Carly Weinstein is fast becoming Gen Z’s Carrie Bradshaw. With a strong emphasis on popular culture, mental health as well as body positivity, this charismatic content creator engages on a wide spectrum of topics with her new podcasts–HotGirlTalks and Ok, Stop Wine-ing. Of late, she participates in bantar alongside of Vaughn Lowery about her meeting with Drew Barrymore and what the cards may hold for her future.
With an aggregate following of a half million and over 38 million likes on TikTok, Carly is this generation’s everyday gal-pal. Her comedic content focuses on everyday, real-life challenges which people in their twenties experience. Along with her two co-hosts and best friends, Hailey and Jaz, the trio hosts “Hot Girl Talks” – a weekly series that pinpoints Gen Z growing pains in NYC.
On a lighter note, Carly co-hosts “Ok Stop Wine-ing” alongside her mom. She says , “a great lesson for a mother and a daughter.” The duo executes weekly confabulations while offering advice on how to meticulously navigate life.
Following in the footsteps of the iconic bloggers of the 2000s’, Carly self-taught herself how to code and build websites. During her adolescence at Indiana University (IU), she developed “All Things C.” It provided her with an opportunity to create a safe space where she openly spoke about her eating disorders and body dysmorphia to a relatable demographic of her peers. “No matter what I’m talking about… I make sure the basis of my brand always has those underlying messages of ‘you’re beautiful no matter what,’…and giving people advice on how to combat some of those hard times in life.” “I’ve been through plenty of mental health issues in my life, so I speak to my following as if I’m speaking to my younger self or a younger sibling.” Priding herself as the “mom” of group, Carly has always possessed a knack helping those in need.
After graduating from IU, Carly relocated to NYC as a social media manager. Subsequently, she expeditiously transitioned into an avid TikToker, garnering recognition for her unapologetic approach. Thus, she discovered her niche as a creator.
In her leisure, she traveled and grew fond of pickleball while building strong ties to her community.
“I’m very involved with Jewish youth organizations like BBYO… My family is really big with making donations to cancer charities, also mental health organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association.”
Carly Weinstein
In the near future, Carly hopes to become an advocate for mental stability.
Some people say that first-date sex is a complete relationship killer, claiming that one should never come before the other. On the other hand, there’s also the opinion that there are few things better than having sex on the first date, even if it ends up being a one night stand. And then, there’s also the popular three-date rule that may not be so valid anymore. But are there truly any rules you should follow when it comes to intimacy and dating?
Without a doubt, the days when sex was a complete taboo are long gone. Still, these changes do not mean that sex isn’t a way to physically bond with another person anymore. It can help you feel a close connection and express your emotions and physicality, no matter whether you are into vanilla sex, or would rather browse suction cup dildos before doing the deed. However, what will happen if you allow intimacy to define your relationships from the beginning or even send others mixed signals?
If you’re thinking about getting down to business on your very first date and feel that you could use some guidance, read on below for tips that will help you determine when may be the right time to do the deed with your new date.
Three-Date Rule
First and foremost, it’s important to talk about the quite famous three-date rule that may sound confusing initially, especially if you don’t have much dating experience. What is it all about, you may be wondering? Shortly speaking, some people who date a lot tend to follow certain rules that help them establish boundaries and keep control over their love life.
The third-date rule says that you should always wait until the third date until you have sex with someone. But what if waiting doesn’t change anything, or you never get to that third date with the particular person? That’s where dating and relationship experts, such as Alexis Wolfe, founder of NYC Date Nite, say that putting such pressure on something that’s just a made-up number may not be the best decision.
Sure, a third date may be the right time to tell someone about your interest in using life size sex dolls, especially if the chemistry is there and you want to stay transparent, but in the end, basing your sex life on rules that have such unclear origins might not be the best idea. If anything, relationships should be based on mutual trust and honest communication, so it could be better to try to emphasize these two values before all else. Still, in the end, it’s all up to your and your sexual partner’s preferences.
How to Decide When to Have Sex?
All the information may still leave you wondering: is it about being honest about what you and your partner prefer? How should you decide whether having sex on a first date with a particular person is a wise decision?
Here are a couple of tips that may help you decide:
Make Sure Both of You Want It
Even if the first date is going great, the chemistry is definitely there, and everything seems to indicate that you two should have sex, you still need to ensure that both of you are on the same page. There’s no real need to talk about having a relationship yet — after all, you may go your separate ways once the romantic evening is over, but in this case, it’s crucial to start the general chat about what the two of you are after.
This way, you may find out that, for instance, the other person is interested in starting a long-term relationship, even though you’re still not ready to commit to something that serious. This knowledge will help you to decide whether having sex on this very first date is a good idea or if you want to get involved in a relationship with that particular person in the first place. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to date around and experiment, but you shouldn’t mislead your date.
Trust Your Gut
In some situations, listening to your gut may also turn out to be the right approach. Let’s say that the signs your date sends you are really obvious, and the atmosphere starts getting hot. You may decide to just go for it and initiate the sex, but not without expressing your feelings first. Remember that honesty is of the utmost importance, which means that, before doing the deed, you should say things like: I want it, but I also want a relationship. Is that what you’re up for?
Sex on the first date doesn’t always lead to a relationship, and if you don’t tell your partner what you’re looking for, at least one of you may end up getting hurt. Once you get the answer, it will help you decide if you should have sex. You may also learn that both of you will be better off as just friends or even the casual strangers you were before that date.
In Conclusion
As you can see, first-date sex doesn’t have to be as complex as some people and self-called relationship experts try to make it. Besides the fact that it’s always better to take relationship advice from experienced professionals, you also need to learn how to trust your own judgment and make your own dating rules instead of trying to rely on someone else’s experiences.
Additionally, it’s important that you always prioritize honesty and avoid misleading the people you date. Whether you’re looking for a relationship or not, it’s important to say it as soon as possible so that you both know what to expect. This way, no one will get hurt, and you could potentially be more satisfied with the way your love life plays out. Should you decide to have first-date sex, remember to stay safe, don’t forget that there’s nothing sexier than consent, and have all the fun you want.
Modern dating apps are often draining, sucking the fun out of the thrilling experience that finding a partner should be. Amidst the craze of hookup culture, it’s hard for those of us looking for a real relationship to find someone that isn’t just in search of a fun night. Luckily, we’ve found the perfect app that is based all around fostering positive relationships – its not a dating app, it’s the relationship app – Official.
Make things official with Official, the app that nurtures positive relationships no matter what stage of dating you’re in. Via the app, users have the choice to swipe “Yay” or “Nay” to differing date ideas. To “match” with a partner, you both have to choose “Yay” for a specific date idea. Once matched up, you can plan a date immediately, or you can come back to your match later.
Official encompasses an array of features for partners to build and cultivate positive relationships. From well-needed daily check-ins, a personalized intimacy section, a shared notes folder, countdowns to special events and the opportunity to earn points through practicing healthy relationship habits, Official encompasses all of the tools that you need to cultivate a strong, open partnership.
Official was founded by Zac Stern, business expert and graduate from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Interning with a selection of startup companies throughout his college years, Zac knew that he was interested in this realm of business ventures. Working as a VC his senior year at Stern, he worked his way up to become an associate just in time for his graduation in 2020. Diving into other projects, Zac knew that he wanted to begin his own development in the realm of dating apps, which birthed Official.
Created to encourage healthy relationships, Zac built Official around the next-generation model of social media and apps. The app has continuously gained widespread acclaim, becoming viral on TikTok, and rising to the #5 placement atop the US on Apple’s Lifestyle Charts.
360 Magazine had the opportunity to chat with Zac regarding the app’s inspiration, its various features and why you should start dating on Official.
What inspired you to create Official app?
While working in VC, I analyzed the business models of everything from jetpacks to cancer research; dating apps somehow fall within that range. When looking at a business, you learn that you want to keep your customer. This may seem relatively obvious, but not when it comes to dating apps. Dating apps are an interesting business because they lose their customers when they do their job correctly. But, the same thing happens when they do their job poorly, or when an outside force accomplishes their “goal.” So, from a financial perspective, I realized that it made more sense to focus on helping people stay together because the longer they are together, the longer they want to be our customers. Official switched the incentive so that when our users are happy in their relationship, we win, and if our users struggle in their relationship, we lose.
On the personal side, I was dating someone long-distance at the beginning of 2019 while still in school and studying abroad. I was in London; she was in NYC. I met her two weeks before I left to study abroad, so we started our relationship with many calls, texts, and facetimes. To remember everything, I made a note on my phone about her, another note about her family, Instagram-saved things to do in the future, and pinned every future date spot on my phone’s map. While tedious, this was the only option I thought of. I knew there had to be an easier way. Many of my friends were in relationships, and I noticed everyone wanted to be the “perfect” couple: the couple that had the best dates, cutest photos, and best sex. All of these things happening led me to the idea of Official.
Walk us through the different features available to the couples who join Official.
Official’s goal is to help couples through promoting self-discovery and enhancing communication between partners. We do this because we know how important it is to communicate with your partner and help you find and experience new activities.
As Aron et al says it best in ‘The self-expansion model and optimal relationship development’, “According to self-expansion theory, engaging in activities with a romantic partner that broaden one’s sense of self and perspective of the world (e.g., novel, exciting, interesting, and challenging activities) can reignite feelings of exhilaration and passion reminiscent of when couples first fell in love.” We wanted to create this sense with the Official.
Within the app, we allow couples to check in with each other in multiple ways that promote conversation both on and off the app. We let our users tell their partner how they are feeling, guess how their partner is feeling, and tell their partner they are in the mood.
Official also allows you to discover more things around you to try with your partner from a literal sense like restaurants, concerts, or events, but also at home dates or things to try in the bedroom. We let our couples swipe left for no, right for yes, or up in the intimacy section for maybe, and this creates an opt-in process to indicate what each person wants to do. While it’s simple, it lets couples discover new things that they both want to do.
We also let couples share their dates and experiences privately or publicly. Users post memories within the app to remember what they do with their partner. By posting publicly, couples can show off that crazy exciting or unique date that they did. Official is a community of people who love love; we want to encourage everyone to have the best relationship.
One of the most important things is that we don’t try to make couples feel like they can only communicate on the app. I firmly believe that Official can be an excellent catalyst for communication, but should not be the only way you communicate.
Is there any exclusivity on the app for members? Such as first access to tickets/events/reservations?
We partner with some of the best companies in the world that provide incredible experiences anywhere. We let our users access exclusive discounts on events and experiences near them. We also allow them to 50% off almost any sex toy from our partners. We believe in creating value for each user, which we will continue to do.
What is your biggest tip for couples to stay consistent on the app, planning dates, etc.?
The biggest tip I have is to complete the Daily Question every day. It’s a quick feature, but the value it brings to relationships is massive. We ask you and your partner a new question every day, and if you both answer it, you can see each other’s answers. Our goal is to spark new conversations and let you discover something new about your partner or yourself that you may not have thought to bring up.
I highly recommend the Intimacy Section to have the most fun and check out the craziest sex positions you will ever see… I am still baffled at how some of these are possible.
Do you plan on adding any additional features to the app?
I probably come up with a new feature a week, much to my team’s dismay. There are so many things to come on Official. Our random date generator will plan a date for you using machine learning to understand preferences. We are still in prototype, but I cannot wait until it’s ready for release.
Do you have any tips for readers who may be interested in your app now that they’ve heard of it but are new to this type of app?
Dive in; it’s easy. On Official, you can do anything, but you don’t have to do everything. Use what you think is interesting, and ignore what you don’t. We understand that people communicate in different ways, and that’s why we have an eclectic mix of features to suit any communication style or relationship. I don’t expect every user to use every feature; I just want every user to find value on Official.
What is your favorite feature on the app?
Most likely, it would have to be the In the Mood feature. It is such a unique feature that when I first told people about the idea, they thought I was crazy. We refer to it internally as the “I’m horny button.” The button allows a user to say that they are in the mood, and if their partner hits the button within 12 hours, we send them a notification and let them do whatever their hearts desire. If one hits it and the other doesn’t, we say nothing because we want to promote double opt-in.
What’s next for Official?
This is perhaps my favorite question because I don’t fully know. I have many ideas and ways to take the company, but we will follow what our users want.
I always like to say that we are the first relationship media company. Our focus is couples, but many divergent markets touch relationships, creating the opportunity for Official to expand. My goal is to grow Official to help any relationship you have, whether it’s with your partner, family, friends, or even yourself; Official will be the defacto platform for any relationship in five years. I have a few ideas on how to get there, but I can’t give it all away just yet.
Founded in 2017, the B-L-K app encompasses more than a community for singles seeking a prospective date or companionship. The niche platform has the largest subscription of Black Men & Women and is known as affiliates of the Match.com portfolio. 360 Magazine’s Armon Hayes met with the B-L-K app Head of Marketing Jonathan Kirkland via zoom to discuss what the ‘new wave’ app is all about, its impact and what’s to come.
About six years ago Kirkland began in the digital space with apps like Grindr and Bumble. He shares the experience applying to a Brand-partnership job at Grindr as a joke, which lead to a self-discovery journey that allowed him to discover how he thrives through niche communities while identifying their needs. Subsequently evolving the online dating functionality and perspective, Kirkland goes on to say, “It’s all about making connections, where those connections are is up to you and who you match with.”
When embarking on the new B-L-K app, founders knew that they wanted to keep the Black community at the forefront of the platform. “The Black experience is a unique one, especially in America and [this] transcends into the dating app space,” said Kirkland. Exploding during lockdown at the height of the pandemic, he is committed to growing the platform with the aid of the audience he serves. The app allows for an understanding that connections aren’t merely one-to-one, but a one to many. Diligent in shifting the narrative that Black women are less desirable, the B-L-K app provides the forum to communicate byway fostering understanding.
With 3 million downloads and counting, the cultural app is creating a space for a wide scale of individuals to connect and, most importantly, build friendships. B-L-K remains true to their core demographic by creating dialogue, while also educating through user connections on matters surrounding racial injustices.
Brought to the forefront on the app as well as our lives, B-L-K particularly highlights the global misfortunes of 2020 at the hands of law enforcement to Breonna Taylor & George Floyd, just to name a few. Such criteria are typically not discussed or even introduced on dating platforms, let alone the first encounter with someone new. Furthermore, getting to know someone online can be awkward as it is. Kirkland emphasizes the initiative of the app, stating, “It’s a space where blackness can be celebrated; find more qualified matches and start dating faster.”
By: Allison Kelly Jones, Author of Measure Twice, Cut Once, Navigating Negativity in Toxic Relationships
Sometimes we find ourselves in personal or professional relationships that sour for various reasons, but there are always two players in the strain. Some people continue to engage in “tit for tat” behaviors deploying everything from the silent treatment to guilt or passive/aggressive conduct which is never a good way to “conduct” ourselves. So how do you get past the hurt? How do you reconcile the issues while being true to yourself? How do you “move the needle” towards reconciliation in your personal relationships or resolution in your professional ones?
There are never any innocent bystanders in toxic relationships and being honest about our role in conflict is the first step and it starts with first admitting our behavior in the situation – family constellations can really help with this. If a person says or does something to upset you and you swallow your feelings, gossip instead of confronting it or try to ignore it (which causes inner turmoil), you too are playing a role in the dysfunction whether that of a martyr or the passive/aggressive person. An insult or act against you isn’t solely about the other person, so an honest internal check of how it feels in your body is in order and let it be your guide. Decide if you want to nurture the relationship and build or if the relationship has run its course and you may need to cut the relationship with kindness. In my book, “Measure Twice, Cut Once, Navigating Negativity in Toxic Relationships” I discuss the behaviors that identify toxic behaviors in ourselves and others as we decide how to proceed when engaging with difficult people and situations. If you decide to engage and nurture, it starts with forgiveness and forgiveness doesn’t require you to forget the offense, it only matters that you decide to accept that what has happened has occurred and you are letting go of resentment or vindictive thinking or behavior by separating the person from the offense. Taking accountability for your role and communicating how the other person’s behavior affected you and their responsibility for wounding you, doesn’t minimize or validate wrongdoing, it allows you to move into a space of healing.
Secondly, Look for the good in the person. We all fall from grace and we all need it in our lives at different times. Who hasn’t done something wrong to another person? Lied on someone. Took credit or too much credit for something we shouldn’t have. Said something insensitive. Did something purely out of spite. We would do well to remember that everyone needs grace and hopefully got it. When you are upset with someone, it’s hard to see past an offense and separate the person from the offense, but if you could remember times they were in a more positive light or a time when you were viewed similarly can help reign in feelings of resentment.
Next, try on some empathy by seeing the other persons point of view because there are always points to ponder from the other side. You are not always right. Keep in mind that our ego wants us want to be unkind, but we should be mindful that compassion can go a long way in being an effective advocate for resolution in any matter, personal or professional.
Afterwards, identify the real issue. Conflict doesn’t just “pop up” and it seldom comes without warning. There are always behaviors that occur that sow discord over time. The real source of clashing may not be miscommunication, rather it is usually based on perception of an issue. Separating fact from fiction from feelings can help. Ask yourself what the real issue is that’s bothering you, meaning solid concrete tangible things, e.g., “Allan yells at me at work (Fact) and it feels belittling (Feelings) and people may think I’m weak (Fiction)”. Ask questions of yourself first and then Clarify, Verify and Communicate your need.
When communicating your need use “I” language because you are only responsible for what is in your span of control. Trying to defuse a situation by pointing fingers usually blows the issue up further. “I’ don’t like when you yell at me” – “I don’t understand what you mean.” Next, confirm what you are hearing from them. “So, let me make sure I understand” I think what I hear you saying is…” Communicating what your needs are and listening for the message on the other end is important to resolve the issue or reconcile the relationship.
Finally, give it time and space if needed. If your attempts at resolution are rejected allow the time and space for the other person to discern, decipher and decide what they would like to do without pressure is important. Next, reach out occasionally and ask for smaller measurements like a 15-minute coffee break or a text as a reminder that you really want to try to resolve the issue. Be consistent until you can’t.
If all else fails and you have to break from the relationship, let the other person know in a letter or a call/message that you really wanted to move the needle to make everyone comfortable, but your efforts have gone without merit and you are now choosing to let go without resentment. With family try to offer ongoing family therapy both on your own or together, but have no expectations, simply know that with time all things heal or work out for the greater good because not all relationships are intended to endure. Some are there for a blessing or a lesson, but it’s always for your growth.
BIO:
Allison Kelly Jones is a southside Chicago native who joined the military after high school and traveled the country as a federal contractor and subject matter expert in human resources, business development and federal personnel programs. She was the on-air talent for her eponymous business show on CBS AM, “The Big Talker” in Washington D.C. Allison spent a vast amount of her career mentoring and coaching many people to personal and business success and has been sought after to deliver powerful and contemporary lectures on topics that engage, empower, and inspire people to live their most genuine and happy lives. Her philosophy is, “we are here to learn who we are and what we are here to do and whatever it is, it is to be shared.”
Manifestation is truly the only way to have the life you desire most, and Allison instructs people on how to manifest their dreams, doing so as a personal and business coach and also as a professor of business in Arizona.
A new study expects there to be an unprecedented rise in online romance scams this Valentine’s Day, with scammers praying on lonely and isolated people during the pandemic.
Americans lost $201 million to romance scams in 2019, more than any other type of scam. Virginia had the eighth most victims in the nation.
When the FTC releases the final totals for 2020, they are likely to increase in correlation with surging dating app usage due to more Americans turning online for human connection.
Bumble saw an 84% increase in video calls and Match Group, which owns 60% of the market including Tinder, saw subscriptions increase by 15%.
SocialCatfish.com released a study, Catfishing: A Growing Epidemic During COVID-19, using the most recent data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. It also includes an exclusive seven-minute video interview with a Nigerian scammer, and a 20-page leaked playbook.
The study warns of 5 tactics scammers are using:
1.Cannot Meet Because of COVID: The hallmark of a catfish scammer is to come up with excuses of why they cannot meet, such as pretending to be in the military overseas. The pandemic gives them a built-in excuse not to meet. Be careful.
2.Will Not Video Chat: The oldest excuse in the book… they cannot video chat with you because their video camera is supposedly “broken”, or they do not have the best access to Wi-Fi. These are red flags.
3.They Ask You for Money: Once they form an emotional connection with lonely victims, they ask for money. During COVID-19, scammers have begun saying they are sick and need help with treatment, or are low on food, water, and other supplies.
4.Poor Grammar: If the person claims to be American but has terrible grammar, they may be a scammer.
5.Confesses Love Quickly: If you are stuck in your house with limited contact with your loved ones, then someone else’s sweet words can win you over. Scammers know that the sooner they win your trust, the sooner they can drain your bank account. Beware of someone who is moving too fast.
5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Victim:
1.Never Give Money: Do not give anyone you meet online money, no matter the reason.
2.Meet or Video Chat: Do not form a relationship with someone who will not video chat with you or meet you in person.
3.Do Not Give Personal Information: Scammers can use basic information to commit identity fraud, get access to your banks and steal your money.
4.Conduct Thorough Background Checks: Do not take someone’s word for it. Use reverse look-up sites to verify information, images, email addresses, phone numbers and online profiles.
5.Take Things Slow: If you like someone online, do not let them rush you. Nigerian romance scammers will be pushy about falling in love right away. If that is the case, know something is not right.
With teachable moments and unimaginable scenarios, “All Good Just A Week Ago” helps single people keep their heads in the game.
Erika McCall and Niesha Forbes, two best friends, wanted to put their quarantine time to good use, so they set up 50 interviews to gather data and stories for the book.
These stories prove that relationships can make you laugh and roll your eyes instead of cry, all while showing us that we’re not alone.
In 1950, only 22% of Americans were without a romantic partner. In 2019, 124 million Americans were without a partner.
Though the percentage of people in relationships has gone down, the desire to find love and companionship has not.
McCall said, “It’s the year of 20/20 vision, and it’s time for a dating and love revolution.”
Both authors agreed that the revolution begins with this book. With a goal to understand romantic communication and expectations, “All Good Just A Week Ago” uses stories to heal relationships and foster close, loving, committed relationships in a generation obsesses with “hook up culture.”
McCall and Forbes even get into a few of their own stories. McCall herself is single and wants to clear the way for her future husband to enter her life while Forbes is on her way to her third wedding anniversary and hopes that sharing her experience can help bring about mutual respect, kindness and traditional courtship in relationships.
McCall said her story is every woman’s story while Forbes said, “It is critical to know that once you get to a certain age, things you did in your early twenties, all those toxic behavior patterns where you’re not putting your worth above your desire to be with someone, if you don’t do the work on yourself, you will find yourself in your thirties, forties and even fifties, having not learned the important lessons or found true love.”
Following the laughs in the beginning of the book, readers will reach a call to action that encourages men and women to think critically about how to move forward with healthier relationship dynamics.
For more information about the book or to order it, you can click right here.
Are you restarting your dating life but find yourself swiping left a little too often? When you’re outing the dating world, it can be hard to find the right balance. Although we don’t want to “settle” for a person, we also don’t want to discount men.
We’re here to help you along your way. You always can try to meet a right person on Promenad, but first of all read on for the top five qualities on what to look for in a man so that you can date with intention.
1. He’s Respectful
Your man knows that your time is valuable, and he respects it by making sure that he’s present when you’re together. He’s interested in your opinion about topics and gives you a platform to voice them.
He’s also upfront about what he wants in a relationship and doesn’t lead you on. Lastly, you feel free to live your own life without his micromanagement or what he believes is “better.”
2. He’s Supportive
You’ll know a man is supportive if you feel as if you can talk about your life, career aspirations, and goals without judgment. He trusts the decisions you make and will often back you up on them–not make you feel as if you need to constantly second-guess your decisions.
Best of all, supportive men are often good listeners. They’ll give you the silence you need and won’t frequently interrupt.
3. He’s Honest
They’ll be times when your man disagrees with a decision you’re making, and he’ll let you know in a way that doesn’t diminish your character. You won’t need to second-guess his thoughts or motivations because he’s upfront and doesn’t feel the need to hide. This often leads to better communication, one of the most important aspects of a relationship. If you ask him a question, you don’t feel any doubt in his answer–even if it’s not the one you wanted to hear.
4. He Pays Attention
Men who pay attention are often talented at active listening because they want you to know that you’re being heard. They also have good dating etiquette. When you’re together, he’s good at putting down his phone and giving you his full attention. They’re attentive to your needs because it’s their way of showing that they value you.
5. He’s Happy
A man’s attitude is often a good indicator of their self-confidence. If you find that your man has a constant, pessimistic outlook on the world, they probably have the same view of themselves. You may feel compelled to help him or find that your own mood becomes low when you’re around him. Although it’s not realistic to expect someone to be happy all the time, generally you’ll feel happy and comfortable around someone with a positive attitude. They often have a good sense of humor and smile more.
What Do You Look for in a Guy?
What are you looking for in a man? It’s important to ask yourself this question frequently until you have a definite answer. Once you know what you want in a relationship, it’s far easier to find a man that’s looking for the same theme.
It’s all about trusting your instinct. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re around him. If you feel understood, respected, and cared for, you may have found the one.
When you have been in a relationship for a long time, you may find that the romance starts to wane. While you may both still love each other, your time is taken up by other things and this leaves little time for romance. Many couples enjoy a lot of romance at the start of the relationship but once they have been together for a long time, this part of the relationship starts to fizzle away. However, it is important to try and keep the romance alive.
When couples want to add fresh life to their physical relationship, they often invest in things such as intimate products. However, when it comes to injecting more romance into the relationship, you need to do things that are from the heart and meaningful. The good news is that you do not have to spend a fortune when it comes to being romantic and showing your partner how much you care. There are various things you can do, some of which we will look at in this article.
Some Romantic Ways to Show You Care
Being romantic with your partner from time to time is important – even though they may know you love them it is nice to show it as well. There are some simple and effective ways in which you can inject a little more romance into your relationship.
One thing you can do is to whisk your partner off for an impromptu romantic picnic one afternoon. You can get some delicious picnic food in, get a cool bag for chilled wine and drinks, and then head to a local park or beach where you can both relax. This is a great way for you both to unwind, spend some quality time together, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Another thing you may want to consider is rustling up a fabulous romantic meal for your partner at home. If the weather is nice, you can even set up your table on the patio and have romantic twinkling fairy lights. While this might sound daunting, you don’t have to have superb culinary skills to cook for your significant other! Just simply follow an online recipes and you will be sure to impress your partner.
Romance can also be about having some fun, so another thing you can do is arrange a fun day out as a couple. You could go to an exciting theme park where you can stroll hand in hand and enjoy the excitement of the rides. Or you may want to go on a fun date to a place you used to go to when you first met such as going to the movies or a favorite restaurant.
These are all great ways of bringing back a little romance into your relationship while also having a little fun.
If you’re a single living through the COVID-19 quarantine, you’re likely well-acquainted with loneliness. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can still meet your soul mate, or at least, someone fun to hang with, right from the comfort of your own home.
You can even go on dates! While the pandemic may have changed how you date, there’s no reason it should stop you from connecting with someone great.
In fact, dating is still alive and well online. With millions of singles hungry to connect, they are turning to online dating apps in droves, making this the ideal time to take the plunge.
Online dating: How to choose the right app
If you’ve never tried online dating, choosing which app to download can be overwhelming. With thousands of apps out there, it can be hard to know which one is for you.
Start out by deciding what you’re looking for. Are you seeking someone you can eventually have a relationship with or do you simply want some casual companionship? Do you have niche needs? Do you prefer to meet older singles? Are you willing to pay for a better experience? Are you open to dating someone from outside the country?
Once you know what your priorities are, it’s time for a little bit of research. Start by reading some well-researched guides. We’ve seen some great ones from Beyondages.com that help guys looking for all kinds of things from this article about what you need to do to meet a cougar to what guys who don’t really know what they want should do. This will give you a better idea of what is worth your time and money and what you should avoid.
Keeping a list of the pros and cons of each app can help you to compare and narrow down your choices. Whichever app best aligns with your needs is your best bet.
Once you’ve downloaded an app, uploaded some profile pictures and written up your profile, it’s time to start connecting.
While it’s possible you’ll meet someone great right away, it’s not likely. That’s why being patient is so important. It usually takes a while to meet someone you really click with but, once you do, all of that waiting will be worth it.
Now comes the challenging part. Dating from a distance. Let’s take a look at five of the best ways you can have amazing dates virtually.
Dinner and a movie
Who says the traditional first date outing can’t work during self-isolation? With a little bit of coordination, you can enjoy a great first date via FaceTime, Zoom or Skype.
Decide on a restaurant together, choose your meals and have them delivered to your homes. You can take it up a notch by getting dressed up and lighting some candles in your respective spaces for a more exciting and intimate meal together.
You can follow up your dinner conversation with a movie. Thanks to Netflix Party, you and your date can watch a movie at the same time and chat about it right from your browser.
If you’re enjoying your time together, meet back online for a cup of tea or glass of wine and more conversation.
Game night
If chatting is getting a bit old, why not challenge your date to a game night. While virtual game nights don’t take a lot of planning, it can be fun to coordinate your game night snacks and drinks.
Once that’s done, hit up an online platform like Tabletopia, that allows you to play classic board games with your date. If you want to make things more interesting, put some conditions on the game outcomes. Have the loser pay for the next dinner and movie night or, if you really want to make things interesting, make a pledge that the loser has to initiate your first kiss when you can actually meet in person.
A get to know you night
If there’s some on-screen chemistry happening between you and your date, you can increase the intimacy a bit by playing a different type of game. Word games like 20 Questions, or Would You Rather? can be a lot of fun and can help you to learn more about your online mate.
You can also give psychologist Arthur Aron’s quiz a try. The 36 questions are designed to increase intimacy between strangers and partners alike. The questions, which are broken into three segments, gradually become more personal, allowing you to open up to your date slowly.
If you haven’t had enough truth yet, challenge your online paramour to a game of Truth or Dare. While being apart may limit the dares you can give somewhat, it can still be a lot of fun and will force you to get creative.
While there’s a lot of skepticism around meeting a potential soulmate online, more and more people end up in happy, successful relationships with people they met on an app. Getting to know each other is a crucial part of creating a strong bond that can blossom into a great relationship.
Take a class together
Many businesses are getting creative by offering their services to people online during the pandemic. This is something you can take advantage of for a fun and unique date night.
Decide on what kind of class you’d both be interested in taking, be it a cooking class or a karate session. Tune in to the class on one device and have video chat running on another so you can feel like you’re learning together.
No matter what you decide on, plan to enjoy each other’s company after the class. With a cooking class, you can simply sit down and enjoy the meal you cooked together. With something more active, enjoy a refreshing beverage and a post-workout rehash of the new skills you learned.
Plan ahead
If things are progressing well with your online love, a fun date night can simply be planning all of the things you want to do with your date once you can actually meet in person.
Make a list of all the places you want to visit together and all the types of dates you’d like to go on. Talking about the types of dates and places that interest you will help you get to know each other better and will give you something to look forward to.
Bonus ideas
Some other great ideas for having fun together virtually are: a digital karaoke night, virtual travel via Google Arts and Culture, creating playlists together or for each other and listening to your favorite music, working out together or trying a virtual wine tasting.
Have you been on some virtual dates? What ideas have you tried to keep things interesting? Let us know your best self-isolating dating tips in the comments below.
