For most people, the pandemic altered normal life drastically. The safety precautions and subsequent social adjustments that came with protecting yourself and your loved ones from contagion probably inspired you to put more thought into which people you chose to interact with. No matter how close you are with your family or your chosen pod, this change was likely a challenge.

Being isolated from the typical social circles was hard enough for families, but for single people with active dating lives, it held another layer of difficulty. Many people find it hard to get to know someone well through a computer screen, and even if some level of closeness can be achieved, it's just not the same as meeting in person. Furthermore, now that safety recommendations have relaxed a little, you may still be feeling some residual anxiety about returning to the dating scene. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the process.

Make a Move

If anything is clear from surviving a pandemic, it's that the future is never promised. If you feel like you are ready to start dating again, make a clear action plan and carry it out. Your old standby of attending singles night or mixers at your church may not seem like a viable option, but that doesn't mean there are no good ways to meet people. If you have never tried online dating, now is the perfect time to give it a chance. You have to take the first step, though. Fill out your profile and start looking at other people you find interesting. Don't be afraid to make the first move. 

Plan Ahead

It's natural, after watching a global catastrophe and the various human reactions to it, to not be so certain whom you can trust. While this lesson may be valuable in some ways, it can dampen some of the fun of meeting someone new. You can recapture that spark simply by giving you and your potential dates a little more time.

You may love spontaneity, but if you're already feeling nervous about jumping back into dating, it's ok to put it on the back burner for a while. If you meet someone through a dating site, plan your first face-to-face encounter a couple of weeks in advance. That way, you have a set period of time to get to know him or her a little better before adding the stress of the actual date. 

Address Anxiety

As the day you plan to meet draws near, you may find yourself feeling more nervous. It may even be so intense it starts to feel like dread. This feeling doesn't necessarily mean that you should cancel the date, though. It probably is just the common anticipatory response that you might experience with any event that is not part of your normal routine. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with everyday stress. Redirecting your energy to another activity can be both productive and relaxing. Try some common stress-relief tactics:

• Tighten and release muscles
• Give yourself a massage
• Do some cardio exercises
• Clean your house
• Go for a walk

Finally, give yourself grace. It's normal to be nervous before meeting someone new for the first time, even when you are dating regularly. By acknowledging your feelings and taking time for self-care, you can be ready to be as relaxed as possible when it's time to start dating again.

The pandemic may have brought a lot of changes to your routine, but it doesn't have the power to keep you from seeking love or happiness. There's a world of possibility waiting for you when you are ready to get back out there and face it again.