I was on/off app dating. That was exhausting and a swiping lottery! Judging if someone is “right” just from a photo, the try-hard tagline is never easy. Nobody can warn you of the emotional hours you’ll spend having a conversation over message, only to end up being disappointed either being ghosted ornate fancying the people you do finally meet.
After rather too many negative dating app experiences, I decided there must be an alternative! A different way to avoid the pressure of one-to-one dates, and instead – enjoy single life with a bunch of people in the same situation. So, after sharing these thoughts with other single friends in their 40s and 50s, I set up Date in the Diary in 2023!
A date to make in-person connections with groups of like-minded single people, naturally – you know like we used to! Doing something fun, anexperience, or an event. No expectations and no disappointment. If you happen to meet someone you’re attracted to romantically, then it’s a bonus – and a “date”! But in the meantime you can make lots of genuine friendships and connections!
Date in the Diary is nearly 3 years old now, we have grown organically and changed things along the way. I’m constantly engaging with our members to understand what type of events and activities they are interested in and getting feedback and recommendations. These conversations have informed the many events we host, along with lots of social get-togethers. Going into our third year, we are going from strength to strength.
This isn’t some algorithm-based service: it’s back to meeting people in person in a social environment. The old-fashioned way! What has been fantastic is the Date in the Diary community that has formed; a group of like minded, fun, single people – that keeps growing. Some genuine friendships have formed, there have been many dates and quite a few couples (some who have been together over 2 years).
We are not about quantity but quality. Anyone reading this probably has experience of walking into a single’s event and feeling like those people are just not your people. Our member referral does keep the right, like minded people joining and that’s why the formula works. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re divorced, separated, a single parent, widowed or just been single for a while.
There has honestly never been a better time to find yourself single and live your best single life.
Thank you and I hope to speak to you very soon. Lisa xx
