“The new dating norm is one of compassion, for ourselves and others.”
Dating in the new norm
ALL ABOUT
THAT DATE
A lot has changed over the last few months, and as a result, so has the world of dating! As our dating habits shifted into digital-only experiences, we also had to learn how to get more creative with pickup lines and date ideas.
A new dating norm was introduced, one that threw all previous etiquette into the air and brought along infinite new ways to meet and interact with potential crushes. Ready to discover what dating in the new norm means?
Enter Hily x SCREENSHOT's digital guide to dating in 2021!
In partnership with Hily
It's 2021, you've been chatting with your latest crush on Hily for a few days now, and they finally asked you on a video call date. You're slightly freaking out — you've never been on a virtual date before.
Don't stress, we've got you covered! We asked Sheerah Ravindren to share her top 5 reasons why video call dates are as fun as real-life ones. Bonus? You don't even have to wear trousers if you don't feel like it!
“Before a video call date, I would try to look fresh and rested, find good lighting and I'd bring wine into the equation.”
- Alejandra Smits, writer and performer
Video calls have now become a crucial step towards meeting someone, so it's only fair that you'd want to nail them.
From picking the best spot in your house and finding lighting that makes your skin glow just the way you like it to pondering whether you should open that bottle of fancy wine you've kept for too long just for the occasion, video call dates are bound to make you question your previous dating skills.
Don't worry though, that's part of the fun! Follow Sheerah as she prepares for a video call date on Hily and shares her best tips on how to get ready for the perfect date. Don't forget the ice breakers!
“The new dating norm means knowing what each other are comfortable with early on and planning accordingly.”
- Stephen Hussey, host of the ‘Love Life’ podcast
So you've experimented with video call dates, but wish you could showcase who you really are to the world in order to meet more people?
No stress, we've got the perfect solution for you: live stream sessions. All you need to do is open your Hily dating app, and start live streaming yourself. Once that's done, just be yourself and let your potential crushes see what they could be missing on.
From revealing your favourite go-to conversation topics to discussing your best past dating experiences, feel free to share anything you'd like people to know about you before getting to know them! Not sure where to start? Here's what Sheerah does to get everyone hooked on her live stream sessions.
“Do some pre-date pampering! Especially if you're someone who gets nervous before a first date, participating in some self-love can be a great way to calm feelings of anxiety or nervousness.”
- Erin Tillman, dating and consent empowerment coach
You're doing so well babes! It looks like you're ready to go back to dating (in real life)! Yes, the dating world has changed quite a lot in the past year, but that doesn't mean you can't use new dating etiquettes to your advantage.
Before meeting someone for an in-person first date, you’ll both need to think about quite a few things: Where will you meet? Will you go for a walk? If so, will you be able to grab a coffee along the way? What about convo? Ooh, what about your outfit?! It's safe to say that there is quite a lot to consider, but it's all good, Sheerah has got you covered for this too.
Watch what tips she has to share about meeting a first date in person in 2021.
“There are fewer opportunities at the present time for exciting dates, but that just means people need to be more creative.”
- Trina Leckie, breakup coach
THE DOS AND DON'tS OF MEETING A FIRST DATE IN 2021 WITH GIGI ENGLE
So you're done chatting with your new crush through texts and video calls—you're ready to meet them, only there's one obstacle left: we're in the middle of a pandemic. How do you greet them? Where do you go on your first date? Should you ask them for a negative PCR test beforehand or is that a bit over the top?
These are all justified questions, ones that need answers. In order to help you, we asked certified clinical sexologist, writer for Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and author of ‘All The F*cking Mistakes: a Guide to Sex, Love and Life’ Gigi Engle to share with you her top dos and don'ts of meeting a first date in 2021. It's time to get back on the horse!
