As the calendar turns to a new year, January often marks the onset of fresh starts and new beginnings. However, for many people, it also signals the season of endings, with the strains of the holiday season and the desire for a renewed start of the year being two of the main causes for relationship breakdowns. In fact, January has been unofficially recognized as the “breakup month”, closely trailing December. Just think of local celebrity couples who took their love from reel to real and many others in your circle who have gone on their personal journeys of separation and are embarking on self-discovery during this period.
Embracing the year of self
Break-ups may sting, but they often come with a silver lining – the space to discover one’s self again. According to Bumble*, the women-first dating and social networking app, there is an air of optimism and clarity for the ‘year of self’ going into 2024 among Filipino women. In fact, more than half (63%) of Filipino women surveyed are going into the new year with a clear view of what they want from their romantic lives.
More importantly, single people are reframing how they date to better protect their mental health. Dubbed by Bumble as the Consider-date trend, Filipinos are recognizing the importance of prioritizing self-care and mental health during their dating journey, with almost half (49%) of those surveyed actively choosing ‘slow-dating’ and being considerate about how much they are dating to ensure quality over quantity. This is even more evident among women (56%).
Bumble APAC Communications Director Lucille McCart says, “Whether the Filipinas’ game at the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign inspired you to like sports for the first time, or you refuse to use tech when Mercury is in retrograde, shared interests are often the bedrock of healthy relationships. Bumble’s features like Interest Badges, photo verification, Spotify and Instagram integrations, Profile Prompts and even Beeline and Questions Game, are all created to facilitate better connection. Making the most of them can be a dating app gamechanger.”
Tips on how to start afresh this 2024
If you’ve recently gone through a break-up, or are simply looking forward to new beginnings, here are a few things to keep in mind as you chart a new path for your romantic journey this year.
- Start by taking it easy – Give yourself time to heal and adjust after a breakup or period of being single before entering a new relationship. Take things slowly, and don’t rush into dating again until you feel emotionally ready. Take time to reflect on your past experiences and learn from them.
- Try to be specific about the kind of person you are looking for – Knowing what you look for in a potential partner is important. It can help you avoid wasting time on people who may not align with your goals. By having some guiding criteria, you can make more informed dating decisions.
- Trust your gut – Pay attention to your intuition when interacting with potential partners. You should listen to your feelings if something isn’t right or you have doubts. In the long run, trusting your gut can help you avoid situations that are not healthy.
- Use Bumble’s features to find your match – Bumble has a few features that help you find what you’re looking for if you consider getting back into dating. With Bumble Premium, you get access to Advanced Filters. It allows you to search based on age, distance, religion, politics, education level, the kind of relationship someone is looking for, and more.
Exclusive Dating App hot tips from Bumble
For the first time, Bumble is sharing the optimal times to swipe based on peak activity time from our Filipino community ?. Here’s a guide on maximizing your impact during the week to make a fresh start:
- Sunday: 3:00-4:00 pm – Sundays are the most popular days on Bumble as many set their dates for the week ahead.
- Tuesday: 6:00-7:00 pm – Tuesdays are the perfect time for some late-night swiping. If you’re feeling flirty, try sending a Compliment to kick off a conversation with a little extra kindness.
- Wednesday: 8:00-9:00 pm – The weekend is almost calling! Time to confirm your dates for the days ahead and set a quick video call. Initiating a call on Bumble is a quick and safe way to make the first move, or a great way to get familiar with someone.
- Thursday: 7:00-8:00 pm – You’re out for dinner with your besties and inevitably discuss your dating lives. And, if you’re hiding from a former hometown flame, don’t forget about Incognito Mode.
- Friday: 9:00-10:00 pm – Ladies and gentlemen, the weekend. To make the most of your post-work swiping and head right into the weekend, take advantage of your Beeline to see the people in your area who have already swiped right on you.
- Saturday: 12:00-1:00 pm – You’ve clocked a lot of family time this week – take some time for yourself (and your matches) on Saturday afternoon.
