The epidemic’s toll on our romantic life has been laid apparent by the data on dating apps Bumble and Plenty of Fish.
According to Bumble’s most recent global survey of singles, nearly half of all single individuals want to “reset” their love lives. Fast-forwarding, explori-dating, knowingly single, dry dating, and power PDA are just a few of the new dating fads that have been coined by the women-centric app.
Bumble coined the term “hardballing” in 2021 to describe the practise of deciding after considerable thought exactly what one is looking for in a romantic partner. A majority of Bumble users (59%) say they are more honest with their relationships about their wants and needs, and this is anticipated to be the case far into 2022.
About a third of app users reported a significant shift in their priorities after using the service, resulting in “fast-forwarding.” Globally, 61% feel that emotional availability is more important to them than physical attractiveness, while 23% say the opposite.
Almost half of those using the app said they’ve spent more time wondering what constitutes your “type” than they did before they joined. Forty-three percent of Bumble users say they take a “exploratory” stance toward dating as they delve deeper into their search for love.
People’s decisions to be “consciously single” have also changed as a result of the app. Fifty-three percent of app users say they learned it’s “really OK” to be alone for a while during the pandemic.
54% of people who wish to start dating again believe they will be more deliberate about when and how they date.
A report from the University of Sheffield published in 2021 found that alcohol consumption has decreased between March and June of 2020 when compared to the same period the year before. Similarly, Bumble’s data shows a shift in how often we drink alcohol.
Researchers found that 34% of respondents are open to the idea of a so-called “dry date,” where no alcoholic beverages are consumed.
The dating website also claims that “power PDA” is making a comeback now that vaccination rates are higher, and that it’s not just A-listers like Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly or Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker who are participating.
Nearly seventy percent of people who are dating online say they are more comfortable showing public shows of affection since the outbreak. While many singles are actively looking for a partner, some are hesitating because they fear another lockdown is imminent.
Hesi-dating, as defined by Plenty of Fish, is “feeling indifferent about dating, unsure if you want to date seriously or casually because life in general is so unclear right now.” The site discovered that 58% of singles are undecided about whether they want a casual hookup or something more serious.
“With half of single people looking to’reset’ their dating, we anticipate that coming months will be big for romance,” said Naomi Walkland, head of Bumble UK and Ireland. “Along with rediscovering some of our favourite date spots, we’ve seen that people on Bumble are looking to discover new people, new priorities, and explore new ways of dating.”