Blog

This week on Swoon, Julie and Gina answer 3 listener questions about dating now that things are opening back up. Are you wondering how to go about dating now? Need some help communicating your needs if you are dating multiple people? Or are you wondering if the person you are seeing is stringing you along? 

Listen for answers to these questions and more! If you have a question you want addressed on a future episode, leave us a voicemail at 971-202-0969.

This episode covers:

• Dating in a post-pandemic world
• Strategies to address social anxiety as you starting meeting new people
• Tips for setting boundaries
• Strategies for dating as things are opening back up
• How to date multiple people and how to talk to those people about it
• How to talk about safe sex with the people you are dating
• When is the right time to have certain dating conversations?
• How do you know when someone is stringing you along and what do you do about it?

Memorable quotes

“I had my first handshake with a stranger and it was SHOCKING!”

“This is awkward and new. We are all really out of practice.”

“Don't let your fear of being awkward keep you from doing this. Practice is what makes things easier.”

“Social anxiety is common for a lot of people right now.”

“Know your boundaries going into any date.”

“Take time now before you meet someone in person and think about what you need in order to feel safe and enjoy yourself.”

“If someone's not OK with your boundaries, you shouldn't be on a date with them.”

“How do we casually date now and how do we talk about it.”

“The more we just name what the fuck is going on, the better we are. And that gives people the opportunity to say, I'm on board with it or I'm not.”

“Most adults date more than one person!”

“Get really clear about what you want and check in to see if the person wants something similar.”

“All three of these questions require self awareness and getting clear about what you want and need and then checking in with the other person to see if they want the same thing.”

Resources from the Podcast

Swoon Episode #55 – Dating during a pandemic

Swoon Episode #16 – You Can't Hurry Love: Dating in Real Life

Swoon Episode #50 – Love Story - Online Dating

Swoon Episode #24 – Thank You, Next: How Not to Get Into the Same Bad Pattern Again & Again

Swoon Episode #63 Come Talk to Me: What to Say in Tricky Conversations

Swoon Episode #70 – Communication Skills for Every Relationship

Love More Fight Less, Communication Workbook for All Couples, Gina Senarighi

Action Steps

Bottom line: Communicate more, get specific, say what you need.

Leave your question on our voicemail so we can address it on a future show: 971-202-0869!

Hire a therapist or a coach

Looking for professional relationship support? Connect with Gina

Looking for a therapist in Oregon? Connect with Julie

Get support

Join Julie and Gina for the Best Sex of Your Life in 2021

Love More Fight Less: A Relationship Workbook, Gina Senarighi

Your Swoon hosts

Gina Senarighi, MS, MA, CPC is a sexuality counselor and communication consultant specializing in healthy boundaries, passionate relationships, jealousy, and infidelity. She supports non-traditional couples all over the world as a retreat leader and certified relationship coach.
Connect with Gina

Julie Jeske, LPC is a sex and relationship counselor. She has a private practice where she helps clients increase intimacy, ignite passion and deepen their connection to themselves and others. Julie especially loves to help women discover who they are sexually. Through counseling, online classes, or in-person retreats; her clients learn how to talk about their sexual and relationship desires, and explore ways to make them a reality.
Connect with Julie