"Let’s face it: Dating, in general, is exhausting. But online dating? Forget it. Whether you’ve experienced dating app burnout from too much swiping or suffered from single fatigue thanks to one too many situationships gone wrong, finding a true connection online can feel hopeless. As a girlie who’s spent her fair share of time in the online dating world, I know what it’s like. The search can feel overwhelming and never-ending. But with a new year comes a new perspective, and if you ask me, there is no better time to refresh your approach to dating and try some new online dating strategies.
Dating Sunday (the busiest day of the year for online dating) is January 5th this year, which means that if you’re thinking about how you can actually find love and connections in 2025, you’re not alone. Seriously, according to Plenty of Fish, 36 percent of people plan to switch up their previous approach to dating in the new year, with 46 percent planning to be more open-minded and 47 percent planning to go on more dates.
We connected with Dana Rosewall, an online dating expert and Co-CEO of luxury dating platform Seeking, to learn how we can refresh our approach to online dating in the new year and what dating strategies we can leverage while we’re at it. Ahead are her tips and advice.
Dana Rosewall
Dana Rosewall is the dynamic Co-CEO of Seeking, a luxury dating platform, where she met her now-husband, the founder and CEO, Brandon Wade. Bringing a wealth of professional and personal experience to her role, Rosewall’s mission is to enhance user experience and help users find matches that elevate and complement their life.
Focus on yourself
Don’t roll your eyes at me! As cliche as it sounds, the best path to finding success in your dating life is by putting yourself first—and Rosewall agrees. Many of us are looking for “the one,” but Rosewall says that we need to prioritize our own growth more than anything, whether that’s through education, advancing in our career, or pursuing personal passions. “By focusing on your own path, you’ll start to feel fulfilled,” she shares, which makes us less likely to invite people into our lives that don’t necessarily add to it or deserve to be there (hello, standards!). Not to mention, it will “bring a more authentic and refreshed energy to your approach to dating,” she adds. This is because you’re not looking for someone to complete you—you’re looking for someone to complement you instead.
Be deliberate about where you search
Every dating app has its niche, so it’s important to use the one that best aligns with you, your values, and your dating desires. For example, if you’re looking for something serious, you might look to a platform like Match, Seeking, or Hinge. Alternatively, if you’re just dipping your toes back in the dating pool and want something casual, you might try Tinder. Since “many popular apps prioritize quantity over quality,” frustrating and superficial interactions are all too common, according to Rosewall. So do your research to find out which one best aligns with your values, lifestyle, or specific goals. They will be more likely to produce the results you’re looking for. “Higher quality matches will directly lead to a better online dating experience,” says Rosewall.
Date outside your type
It can be easy to get caught up in surface-level attraction, especially when it comes to online dating. We are all guilty of swiping right solely because we are attracted to someone’s looks. But basing your possible connections on surface-level traits like looks, job titles, or money leaves little room for adaptability and curiosity. “When you are able to appreciate people’s unique differences and are open to new experiences during the dating process, you are more likely to end up finding love in unexpected places”, Rosewall notes.
“Even though attraction is important, it isn’t everything—character counts too.”
Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t set standards for yourself and have preferences in dating—you absolutely should have a set of unshakeable values that your prospective partner aligns with. Just remember that even though attraction is important, it isn’t everything—character counts too. Looking outside of your typical type can be the answer to finally finding someone you truly connect with.
Be unapologetically yourself
In an online world dominated by surface-level interactions and personas, authenticity is rare. To find success in a space like that, it’s so important to be honest and direct about who you are, what you like, and what your expectations are for dating. It sounds obvious, but as women, we often “feel pressured to be overly accommodating in dating,” according to Rosewall. To give a simple example of this, you might say that you really enjoy the outdoors, even though you wouldn’t be caught dead in a tent, because someone you matched with has hiking photos in their profile. Or you might say that you’re cool with something casual because you don’t want to scare someone away when you’re secretly hoping it will turn into something long-term.
I’ll always believe that honesty attracts honesty, and Rosewall agrees. “You will start to attract partners who genuinely respect you, which will result in a stronger, healthier, and longer-lasting relationship”. So, if you want to get closer to finding the right person for you, don’t beat around the bush. Be direct about who you are and what you want out of a partnership.
Set limits with your apps
Too much of anything is never a good thing. (Read that again!) Set some boundaries for yourself while on the search for a match, and remember that it’s OK to take a step back sometimes. Love doesn’t happen overnight, even if you swipe right 100 times in a day, so it’s a good idea to set limits for yourself. Maybe you decide to only spend 20 minutes a day on dating apps, or maybe you only open the app at night instead of all damn day long. This will make the time you do spend looking for a SO more intentional and purposeful. Plus, the less time you’re looking down at your phone, the more time you are present IRL, and who knows—you might find yourself having your very own meet-cute.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.