How to meet other single adults in the middle of pandemic?

Hi BPN community, any advice on where to meet intelligent and interesting single people in the middle of this pandemic? I am a woman in my early 50s, parent of a teenager whom I have half-time, and am newly single after a rocky on-and-off decade-long relationship, and feeling very lonely. I am not looking to jump into anything new, but I would like to meet people. I'm an academic, love the arts, good food and wine, walks in nature, am politically active (ultra left), international, kind, loving, and, well, attractive, but that matters the least. I have a lot to share but really can't bear the thought of building a profile on a dating site. I'd love to find some social groups online of people with similar interests. The thought of waiting until this pandemic is over to go back out and meet people (not even sure how?) is pretty unbearable. Thanks for any advice, of any kind :) Also to add - I'm looking to meet a man, but am open to friendships with people of all genders.

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When I was single, I loved a singles hiking club.  Something like this should be able to continue even during the pandemic if social distancing is applied.  I found it was a great way to meet men but also make friends.  And it is low pressure...you hike beside someone for a while and chat.  There's something much easier about talking when side by side rather than sitting across a table from a stranger.  If you are satisfied with the present company and want to talk to someone new, you can fairly easily fall back to walk with someone else for a while.  The club I was in was during my Atlanta GA days, but perhaps there is one in the Bay Area?

Lots of people are using regular dating sites to just meet people and become friends right now. Given social distancing protocols, I think a lot of people don't even really expect more. But I have a couple friends using dating sites and just making it clear they are looking for friendship right now because of COVID, and they seem to be finding like-minded folks and developing some nice friendships. I've also heard that new college students are using the apps for the same purpose since they can't meet people in dorms or class. Good luck!

Heck, that's a fine dating profile right there. Trim it up a bit, throw it on Bumble or Tinder or somewhere, along with a few photos, and watch them line up to date you. It's a strasnge process, but it can be fun and you'll definitely meet lots of people.

Hi there - I'm a single mom with a teenage daughter who just started 9th grade at BHS this week.  We moved up from the LA area in the middle of April and I know a few people in the area from my childhood but not many.  I would love to have a friend to go for a walk, chat and grab a beer or a glass of wine and chat.  I'm also looking to meet men, but it's weird on dating sites at this time with COVID and all.  If you'd like to connect, let me know.  Hope it gets better for you soon.  I totally appreciate you putting yourself out there.  The loneliness is real for so many of us.  Thanks for reaching out.  Happy Friday.  Joyfully,  Heather :)

Thanks for your post.  I'm sorry for your situation, but I definitely can relate to what you're feeling.  I'm also newly single and the father of a 6-year-old boy.  Like you, I also feel lonely, and the prospect of online dating doesn't sound too alluring for me.  I much prefer meeting people in the traditional way.  In the past, I've had lots of success meeting interesting women during my time learning a foreign language (e.g. German).  The singles hiking club idea that somebody mentioned sounds really good, so I'm going to look into that.  Anyway, all the best, and please let us know if you discover any good ways for meeting people during Covid and I will share any tips I discover along the way.

Hi,

i am now 50.  I divorced at 41 after being married to a man who is actually wonderful for 17 years.  We mostly grew apart.  It was one of the most difficult times in my life.  

I had a friend who gave me simple advice that I followed.  She said date and meet people.  Use online dating.  It really is Facebook for single people. I listened to her advice.  I dated, had fun and met my now husband and have a 3 and a 5 year old.  Dreams do come true:) 

Thank you all for your advice! I am just reading it all now, as I hadn't realized people had responded (I guess I need to learn how to use BPN better). I really appreciate all of the solidarity and support. I will definitely look into a hiking club, great idea, and maybe even an online language class or something like that. In terms of putting a profile on a dating site, it's the picture that makes me nervous. As in - what if people I know see it? Maybe I'm worrying too much, and maybe it doesn't matter. Thanks again everyone.