In search of a Valentine's Day date? Many others are too, but it might actually hinder your chances of finding a lasting relationship.
Single people are using dating apps more frequently as Valentine's Day approaches, leading to a new trend referred to as "avalanching."
In this new pre-Valentine trend, seekers of love are willing to compromise on their usual dating preferences, such as age and location, in order to find a companion before the most romantic day of the year.
While the idea of getting numerous matches may seem appealing, an expert suggests that engaging in "avalanching" increases the likelihood of settling for someone who may not be a suitable long-term match.
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Dating expert Sylvia Linzalone explained, “The spike in January swiping is a natural response to societal expectations and the desire for companionship during a season focused on love,” as reported by Indy100 on Friday.
She added, “Being single on Valentine’s Day can be quite a disheartening time for some, especially if you’re surrounded by loved-up friends who are eagerly making plans for fancy dinners and romantic getaways.”
Indeed, a recent survey of 800 singletons revealed that a remarkable 79% of them acknowledge increasing their activity on dating apps during the month of January.
Fifty percent of the survey participants confessed to being less selective about the individuals they initiated conversations with on dating apps.
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Linzalone is cautioning singles about engaging in excessive chat interactions on dating apps, as she believes it's often unproductive in the quest for a genuine companion.
She explained, “These days, dating apps have become just another form of social media, with extensive messaging and comparatively little face-to-face contact.”
Instead, the expert recommends that singles adopt a strategy known as "intentional dating," in which they do not compromise on their essential criteria.
She asserted, “It’s time to switch these two around and focus on real-life meets instead if you really want to make a change in your love life in 2024.”
