Dust off that Tinder account and upload a cute selfie onto Bumble because there’s no better time to meet a stranger than a pandemic.
Since Coronavirus lockdown restrictions hit the United States in March of 2020, online dating has spiked in usage, singles everywhere finding this time a little lonelier than usual.
If you’re anything like me, the idea of meeting up with someone from one of these apps or websites seems extremely daunting and almost nauseating. However, when you can stay cozied up on your couch, with absolutely no end to lockdown insight, people found it a lot easier to come out of their shell and meet potential partners.
According to PBS, the dating website OKCupid has had a 700% increase in users going on virtual dates. Many other dating apps are also adding FaceTime options to create a more comfortable and safe atmosphere for that first time meeting someone. Business Insider reports that messaging on app Hinge increased 30%, and Tinder had their most traffic in the app’s history on March 29th, recording more than 3 billion swipes.
This has been an opportunity for many to build confidence, work on coming out of their shell, and make the first move. What do you have to lose when you’re forced to stay in your house for months on end?
Influencer and self-proclaimed “Queen of Confidence” Serena Kerrigan, also known as Serena F*cking Kerrigan or SFK for short, has built her brand on channeling her self-love. As the Queen of Confidence, she believes it’s essential to be your own personal hype woman and never to let anyone treat you less than you’re worth.
Serena started “Let’s F*cking Date” (shortened to LFD) on April 23rd. After succumbing to loneliness during her self isolation, she decided she would go on Instagram Live to her then 40,000 followers and go on a blind date.
She’s continued this series every Friday and now Wednesdays throughout the summer. She has grown her account to over 70,000 followers, creating a separate account for LFD that’s accumulated 20,000. An episode in May even acquired more than 28,000 viewers.
Serena has built a brand that empowers all genders to put themselves out there, channel their inner SFK, and go after that special someone. Who cares if the relationship lasts ten minutes or ten years? You got yourself out there, made a connection, and made the pandemic a little less lonely.
Whether you’re looking for someone to play the long game with or just someone to help pass the isolation period, online dating has proven to make the “Q” a little less lonely. Unleash your inner SFK, and show the online dating world that you’ve arrived.
Words by Olivia Hawkins
Graphic by Maria Sofia Motta