We live in the era of the internet. So the internet is used by us in our daily lives is no news to us. It’s a part of our existence now. It’s inevitable. From working to searching for anything to social media, you have an app for everything. You have answers to everything. All you need to do is look it up on the internet. That’s it. It has made our lives so much easier. Honestly, a life without the internet creeps me out now. That’s the level of dependence I have on it.
As I said, we have everything on the internet so are dating apps, “Dating apps are software applications designed to generate connections between people who are interested in romance, casual sex, or friendship”. There are certain apps where you find people of similar interests based on pictures, so yeah, “internet” is supposed to find your love too. But does it work?
While it might work for some people, I don’t think “dating apps” spark genuine connections regarding love. First of all, it’s the concept of these apps for me. The way dating apps are built is shallow in itself. I don’t think you can evaluate who a person is based on a few pictures, some common interests, and what they write about themselves in their “bio”. I find it shallow and deceptive.
I’ve had conversations with people who say “dating apps” are for conventionally pretty people. They “swipe right” on you (meaning take an interest in you) because of the pictures you post. And most of the people there don’t go beyond how you look. Judging on the parameters of “looks” and nothing else hardly leads to a genuine connection. As the attraction fades away, you find it challenging to be with the person. “Love” is way beyond how you look.
My Interactions With People On Dating Apps
Now just for the sake of it, and me having an utterly curious mind, also FOMO (fear of missing out). I joined dating apps and couldn’t stand them for more than ten days. I concluded that most people on dating apps don’t know what they want for themselves and are there to waste their time. Few conversations and a dead end. If you’re up for “mindless hanging out” or “casual sex”, sure, it might work out for you.
You might find attractive people who don’t want commitment or work to build a bond. Love? I don’t think so. Love takes time. It’s not just based on similar interests, a quirky bio and attraction. These things might initially keep you on the hook but won’t work in the long run. It requires genuine conversations, emotional transparency, trust, understanding, and much more.
People of our generation especially try to run away from their feelings or be authentic because gen Z finds it “uncool”. They all put up a facade and don’t get their guard down because they’ve been hurt before and are reluctant to open up.
That’s a coping mechanism for many. I don’t think that’s healthy at all. Having a rigid opinion and not allowing a genuine connection in your life just because you’ve been hurt will only make you shallow. Being open to everything is the key. If you feel there’s a connection, go for it. Maybe you find a connection on some dating app that works out for you. You never know. It’s way beyond “few pictures” and “text exchanges”.
In a world full of “hookups” and “friends with benefits”, running away from feelings, like they say, “catch flights, not feelings”, is someone’s “comfort”. I say catch feelings, love with all your heart, and give in all you got if you think the person you meet is the one for you. Suppose you feel the connection, the reciprocation. “Being toxic” is not it. Avoiding feelings to be perceived a certain way is not cool. Being authentic and vulnerable to the right person will never make you feel weak.
On the contrary, it will only make you stronger. So never give up on love. “Love keeps you alive.”