Off the dating apps, and into the world. How to meet in real life in 2025
In 2025, dating apps are everywhere, and for many, they’re going nowhere. After years of matching, ghosting, chatting, deleting, and redownloading, a quiet shift is happening. Women are beginning to ask the question of “what if I met someone in real life?”
This idea might feel old school, romantic and radical, especially in 2025. For years, dating apps have become the new automatic default, it’s convenient and always available. But women are becoming tired, tired of the talking stages that end in a “read”, situationships that feel never ending and emotionally unavailable matches. In 2025, a dating reset is brewing, bringing back the initial eye contact, butterflies and spontaneity of meeting someone in real life.
Stepping off the apps isn’t about deleting love from your life. It’s about inviting it in, with presence, spontaneity, and a little bit of real-world magic.
Dating App Burnout
The rise in dating app fatigue isn’t just anecdotal, it’s proven. According to Forbes Health, 79% of Gen Z are feeling dating app burnout. From a failure to connect to being disappointed by potential matches, the fatigue and burnout are at an all-time high.
It’s not that dating apps are inherently bad, they’ve helped millions find love, friendships and even soulmates. But they’re also breeding a generation of burnout Gen Z’s who are connection fatigued. What was once novel and dopamine hitting has been replaced with a craving for that initial first spark, just like the movies.
Step 1: Log off The Dating Apps
The first step is the hardest, which is deleting your profile and the app. It might not be forever, but it needs to be long enough for a dating reset. Deleting the apps allows for an emotional capacity to rediscover the organic connection of meeting someone in real life. Without the digital distraction, of waiting for a match, a like or even a reply. It becomes easier to notice the world again, the stranger with a coffee in the book shop, a barista or even a one true love hiding in plain sight.
Step 2: Start Talking Again
Every love, soulmate or first date, starts with one thing, talking. That first conversation is the gateway to any relationship. It doesn’t have to be flirty, or perfect. It just has to come from the heart, to be genuine.
Start by talking to the person on the next mat at Pilates, compliment a book choice or coffee order. These micro interactions may seem like a pointless starting point, but they build confidence.
The confidence to eventually build a deep and meaningful connection, that sparks into love. Conversations aren’t dead, they just had a blip of replacement by Instagram, so bring them back.
Step 3: Romanticise
Don’t wait for the movie perfect moment, in a grand romantic setting. Modern women are finding deep connections in their everyday environments. The local cafe where they get their morning coffee, bookstores, the local markets or even work. It’s about being present both internally and externally, without air pods or the need to look ‘busy’. Create a world of possibilities, for true love, in every place.
Fashion plays a part too, many women are choosing to dress for themselves, not the apps or a date, but for confidence. There’s an enlightening feeling, when women are unapologetically themselves, especially through their style.
Step 4: Mindset
The most important part of real life dating is the mindset. It’s about changing those conversations internally, thinking “how can I be more emotionally available to a connection?”. Self-love is crucial, because when women love themselves, love often comes their way.
Every person has their true love or soulmate, it’s all about women putting themselves out there. Practice being present in everyday situations, and it will have a flow on effect. The truth is, most people are just as eager to meet someone in real life, they’re just waiting for that first move. It all starts with eye contact, a smile and a conversation, because confidence is contagious.
Click here for the pancake theory on dating.
Remember
Not every person will be a great love story, but that’s okay. Some will be awkward, or reminders of what you’re truly looking for.
The key is taking a chance and making a conscious choice to connect in real life. This will build confidence, clarity and openness. So, start the conversation, because that’s how every love story begins.
