If you’re not dating anyone special or in a relationship, Valentine’s Day can be especially hard. If you’re feeling kind of down and are dreaming of a relationship with that special someone, stop wishing and start doing something about it.
There are plenty of ways to meet someone. There are the usual ways of frequenting bars, going to church, libraries, bookstores and having friends set you up. There are also the non-traditional, but now commonplace, methods of meeting people: dating websites, chat rooms, Myspace.com, etc.
Set-ups. Ask single or married friends to set you up on a blind date. Let them know what your interests are and what you are looking for in a date. Ask if they know anyone with similar interests and if they would be willing to set you up with someone. If one of your friends does agree to set you up, remember this one thing no matter how the situation turns out. They were only trying to help you out.
Internet dating. Meeting someone online was considered taboo not too long ago. These days, however, it is more common to hear about couples meeting through online dating than through the “traditional” methods.
If you’re interested in online dating, the first thing you need to do is your research. There are thousands of online dating services out there. You just need to find the one that’s right for you. Aside from the big dating sites like eHarmony and Match.com, there are dozens and dozens of little special interest sites. Are you a dog lover? There’s a site for that. Looking for an Ivy Leaguer? There’s a site for that. There’s even a new site called Dating With Challenges where you can meet others in the same situation.
All dating sites require a profile, and most would like you to upload a photo. The picture and the profile are what initially attracts someone and interests them enough to start a conversation with you. So put as much effort into your profile as you need to make it stand out.
Some tips for creating a dating profile:
- Don’t make your disability the focus of your profile. Point out the positive characteristics you possess and don’t focus on your disability. Mention it in a way that makes it seem like just another part of you. An example might be, “don’t let my wheelchair fool you; I still play a mean game of basketball.”
- Have a friend read your profile. By having an objective friend read your dating site profile, you can get an honest opinion of what you did right and what you can change to make yourself sound more interesting to a potential date.
- Keep it short. Don’t go into detail about your entire life story. The people who are browsing dating sites generally only look at your picture and take the time to read a short paragraph. So make that short paragraph count. Make yourself sound irresistible without exaggerating.
- Take a good picture. Try to de-emphasize your wheelchair in the picture (in other words, don’t make it the focal point of the photo). Don’t hide your disability or any mobility device; simply try not to make them the focus of your profile picture.
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