Let’s face it, the world of dating has turned from what could be a romantic tale to tell the grandkids to a sad story of swiping right and left.
Anyone who works with people knows you must pay attention to every aspect of a person, and yet as I reflect on my experience (therapeutically, managerially, or as a coach practitioner), I have never delved into focused work on someone’s romantic life. Perhaps it’s cultural influence or perceptions of what is “appropriate”, or simply my own hesitation to confront an incredibly personal topic.
Interestingly though, as a coach this is now a topic I am being asked to work on with clients and if someone hasn’t captured our hearts already then it certainly seems the topic alone has.
In 2022, 49.63% of adults (25.99 million people) in the UK reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always. Approximately 7.1% of people in Great Britain (3.83 million) experience chronic loneliness, meaning they feel lonely ‘often or always’. According to a global survey, about 33% of adults experienced feelings of loneliness worldwide.
Of course this is not to say that being single means you feel lonely, and in fact I myself have had many periods of being blissfully single. However feelings of loneliness clearly are on the rise and it is reasonable to assume that the lack of an intimate partner can contribute to this for many.
Human beings have an innate need to belong and we are social creatures by nature. However, the stories we grew up with of how people met and lived happily ever after simply aren’t (for most) the reality we live in, and a common theme I’m finding is that our own fear is stepping in the way of finding a partner to share our life with in any meaningful way.
I often think back to how my grandparents or even my parents met. Both were such romantic stories of chance encounters and yet for the past 5 years of my dating life, as well as many I know, the only viable way of meeting a potential partner has been online. And with the online world comes so many challenges; catfishing, ghosting, seemingly unlimited options, endless comparison, matching your online self to your real self. Are you put off yet?
It’s no wonder that so many want and need someone in their corner; to navigate this and feel confident to enter what can be a terrifying arena. As a coach, it is an area I feel equally cautious and excited to support.
So here I am; helping people be their best and most resilient selves as they take steps to try and meet someone. Not sure what you want from dating? How to approach it? Clarifying your boundaries? Or even, what your ideal first date would be? We can talk through it all and work out what’s best for you.
My sessions are tailor-made and most importantly, strictly confidential so you always know you’re in safe hands and whatever you tell me stays between us.
If you or someone you know is interested in dating coaching, feel free to drop me a line for a quick chat!
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