Crushing in Quarantine: How to Date During COVID-19

Dating can be tons of fun, but it can cause unnecessary stress or distraction in an already stressful time. If it doesn’t make it to the top of your stay home club to-do list, no worries. Use the self-isolation time to focus on yourself, your creativity, your job, and your friends and family instead.

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The tough thing about a new relationship during this time can be navigating whether it's safe or smart to see your new interest. Whether it's someone you've had your eye on on an app, or someone you're dating whose self-isolating measures aren't in line with your own, it can be tough for the heart to say no — even when your head is saying yes. Do what's smart for your health, and worry about your heart later.

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You don’t necessarily need to go anywhere to flirt up a storm, as one single said, it’s “Tinder, but like pen pals”. While it’s important to meet IRL (as the wise prophet Nicole Byer always says, texting creates a false sense of intimacy) you can still get swiping and see if the connection is there over messages. Someone who respects your self-isolating boundaries can also be a huge turn on.

Speaking of romance, this can be a good time to test if distance really does make the heart go fonder. If you have a crush that you’re thinking about taking things to the next level with, COVID-19 quarantine can be the perfect test. Are they sending you thoughtful texts, playlists of songs they think you’ll like? Or are they distant, barely texting back? We hate to break it to you, but if they’re leaving you on read and posting on Instagram about how bored they are, you might want to jump ship and go back to swiping.

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Just because you may not be heading to the bar to find a Bone Town partner, doesn’t mean you won’t be getting any. If you’re practicing self-isolation solo, take the time to really explore yourself. Romance yourself and take your time, setting the mood with a long bath, romantic music or experimenting with new toys.

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If you’re in an LDR relationship, this can be a really trying time, for an already tough romantic pairing. With many borders closing and future travel plans put on a full stop, it’s hard to know when you’ll see your far-off honey again. The plus side is that you’re already used to FaceTime as a dating tool. Snap a sexy pic, remind your partner to stay inside and wash their hands and charge up that vibrator.

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If you’re in the exciting can’t-get-enough-of-each-other beginning stages of a relationship, having a quaranbae can actually be pretty exciting. You get all the time in the world to focus on being with each other, without the distractions of the outside world. What could be a better test than cooking dinners together and Netflix and chilling the time away?

Pro dating tip:

Reserve some time to do your own things and keep in contact with loved ones so the together time doesn’t lead to your first qu-argument.

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Maybe you’re in a stable relationship and spending more time together than usual. While cozied up with boo could be the perfect time to try something new sexually that you've been thinking about for a while. Or perhaps it's time to have the serious talks that you've been avoiding. Exploring each other in new ways can keep things interesting, to say the least.

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With plenty of typical first date staples like bars and coffee shops closed for the foreseeable future, real-life dates may have to be more creative than meeting up for a drink. Get outside and go for a walk instead. If you can't get together IRL right now, try a FaceTime date, complete with wine and a movie.

When big things happen that shake you to your very core, it can be tempting to look for whatever source of comfort you can find. And sometimes that comfort can come in the form of familiar person who knew you well for a while. If you’re not currently partnered up and ended on good terms, why not try a temporary digital fling with a past flame? When the world feels like it’s ending, at least you can get a little satisfaction.

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