Love Beyond Swipes: Taming Anxiety in the World of Online Connections

Between Christmas and New Year, I reactivated my profiles on Tinder and Facebook Dating to make an effort to connect with others. Meeting people in this way has always been challenging for me, triggering anxiety and overthinking.

The process involves filling in various details, creating an attention-grabbing bio, and specifying partner preferences. Crafting something genuine without sounding like a sales pitch is tough for many.

Choosing potential matches based on looks is part of the process, though I prioritize finding a genuine connection that only emerges through conversation or meeting in person. I often wrestle with self-doubt, questioning whether others would be interested due to factors like my appearance, age, living situation, or perceived lack of having everything together.

Occasionally, I gather courage to like someone, but it often doesn’t progress, leading to moments of despondency. Despite this, a part of me holds onto the belief that there’s someone for everyone.

Receiving messages from someone interested induces intense anxiety, making me feel sick and tongue-tied. This usually results in the interaction going nowhere.

Navigating dating with anxiety is challenging. While common advice suggests positive affirmations, breathwork, setting intentions, and focusing on desired outcomes, I recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Despite uncertainties, I’ll persist in attempting to connect with someone and, hopefully, secure a date.

Today, my focus is on being kind to myself and continuing personal growth to overcome the setbacks caused by anxiety. Who knows maybe i will meet someone in the real world, or maybe i have already met them.