Skip to content

Don’t let ‘dating burnout’ prevent you pursuing romance – 3 tips to come out of it�

Dating can be exhausting, especially when your efforts are wasted and not appreciated. This is especially prevalent online when people experience “dating burnout.”

Online dating isn’t all that bad if you know how to navigate some of its challenges. Still, some people end up going on terrible dates, like the one that lasted less than two minutes, which will only make you believe there’s no hope for romance and love.

Female hands holding red mobile phone with many social media likes on pink background
Credit: Olha Danylenko | Getty Images

What is dating burnout?

Are you tired of swiping left and right only to be disappointed each time? Has this stopped you from finding love altogether? You’re likely experiencing dating burnout.

It’s feeling drained and no longer enjoying dates; not even looking forward to meeting someone new. As the dating and social networking app Bumble explains: “You may feel like dating is a waste of time and start to disassociate from the idea of finding a partneror dread the idea of going on a date.”

One of the signs you’re experiencing dating burnout is mindless swiping, without clarity on what you want. Psychologist and dating coach Dr. Madeleine Mason Roantree says dating burnout also makes people more critical of profiles, prompting them to quickly dismiss potential dates.

This could also manifest as delayed responses to messages, negative self-talk, and critical thoughts about yourself. Don’t lose hope if you experience one or more of the above symptoms because getting out of dating burnout is possible.

3 tips to deal with dating burnout

One of the first things you should do upon experiencing dating burnout is take a break from online dating.

Once you feel ready to swipe left or right, set intentions so you know what you’re seeking. It’s easy to get lost amid the endless options if you aren’t sure of what you want, thus experiencing burnout.

And then, know your capacity for dating and invest only so much time and energy. Whether going through profiles online or meeting daters in person, allowing a certain amount of time prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and drained.

Although dating burnout can feel like the end of the road, don’t lose hope. Also, be mindful of matches on dating apps by not overlooking the obvious red flags.