the probability of getting a second date is significantly higher if you met the other person online (there were numbers attached to this too). i was surprised when i read it myself, and for that matter, have grown to respect it a lot more since reading it.
and plus, as a girl, you face possibly high rewards for almost no risk (i assume you're going to make the guy pay for the first date). as long as you meet in a public place, i don't see what you have to lose.
"isn't it funny how in the time when we are feeling down/alone, we turn
to the one thing that further disconnects us from reality?" It's like alcoholism, or any other addiction, I guess.
Meh, I don't think dating sites are for me. If you're meant to be with somebody, it will happen. I'm not saying you can't meet people on those websites, but its not as common as people believe it to be.
I've been browsing through some online dating sites recently, and all the guys seem a little creepy, with the exception of 3-5 of them. Looking through those sites gives me a headache, but some people do find love on them. I definitely don't think it's for everybody.
I've met all of my bfs (exes now) through work and school.
i met my fiancé on okcupid and we've been together a year n 6 months like other people said its just the luck of the draw. I didn't go on there looking for a boyfriend i was just on there for friends and if it lead to a relationship so be it. But i wont lie there are alotta of weirdos and older men looking for flings, thats not my thing at all lol you just have to not look as lame as it may sound it is the truth when i stopped looking i found someone and i couldn't be happier .. so hold tight the right man will come along till then just enjoy your life ;]
I've found old friends and friends of friends are the best candidate. If anything dont go for purpose driven interaction but rather for the light high of intimacy. Tell them you appreciate them and the little things you love about them bluntly and honestly. They'll return the favor typically with equal honesty and youll find that the feeling of just being enjoyed and enjoying others can fill that lil void, even if only for a while.
whether you meet on dating sites or in reality first, some people I've known lied right in front of my face and they think I don't know but I'm good at profiling their tone of words and body language actions, so they were giving me artificial comfort. what I'm saying is that people in reality can be just as shady as the people, who are on those sites. in my opinion, the greatest comfort is being at peace with your own mind. you don't need to depend on a guy to give you comfort, because if you settle for less, it'll just make you feel worse and prolong the feelings, instead of help it.
I met my husband on a dating site, and my brother met his soon-to-be-fiancee on one, too. Sure, there were creeps and psychos, but it worked out in the end. You just have to be very very picky and willing to give it time. There are good guys out there, it just can take a while to sift through and find them.
-Katie
I'm personally not a fan of dating sites, but to each their own.
If you just moved to a new city and are looking to meet people, I would suggest trying meetup.com. It is actually sort of designed for people in your situation. You can find people with common interests who are really friendly, and the website itself is free. I haven't met any potential bfs yet, but I've met lots of interesting people, made some new friends, and always have something to do!
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