Believe it or not, we are well into the rainy spring season. Initially, spring was known as lent, or the Lenten season and these flashes of warm weather have been a constant reminder that the second-best season, summer, is quickly approaching! But before hot boy/girl summer can start, it’s time for some spring cleaning. “Spring cleaning” is about so much more than just our homes; it also includes dating and relationships. As the weather gets warmer, the ‘women-first dating and networking app’, Bumble, shares what we can expect from dating in 2022.
Softlaunch or Hardball?
2021 has brought us terms such as ‘soft launching’ and ‘hard-balling. ‘Soft launching’ is for those who take a more subtle approach to sharing relationship news. ‘Hard-balling’ is coined for knowing exactly what you want after months of reflection. Bumble insights show that more than half (59%) of people on the app, globally, say that they are now more upfront with partners about what they want.
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Breaking Down the Trends for 2022
- ‘Explori-dating’: While what we’re looking for has changed, this hasn’t necessarily made dating super serious. The pandemic has made almost half of us question our ‘type.’ Looking ahead to 2022, more than 1 in 3 people on Bumble would describe their approach to dating as exploratory. Additionally, nearly one-third of respondents in Canada say they are more open to exploring a relationship with someone who lives in another city.
- Resetters: Being restricted to our homes has drastically changed how we date, with many adopting video chat and planning virtual dates. Nearly half are ready to hit the reset button on their dating journey this year. The data shows that the pandemic has drastically changed what we are looking for in a potential partners. This was exceptionally high for Gen Z in Canada at 51%.
- Consciously Single: The pandemic has made most of us realize that it’s okay to be alone for a while. Looking ahead, people are consciously making a decision to be single, with the bulk of singletons globally being more mindful of how and when they date. Additionally, in Canada, over a quarter of people on Bumble say questions about dating or their relationship status from friends and family don’t affect them and highlight that they don’t feel self-conscious about being single.
- Dry Dating: Many have changed their relationship with alcohol and adopted new drinking habits, especially post-confinement. 34% of people are now more likely to consider going on a ‘dry date’ than they were pre-pandemic. Going out for drinks is still a standard in dating, but data shows that this societal norm is shifting. Analytics also show that over a quarter of people in Canada confirm they are drinking a lot less than before.
- Power PDA: There was a scare for a bit, but PDA is back in a big way! Globally, more than two-thirds say that they are more open to public displays of affection post-pandemic. This rings true in Canada, with 71% agreeing with the sentiment. There’s also an increased openness to sexual exploration among Bumble users.
Numbers Don’t Lie
These insights indicate that there’s no better time of the year to enjoy a fresh start than the springtime. Alanna Lauren Greco, Bumble’s director of editorial content, says, “people are expressing an increased openness to communicating their boundaries and desires when it comes to sexual health and preferences, and they are not afraid to let go of relationships that are not meeting those needs. They’re more upfront and honest about what they’re looking for in a relationship – whether it’s something casual or serious.”
Feature image by The Paris Photographer
