Single All the Way?
The Pressures of Dating During the Holidays
If being single during the holidays makes you feel like a Scrooge, you are not alone! According to a recent study, Christmas beats Valentine’s Day for the loneliest day of the year for singles, with 49% saying they’d feel more excited for the holidays if they had a significant other. In this digital age, social media can play a big part in making singles feel lonely- I read somewhere that during the month of December, your social media feeds may as well be the engagement announcement section of the newspaper. With so many couples getting engaged during the holidays, it can really make singles feel the pressure to find a partner.
While the pressures of the festive season increase stress and anxiety for singles, that’s not stopping them from seeking a partner! Cuffing season, the period between the holidays and Valentine’s Day, is the busiest time in the dating world: everyone is looking for a romantic partner to keep them company through the long dark days of winter (and to avoid their being single the dominating topic of conversation). Despite the increase in dating during this time, 61% of online daters find it more difficult to date during the holidays, with the pressure to invite people they're dating to holiday gatherings, feeling rushed to commit, and anxiety about gift-giving being the most common stressers reported in this recent survey.
49% of singles report that they’d feel more excited for the holidays if they had a significant other.
Between holiday pressures and the lasting impacts of the pandemic on social, mental, and economical aspects of life, we are seeing that the dating industry looks entirely different during cuffing season this year. While some changes are warmly welcomed, dating experts have noticed a negative trend, called Winter Coating, become more common among singles.
What is Winter Coating?
Winter Coating means to rekindle a relationship with an old flame. While this isn’t new, there has been a massive increase in this trend since the beginning of the pandemic. With lockdown restrictions and health considerations, many singles simply didn’t feel comfortable meeting new people, so they just rekindled relationships with ex’s. This trend stands strong this year too, with some singles reporting that the rising cost of living and social burnout means they are seeking relationships that don’t require that initial “wine and dine” period that costs a notable amount of time and money. However, it’s important to remember that most of the time, there was a reason the relationship didn’t work out in the first place- so winter coating is not a great strategy to finding a long term partner.
A survey done in 2022 reported that 52% of UK singles said they've been contacted by an ex who wanted to rekindle their connection.
The dating industry has been busier than ever before- it just looks different than it did pre-pandemic.
For many of us, the pandemic put the value of time and energy into perspective. With that said, many singles are now realizing they want to spend their time and energy nurturing relationships they already have, versus spending it on trying to find someone they may or may not be compatible with. With intentional dating more of a priority this holiday season, many singles are choosing to ditch the endless swiping of dating apps, and work with matchmakers to ‘vet’ potential dates based on compatibility, relationship expectations, and other requirements. This way, singles are able to spend their time building a relationship, instead of trying to find a potential date among the thousands of profiles and apps out there.
So, don’t let the pressure of the holiday’s stop you from dating - it’s likely that every other single is feeling the pressure too! Avoid negative dating trends like winter coating (this is your sign to block your ex’s number), and lead with transparency and honesty when you meet someone new.
