If you're part of Bachelor Nation, or your friends or roommates are, then you've heard about or seen the first episode of Clare's season of The Bachelorette. Not only is this season changing The Bachelorette in SO many ways, but it's also changing the way dating is going to be for the foreseeable future, now that we find ourselves smack in the middle of a global pandemic!

For starters: Clare is the oldest woman to be The Bachelorette in Bachelor Nation history. Now, I don't think this is such a big deal, or not as big as people are making it out to be. So what? So she's 39? So what? So she's still single? So what? That means that she is confident, and determined, and she knows what she wants, and is NOT willing to settle for anything or anyone that doesn't deserve her, or treats her in a way that she doesn't deserve!

Seeing the previews for Clare's season back in the spring had made me so excited for her, especially knowing how rough her journey to love has been in the past! So I, like many others, was heartbroken for her when they cancelled her season! But when they announced that they were bringing it back, I was more than thrilled!

Of course, the teasers and trailers for Clare's season were every bit as dramatic as the seasons before hers, if not more so! There were a lot of questions as to how the season was going to go on with quarantine protocols in place, and with social distancing rules as well! However, The Bachelorette franchise went above and beyond to ensure the safety of all its participants by quarantining everyone until their test results came back and everyone was negative!

This is something we're going to have to get used to, as far as dating goes, until the end of the pandemic. Getting tested, staying in quarantine or in isolation, and practicing good hygiene and staying healthy are all going to be the new pillars of dating in 2021. Even going on dates with a mask on, or staying socially distanced! Yes, it may feel strange, but it's something we have to do, because dating doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health or safety! Even FaceTime or virtual dates are a great idea for dating in this new era of society! But back to Clare.

One of the things that people have been focusing on about Clare's season is her age. They're talking about her being 39 and single like it's such an anomaly, and as if you should automatically be married by the time you're 30?? No! That's such a toxic mindset to have and to promote! I never thought I'd have to say this:

NORMALIZE BEING SINGLE AT ANY AGE!

Being single is normal, no matter how old you are! I can't believe that there are people on the Internet judging Clare because she didn't settle for just any man during her times on Bachelor In Paradise or in her dating life outside of the shows!

Overall, Clare is a role model on The Bachelorette, because she is helping promote the new idea of safe and healthy dating during COVID-19, she demonstrates how not to settle for any relationship that you don't deserve, and how you should always fight to find love, even if it's hard! Clare, we're all rooting for you this season!