7 Tips For Dating During A Pandemic, Because You CAN Find Love From At Least 6 Feet Away
Do not underestimate the value of a Zoom date.
It seems like people have forgotten some big news during this time in history, so let me remind everyone: we are still facing a pandemic.
Depending on where you live, that means there are a different set of restrictions for you. In Taiwan, people are safely able to go to social gatherings, bars, and movie theaters without risking their health. In Germany, Oktoberfest and the Berlin Marathon have been canceled, but schools are reopening.
Do not be fooled by the diminished restrictions in the United States, though. As we've seen with the reopening of colleges and universities, the country is still struggling to handle COVID-19. With a significant percentage of the population believing in conspiracy theories surrounding the virus, we are most likely going to continue facing a pandemic into 2021.
That does not mean you have to be alone, though. It is possible to meet new people amidst this chaos, and perhaps even find a romantic partner. It takes some work, but you can develop a relationship during this time with effort on both sides to stay socially distant and, who knows, maybe find love!
1. Don't be afraid to Zoom
You can watch videos together by sharing your screen, have a virtual lunch date, or just use the opportunity to complain about how much you hate Zoom. If you have too much Zoom fatigue at this point, you can always use a different platform like FaceTime or Google Hangouts.
2. Look into a virtual movie night
Take advantage of Netflix Party, Hulu Watch Party, or the several other platforms you two can use to watch your favorite movie or start a new television show. "Netflix and chill" is still possible!
3. Plan socially distanced dates
There are plenty of fun ways to spend time together while staying safe. As long as you have a blanket that is over six feet long, you and your partner could have a picnic during the day and stargaze at night.
4. Get active together
Find a nice hiking trail or bike path where you guys can maintain your distance. Just remember to keep your masks on!
5. Share your playlists
Making each other a playlist of your favorite songs won't put either of you at risk, and it will be a great way to plan potential concerts you can go to together in the safer future.
6. Organize a game night
This can be virtual or outdoors depending on what kind of game you're playing. Or, you can always just resort to iMessage games.
7. Address the pandemic in the room
Dating right now is inevitably going to be awkward and strange. If you and your significant other are committed to trying, though, you can maintain a safe and fulfilling relationship. Plus, if you two can get through a world crisis, your partnership can probably withstand anything.
Dating right now is complicated, but it is possible. Wash your hands, wear your mask, and hang in there.
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11 Things To Do On Those Easygoing Fall Weekends We All Love
Let's be real, sitting in your dorm room or going out and partying all the time gets pretty old.
When boredom hits, it hits hard. I know I'm not the only one who dreads just sitting in my dorm room with my friends, and sometimes we need a change of scenery from our usual hang-out spots. I compiled the perfect list of fall dates for you and your friends or significant others.
Go Apple or Pumpkin Picking
It's one of my favorite things to do. The experience of the crisp fall air and the beauty of the apple orchards or pumpkin patches is unlike any other.
Plus, you can usually do this for a relatively cheap price. Bonus points if you go to a local farm. Support your small businesses!
Have a Fall Photoshoot
Another one of my favorite things about fall is the fashion. I'm a sucker for sweaters, leggings and my favorite Doc Martens. Your iPhone works great, or a polaroid camera goes perfectly with the season!
Drive to your local pumpkin patch, farm or just walk around your area. There are so many cool places to take pictures.
Pumpkin Painting
This is a great solution if you live in a dorm or apartment building and don't want or can't have an actual rotting, live pumpkin out for the entire month of October. Jack-o-lanterns are fun, but you can always buy the Styrofoam ones from Michael's and paint them. Have a contest with your friends or turn on your favorite Halloween-themed movie and go nuts.
Scary Movie Drive-In
This can still work if you don't have a drive-in theater near you. I was lucky enough to grow up 30 minutes away from an actual drive-in, where I could go hang out with my friends. But there's nothing wrong with building a fort in your living room or just hanging out in bed under the covers. The important thing here is the scary movies.
Go Out for Brunch or Bagels
If "Sex and the City" has taught us anything, it's that you can never go wrong with brunch with your friends. Bypass the mimosas and go for apple cider. Or if you're over 21, drink as many mimosas as you please.
Either way, I know I love bacon, egg and cheese bagels. And I will never say no to lazy Sundays with bagels and my friends.
Bowling
I always forget how much fun this is until I'm invited to do it for a group-bonding activity. Cosmic bowling takes me back to my middle school days, but I still find singing to classics with my friends and laughing at my subpar bowling skills fun. Don't @ me.
Bake Halloween Cookies
My grandma makes those Pillsbury sugar cookies with the cartoons on them for every single season. As the years go by and they add more graphics, she still doesn't get tired of buying them and baking them for us and the kids she teaches at her Sunday school classes.
Do it for grandma. Bake the cookies.
Go Thrift Shopping
This can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. I have a fear of trying things on in thrift stores, but I love buying XXL shirts from the adult-men section and making them into crop tops — then washing them three times before I consider them wearable.
It's fashion. Or laziness. Either way, now I have an outfit to go pumpkin picking in or to wear at my fall photoshoot.
Paint and Sip
I, like many of my friends, am underage. My mom has gone to those wine-and-paint parties, and they look super fun. I'm deciding to take it up a notch and do a cider-and-paint party.
Most towns have these studios, or you can invite your friends over and throw one yourself. They're super fun, and you get art to take home afterward!
Go on a Coffee Tour
Or a hot chocolate tour. I'm a big coffeehouse person, and I'm always looking for an excuse to drink as much coffee as I can in a 24-hour period. It keeps you inside, and the aesthetic of coffee houses is very pleasing.
Decorate Your Dorm or Home
You don't have to spend money on this! You can draw some pumpkins on computer paper, cut them out and tape them up. Or you can be extra like my roommates, buy a light box and put "It's freakin bats… I love Halloween" on it. You can buy skeleton decorations for your TV. It's up to you.