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There comes a time in every freelancer’s life when long work days need to be punctuated by something more fulfilling, like a relationship. The thing is, that can be easier said than done for many freelancers – after all, it’s common to have clients or gigs in more than one time zone at a time! So, if you’re a single freelancer who’s wondering how to navigate the world of dating in the midst of your work, read on for some ideas!
Do what you love.
Although it’s great to meet someone who has different interests that you can learn from, shared hobbies are an important base for any dating relationship. So, how do you go about meeting people with shared interests? Attend events that you’d be going to anyway! Concerts, book groups, museum tours, community events, trivia nights…the possibilities are endless, especially if you live within a decent travelling distance of any major city.
The thing about this is, however, that you obviously don’t want to look too available or just go up to someone you’re interested in and start talking – these are strangers, after all! So, how do you actually meet people at these sorts of events? Waiting in lines helps to start conversations, asking legitimate questions during groups/tours/community events, that sort of thing. Be as genuine and self-assured as possible.
Be open to possibilities.
It can certainly be difficult, after relationships going awry and/or being single for a while, to wade back into the dating pool. Most people shy away from the idea of a blind date, but it might be something that’s worth considering, especially if you completely trust the judgement of the person who’s trying to set you up with someone in the first place.
Maintain a reasonable amount of caution.
Then, there’s the issue of whether to use online dating services versus just going out and meeting people “in real life.” There are, of course, pros and cons to both. If you’re a freelancer with a particularly tricky schedule, online dating and eventually meeting in person might seem the most convenient, and some people have met their match this way.
However, even the most reputable sites (by this, I mean the ones with paid subscriptions and background checks) still will have those who aren’t what they seem. The same can be said, too, of those you meet strictly in person (which should only ever be in well-populated, safe places), so proceed accordingly be maintaining a healthy amount of caution.
Realize that it’s a process.
The thing about dating (and, indeed, most things in life) is that you can’t rush things, or make things happen according to a set schedule. Some of the best things in life come in the form of surprises! Don’t jump into a relationship for the sake of not being alone. It’s much, much better to develop your own character by yourself than to have your light dimmed in the wrong relationship. Be patient, go about your life, make an effort to keep more of a work-life balance, and the chances are good that love will come your way.
Content source: my own blog - please click the image below for the link!
