Swipe Left - 07JAN2017

Well ladies and gentlemen, here I am back on the scene and ready to start dating again. I have licked my wounds, cried, felt sorry for myself, bargained with my diet, become a work-a-holic and come out the other side. Without going into the details of my litany of serially monogamous relationships, today I feel free and unemcombered, and ready to open myself to the idea of exploring and meeting new people, finding that special someone. Most of all, I am ready to stop hiding behind the words, "I'm not ready yet!"

So, do I sigh in resignation? Do I jump up and down in excitement and glee at the prospect of meeting interesting new people? Starting on that search for what I expect, will be the last great romance of my life? So many of my friends and family shudder at the prospect of having to go back out onto the dating market. I know friends and collegues who are single and hate the complexity of dating today.

Googling online dating websites returns 26 million hits. Not too bad, and wow, is Lava Life still even running?

True, there does seem to be a lot more too it today. I mean, how many dating apps do I need,? How many forms and profiles and catchy one liners, and about myselfs do I need to write?  I think that I'll just stick with what I know-Plenty of Fish (it's local) AND try something new (Bumble). 

Now,

I am flipping through 700+ picturs of men who've clicked the "want's to meet me" button--swipe left=no, right=maybe.
Left
Left
Left
Right
Left...no...too late, that ones gone.
How do you connect?

A quick search reveals pages and pages of single men that in some way meet my preferences. .Now it is getting a little overwhelming--too many choices, no social skills needed just
a selfie
or two
​....which angle? which ....point ....of....view?

Iti s a little boring looking at picture after picture of men. 
Left
Left
Left
Why is your picture upside down
OK you're cute-right
Oooh we're a match...let's chat!

Nope that guys' a canibal eating freak.
Left
Left
Left
hmmmm....ok right il check u later

​So...wow for someone who remembers when the phone was attached to the wall...it can be a lot!

How do you navigate the sheer volume of noise and weirdness of it all? How do you stay authentic and engaged in the process? How do you decide what and who is right for you and who is not? How do you even get to know someone well enough to know those things?

Most of all, how do you deal with all of those things above and still find a way to make this process something you enjoy. The journey. The now of it......makes enquiring minds go hmmmm????...
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