People often feel discouraged because they equate the difficulties of dating with the technology itself, rather than recognizing that challenges like rejection and unmet expectations have always been part of dating. The paradox of choice and the concentration of interest on a few profiles can also lead to dissatisfaction.
The three dating tendencies are the romanticizer, who looks for a soulmate and believes everything will be easy once found; the maximizer, who has unrealistic expectations of their partner and is always looking for something better; and the hesitator, who has unrealistic expectations of themselves and is not putting themselves out there.
A great profile should start with a clear headshot, followed by photos of you doing activities you love, a full body shot, and photos with friends and family. The profile should paint a picture of your life and be free of filters and sunglasses.
The spark is often seen as an instant, all-encompassing feeling of chemistry and connection, but it can be misleading. Research shows that only 11% of couples feel love at first sight, and the spark can grow over time. Additionally, some people are naturally 'sparky' and can give that feeling to many, making it less about a unique connection.
Logan suggests moving away from shallow small talk and focusing on more interesting, in-depth conversations. She recommends using the concept of 'in media res' to start conversations with something engaging, like a recent podcast episode, to avoid boring, repetitive exchanges.
Dating apps can be misused by creating overly strict filters that exclude potential matches, leading to a limited pool of people to choose from. Users often set filters based on superficial qualities like height or age, which can result in missing out on compatible partners.
The events decision matrix is a tool to help prioritize which events to attend based on the likelihood of meeting someone and the likelihood of enjoying the event. By plotting events on a quadrant, you can focus on those that are both high in interaction potential and personal enjoyment, reducing burnout and increasing the chances of meeting new people.
Vulnerability is crucial in dating as it makes you human and relatable. People often think vulnerability makes them undateable, but it's essential for creating connections. By owning your story and sharing it in a narrative form, you can attract partners who appreciate your authenticity.
Logan advises choosing the set of problems you can handle in a partner rather than seeking someone with no problems. Everyone comes with baggage, and it's about selecting the type of baggage that you can manage and that aligns with your lifestyle and values.
Logan's advice is to stop thinking of life as happening to you and start taking control. Identify your dating tendencies, whether romanticizer, maximizer, or hesitator, and make a plan to move past them. Take active steps to put yourself in the driver's seat of your dating life.
Today, you are getting the best dating advice out there for both you and your loved ones.
Mel sits down with Logan Ury – a behavior scientist, dating expert, host of Netflix’s new dating series “The Later Daters,” and Director of Relationship Science at Hinge – to get her science-backed insights on finding success in dating.
If dating apps make you feel hopeless, if you feel like dating is broken, or can’t seem to find “the one,” Logan’s insights will change your approach to finding love forever.
Whether you're single, in a relationship, or supporting a loved one navigating the dating scene, this episode is packed with science-backed insights and actionable tools to help anyone find the love they deserve.
For more resources, including links to the studies mentioned in the episode, click here) for the podcast episode page.
If you’re in your relationship and want tools and tips on how to make it better, listen to this episode next: 5 Signs of an Incompatible Relationship & 3 Signs You’ve Found “The One”)
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