Dating During Quarantine? Try These Virtual Date Ideas

Life has changed a lot in the last few weeks for people all around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are working from home or have been laid off. Parents are coping with having their children at home full time and couples are learning to coexist 24/7. But if you’ve been trying to meet someone during the pandemic, then you might be feeling frustrated about how to make a connection without putting yourself and others at risk.

Many people are experiencing loneliness right now. It’s okay to want to find a new partner, even when everything feels chaotic. You don’t have to stop dating altogether during the pandemic, but you do need to be smart about social distancing and be careful about how you proceed. Here are some tips for dating (and getting creative) during quarantine.

How to Be Safe Before Physically Meeting

One unexpected benefit of dating during quarantine is that you can take the opportunity to screen people more carefully before you meet. Instead of getting together for dinner or a drink in person, you can communicate with texts or over video chat before you meet in person. This helps to cut down on the number of people you’re physically in contact with—and may cut down on the number of bad dates at the same time.

It’s important to be safe before you meet in person. Consider the risks of physical contact, especially during the pandemic. Does one of you have additional risk factors for developing complications from COVID-19? If so, you may need to hold off on meeting in person or at least take social distancing precautions and avoid getting physical for a while.

Stay Healthy – Both Physically and Mentally

Most people are struggling in some way at the moment, and it’s important to keep your mental health in mind as much as your physical health as you navigate dating during quarantine. You might be feeling really lonely right now, and envious of your friends who have a live-in partner. However, it’s important to not let those feelings influence your dating decisions.

Safety for yourself and others needs to be a top priority right now. It’s normal to miss touch or to feel like you just want someone to need you, but you need to remember what you’re looking for and to realize when your circumstances are affecting your dating choices.

Prioritize your mental health during the pandemic. Many people are experiencing mental health disorders like depression and anxiety during this time of uncertainty. In addition to worries about family members, jobs, and the state of the world, many people are unable to seek comfort from social interaction. So make sure you’re practicing self-care and paying attention to your mental health.

Consider Cooking for a Fun Date Option!

Going out to a restaurant isn’t really an option right now, and there are only so many Zoom drink dates you can do before things get a little stale, which brings up cooking together. If you’re physically in the same location, why not plan an elaborate meal to make together? Dress up to make it even more special.

If you can’t meet in person, you can still cook and eat together. Choose a simpler recipe you can make on your own and chat over video while you cook together. Then, sit down to dinner and enjoy what you’ve made. This is a fun virtual date, even if you’re not the most confident cook—only you have to eat what you made!

Check out Virtual Art Exhibits or Shows!

Want to know if your date has good taste? Right now, you can get a look inside some of the world’s most famous museums, virtually. You don’t have to fly to Paris or fight the crowds to peek inside the Louvre—you can visit the museum right from your living room.

Many musicians and theaters are also providing access to free live or recorded shows, which make for a great virtual date. Get to know each other by checking out these quarantine entertainment options. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find the person you’ll want to take to the Louvre for real when this is all over.

Remember: This Isn’t Forever

Right now, it might seem like the current state of the world will never end. But even if you don’t meet someone great during quarantine, it’s important to remember that the pandemic won’t last forever. For now, you might have to get creative when it comes to dating, but don’t lose hope: there will always be someone out there for you.