Single, Dating, hopeless..TAKEN!

When I started this blog two years ago, I was single and free as a bird. I mean I am still free as a bird but not single. It even surprises me that I was able to make it through the trenches and find a person who was decent and willing to succumb to his single life and date me. All jokes aside, he has been the kindest person I have ever met, and still to this day I pinch myself that I was lucky enough to find him!

The truth is- my dating journey was anything short of exciting or what some people describe as fun. I mean I had fun but half the time I had to make the dates fun and they were on dates with me so OF COURSE they were having fun! Dating was this weird time for me and what many women experience (I speak for women because I believe that men and women have VERY different dating experiences). Especially in the city (Toronto), where dating is this giant pool of "jump in and see what sticks." Dating took a ton of work. Something I do not think I ever became used to. Download the app, upload pictures and a profile of yourself that isn’t too desperate but not too pretentious, include photos that are cute but not borderline hoochie yet not a librarian stuck in a time warp. Then go and match and wean out the ineligible people. BUT WAIT- you still have to meet these people. Pick out an outfit that screams “I didn’t think about this for hours.” Then show up, engage in conversation, laugh or smile to show interest (complete sidenote: I am exhausted from even typing this, that I cannot fathom how I did this for two years!!!). The worst part wasn’t even the first date, it was the part afterwards: the awkward texting, the ghosting, the second date and then if things went further… only to end up in things not working out. This doesn't include the countless amount of times that I was set up by my kind friends, family or colleagues. That is a whole other chapter.

IT WAS A LOT OF WORKKKKKK! Fun maybe at the beginning, but after a while, after the beauty wares off, it becomes old and so exhausting. I remember when people would ask me how dating was going and I would always respond with “it’s exhausting” or “I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy.” At the time, dating wasn’t fun. I would date, meet someone with a semblance of hope, only to have that blow up in my face. At a certain point, I had to ask myself what I was doing and what direction I was moving in to actually meet the right person for me! Eventually you figure it out, and if you are lucky enough it happens quicker for you than others. For me, it wasn't the case and I am so happy it panned out the way it did.

The Dating Series is being brought to you by my personal dating stories. Stories which you will all be able to relate to, whether you are newly single, still in the game, in a relationship or married and just wanting to reminisce! I promise you will laugh A LOT, cry some but most of all relate! My only hope is that you will be able to relate, share and find some sense of community within the feelings and experiences we all go through!

Diana xo