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When it comes to relationships, it’s a misconception universally acknowledged that to find your happily ever after you need to be a mirror of your partner. From your music, TV and film tastes through to your hobbies and interests, single people often believe that the more common interests you have, the more successful your relationship is likely to be.

But research has shown that this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Yet, despite this it remains one of the most common reasons for declining a potential match, with both online and offline agencies alike. How often have you looked over someone’s profile and declined or skipped over it simply because they had the ‘wrong’ taste in music, or they were too active and outdoorsy for you? Our guess? Quite a lot.

Although shared interests offer a common platform for you both to be excited about something and a good starting point for those initial conversations, it doesn’t guarantee that your relationship will achieve long-term success. In fact, according to psychology, there are only two things that a couple really needs to make a relationship work: a shared meaning in the relationship and to show an interest in one another’s hobbies and passions.

What is shared meaning in a relationship?

Successful relationships are built on so much more than common interests. Values, aspirations, and lifestyle are just as important, if not more so. These are the foundations that build a shared meaning in a relationship; knowing who you both are, what you are both about and what values are important to you.

But it’s important to remember that having a shared meaning in a relationship doesn’t mean you are abandoning the values and goals that you had when you were single. Instead, the best couples focus on the dreams that you both had before the relationship and work out as a partnership how you can help each other achieve them, whilst also making new goals for your future together.

Different passions doesn’t mean you’re not compatible

Just because you’re into 80s pop and your partner is more of a heavy metal fan, doesn’t mean that you can’t work as a couple. The same can be said if your idea of fun is climbing up mountains and camping on the weekends, but your partner would prefer a luxury break at a spa. These differences in our passions and interest are what make us all unique.

Although common interests can give you something to enjoy together, the important part and the compatibility between you comes from understanding and respecting the interests that your partner has – even if they are completely different to your own.

The difference between the couples that make it and the couples that don’t, isn’t down to the number of differences that they have, it’s how they manage and talk about those differences. So, next time you’re about to decline somebody based on their interests, take a moment to stop and think about traits that do align. Because if the important things are there surely, it’s worth putting up with their love for Country music or whatever else they may be into!

Dating doesn’t have to be a guessing game. If you’re single and looking for a new way to date that will help you find the true meaning of a relationship and discover what’s really important to you then, then get in touch with our team of expert matchmakers today. With their expert knowledge and guidance you can find a relationship that will be fulfilling and long-lasting, even if you have different interests.

Ageing. It’s a topic that ticks away quietly in the background as a natural element of life. Everyone knows that it plays a huge part in dating, but nobody ever has an honest conversation about it – until now.

Think about it, how many times have you heard someone say they’re a ‘young 54-year-old’ so looking for a partner who is younger than themselves? No matter what age you are, men and women over the age of 50 feel a need to deny the fact that they are ageing. But why?

After all, with age comes experience, knowledge, and maturity. While our bodies may be ageing physically, it doesn’t mean that you are any less dateable than someone in their twenties.

Age is just a number.

How old you are doesn’t stop you from doing the things that you love. We work with clients that are in their fifties and sixties that enjoy extreme sports or adventure activities, clients in their seventies that are still as switched on as they were in their thirties and still successfully running their businesses and clients in their twenties and thirties that love nothing more than a cosy night in.

The point is your age doesn’t determine who you are and what you like to do. And the same can be said for your potential partner. While you may class yourself as a ‘young 54-year-old’, everyone’s interpretation of youth is different. Although society and the media may lead us to believe that life stops after 50, it doesn’t. Ultimately though, you are still 54.

Your age isn’t something that you should be embarrassed about. It’s just a number – a date that you were born. The important point to remember is whether you choose to grow old gracefully or have a little work done to make yourself feel better, you can be just as attractive and dateable as you were before you reached your fifties – because deep down it’s the person that counts not the number.

So, next time you are looking at a profile of a prospective match, ignore the age. Read about the person and recognise the commonalities that you have, not only in terms of interests and hobbies but also the more important factors like values, aspirations, and lifestyle choices. Because when you get older and the looks fade for both of you, these will be the characteristics that matter most.

If you’re single and looking for a new way to date that recognises the value that you have to offer a partner away from your age, then get in touch with our friendly team today. Our expert matchmakers are here to help you realise just what you have to offer that special someone and ensure that you meet the right person in a safe, honest and enjoyable way.

It happens every year, the clock strikes midnight, a new year rolls round and everyone is filled with an urge to achieve everything they couldn’t last year – and dating is no different. That first Sunday of the year, affectionately named throughout the industry as Dating Sunday (which falls on January 2^nd this year), dating apps and agencies worldwide are flooded with singles searching for ‘the one.’ With the motivation of a new year dawning after another lonely festive holiday, it’s easy to see why it is the busiest day of the year when it comes to that search for love.

If you’ve made it through ‘cuffing season’ alone and are searching for a reason to jump back into dating, why not take a leap of faith and get involved in Dating Sunday this New Year. After all, 2022 brings with it a new host of possibilities so get off on the right track and start your dating journey today!

New year, new you

It’s time to put yourself out there and put yourself first. Think of the new year as a fresh start and a blank slate to really focus on what you are looking for, not only from your life but also your relationships. If you really feel like you are ready to date and are looking to make this year the year that you find love, then don’t let fear hold you back.

To help, it may be best to identify what’s been going wrong in the past. Is it your habits? Are you not giving people a chance? Are you giving too many people a chance? Are you searching for the impossible? Why not ask your nearest and dearest, the ones who know you best, for their honest feedback? With their input and your own self-reflection, you can break those bad habits this year and turn your dating journey around.

Connecting has never been more important

With the social isolation that COVID-19 brought upon everyone, that special connection and building of relationships has been missed more than ever. At the end of the day, humans are sociable creatures, and we naturally crave that interaction and communication with others.

The time spent alone has reinforced those natural impulses and sparked a greater desire for companionship and someone to share our lives with. So, after the uncertainty and loneliness of the last two years, it’s only fair to give yourself that chance to find someone special – you deserve it!

Dating will be more fun

Again, with the onset of the pandemic lockdown had us all cooped up in our houses, thirsting for any form of outdoor fun. While last year saw the rise of virtual dates, from cooking classes to cocktails and dinner over Zoom, they simply don’t compare to a good old-fashioned, in-person date.

But hopefully with the new year that is all set to change, and we can continue to enjoy the variety of dates possible and not just those that are socially distanced outdoors. Whether it’s a simple coffee in the park or an adventure-filled day of exploring a new city, the world is your oyster when it comes to date possibilities. If the pandemic has taught us one thing it’s to never take anything for granted and make the most of every opportunity.

There’ll be plenty of fish in the sea

Dating Sunday is set to be the busiest day on the dating scene. Take this opportunity to launch yourself into romance as there’ll be plenty of single people, just like you, looking for love. The most you’ll come across all year!

While this can be a daunting thought, particularly for those that haven’t been on the dating scene for a while or are starting the process following a divorce or bereavement, think of it as a positive. Dating is a numbers game. The more people that are looking for love, the bigger the opportunity for dates and the higher chance you have of finding that special someone who ignites that spark.

You will learn a lot along the way

No-one is promising that you’ll find your soulmate on your first date; however, dating is a wonderful experience and can help you learn a lot about yourself as you navigate your way through your own dating journey.

What is it that you really want in a life-partner? What are the absolute deal breakers for you? How do you envision your future relationship? All these questions will be answered as you meet different people and narrow down your search and the things that are important to you.

And don’t forget, dating can also be an opportunity to build your confidence. The more dates you experience, the more prepared you’ll be when the time comes, and you find Mr or Mrs Right.

If you feel you’re ready to get back into dating and make the most out of 2022, get in touch with our expert matchmakers today. They are on hand every step of your journey to help find you the most compatible partners and make your dating journey as smooth, safe, and enjoyable as possible.

After a year of uncertainty, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation, 2022 is bringing with it a blank slate for dating. A chance to start afresh, refocus on what is really important and find the best channel for you to tie down the one.

But unlike previous years, next year’s dating trends have got us feeling more optimistic and hopeful about the future of love. While ghosting, apocalypsing and breadcrumbing may still be around in small doses, bigger and better trends are coming and bringing with it a re-invigoration of the dating game!

Here are just some of the dating trends, coined by our team of matchmakers, to watch out for in 2022.

Agecentric (eyj-sen-trik) – a person’s obsession with being a young age, even if they are in their more mature years e.g. a young 65. When dating, people see the age and whether you are young or old looking, but instead of focusing on the year they were born, it’s time to focus more on the person.

Aggrandising (ag-gran-di-zing) – when a single person widens their criteria to increase their own-personal attractiveness amongst the opposite sex.

Intendating (in-ten-date-ing) – focusing on the long-term goal of the relationship e.g. marriage, children etc. and dating accordingly to make that happen.

Prelimidating (pre-lim-e-date-ing) – acting exclusive and enjoying the constant companionship and regular dates, allowing you to trial what a relationship would be like before making it official.

Quixotic (kwik-sot-ik) – the process of declining perfectly matched introductions because they don’t meet a criteria of unrealistic expectations that are out of reach.

Love is back in style

From aggrandising to prelimidating and intendating, dating just got serious. Long-term committed relationships are not just the must-have accessory for the season, but they are here to stay. Gone are the fleeting days of casual dating and seeing what happens, instead next year is bringing with it a stronger desire to find ‘the one’.

Expect to see more single people playing the long game when it comes to dating and taking the time to really get to know one another gradually before they make a decision as to whether they are the right partner for them. There will also be an increase in people taking more consideration into what their long-term goals are and how a partner fits into those, making intentional dating a key trend across all age groups and genders.

Whether you are new to the dating scene or been here a while, it seems the dating game is having a bit of a shake-up in 2022 and love is back in style and we couldn’t be happier. After all, there is someone out there for everyone, it’s just a matter of finding them.

If you are single and want to make 2022 the year that you find success in love, get in touch with our expert team today. Your dedicated matchmaker is ready and waiting to guide you through these new trends and make sure that you have everything you need to find that partner you have been searching for.

When you’re little and December rolls around, the same age-old Christmas traditions come alive, none more so than Santa’s wish list. From a young age, the list seems to be crammed with the latest crazes and things that at that moment in time are the most important things to you, so why is it we still take this childhood tradition into our adult dating lives?

Did we not learn that items on those wish lists, no matter how important they may seem at the time, are often a short-lived fad, soon to be replaced by something deemed more valuable as our personalities and tastes evolve?

And the same can be said for dating. After all, we can guarantee that how you pictured your perfect partner when you were younger is completely different to the image you have in your mind now. Evolution and changes to our preferences and tastes as we mature are normal, so this year maybe it’s time to scrap the Christmas wish list and head into the New Year with a clear slate, with the possibility of opportunity and here’s why.

How do you know you don’t like something if you’ve never tried it?

Without a list of preconceived expectations and ideas, you can open yourself up to so many different opportunities and possibilities – not just in your potential partner but also yourself.

Just like the question your parents used to ask when you were younger and they wanted you to try something new, “how do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t tried it?” While rock climbing or trekking may not have been on your must-do list previously, trying something new could unlock passions and interests that you had no idea about before.

The same can be said for music, literary and film preferences, dating with an open mind can give you room to grow and develop as an individual too. So next time you are reading over someone’s profile and their music or film choice is causing you to consider declining, take a moment to pause and remember that we don’t have to have everything in common with our partner because actually, those differences in the beginning could be something we grow to love ourselves in the future.

You could be the hurdle in your future happiness

It’s a well-known fact that nobody is perfect. Every one of us has our own little quirks, foibles and imperfections that make us who we are, so why do we expect our partners to be perfect and tick every box on our ever-growing list before we’ll even consider them as a match?

Those little things that you deem important all add up and soon enough you’ll realise that you’re creating the impossible for you, your matchmaker, and your future. For those that are avoidant in their attachment styles, coming up with barriers and reasons why someone is always not quite right is common – but it doesn’t have to be.

If you set off on your dating journey with a long list of criteria, you’re setting yourself up for failing. Each one of those qualities is a barrier that you are putting in place that is getting in the way of your happily ever after.

So instead of starting with a list, when thinking about that perfect partner for you, take a moment to consider what is really important to you. Things like age, height and even location are often the first things pushed aside when focusing on what you need from a partner. Instead, they are often replaced with more important values and aspirations such as the desire for a family in the future.

With a new year comes new opportunities

While having a short but loose list of criteria might help you get your dating journey started, don’t set it in stone. Instead make a resolution to head into the new year with a new approach to dating. Throw away that extensive list of traits and qualities that your new partner must meet and instead enjoy the possibilities that each new date brings – whether they are ‘the one’ or not. After all, all dates are good dates and great practice!

From new date venues and activities to introductions to new favourites, dating should be fun! So, start 2022 with a blank page and no preconceptions and we guarantee that you’ll see a huge turnaround in the success of your dating journey and who knows you might be pleasantly surprised when Mr or Mrs Right turns out to be everything that you didn’t think you wanted – trust us, you wouldn’t be the first!

If you’re single and ready to scrap that Christmas wish list and date more authentically then get in touch with our friendly team today. Our expert matchmakers can guide you every step of the way to help you to determine what really matters and find that perfect partner for you.

There’s no denying that over the last few decades, we have become a nation expecting instant gratification across all areas of our lives. From food venues to dates, we want everything there and then and if we can’t get it, we move onto the next thing without a second thought.

While technology and society’s behavioural changes have paved the way for this to happen, it has made us colder and less human than we ever were before. No sooner than we’ve found something and given it a chance, have we moved onto the next thing. Even those that have been quietly content with what they have, often find themselves wondering if the grass is greener on the other side.

But thankfully, this is all starting to change.

Slow and steady wins the race

Just like in the fable, the tortoise and the hare, rushing to complete things quickly doesn’t guarantee that you are likely to succeed. In fact, in the majority of instances in life, taking things slow and steady is more likely to see you achieve what you are hoping to – whether it’s relationships, fitness or careers, taking it slow will pay off in the long run.

The days of rushing through life and making hasty decisions when dating for fear of being alone are fast-becoming a thing of the past. If the pandemic and subsequent restrictions taught us anything this year, it’s that we shouldn’t settle for less than we deserve. While the feelings of isolation and loneliness were amplified amongst single people that were living alone, it also gave them a moment to reflect on what they really wanted in a relationship and allowed them the opportunity to take it slow with any new dates that they met.

Fast-forward six months and despite lockdowns being an awful nightmare from the past, it seems playing the long game is here to stay. From socially distanced walks in the park to drive-in movies, date ideas that became all the rage in the pandemic are still amongst some of the favourites for that all important first date.

And it’s not just the dates that are taking on a slower pace. Before the pandemic dating was done with high speed and efficiency in mind. From the moment you ‘matched’, it was a race against time to meet in person and figure out what the person was actually like. But now, a slower pace has taken hold. People are choosing to date slowly and spend time getting to know someone gradually before making a decision on whether they are the right person for them.

The result?

Stronger, more trusting, and longer-lasting relationships.

Commitment is the new must-have accessory

Interest in casual flings and one-night stands are lower than they have been in a long time, with single people across all ages readjusting their focus to find that long-term, committed relationship over settling for a short-term fling.

Dating and relationships became a much bigger priority for single people worldwide following the restrictions forced upon them in the last two years and unlike our uncertainty of what is going to happen with the pandemic, one thing we do know for certain is that love and relationships are firmly back in style.

If you are single and looking for that special someone to build a future with, then get in touch with our friendly team today. Our expert matchmakers are ready and waiting to make sure that 2022 is the start of a new adventure on your road to love and happily ever after.

When it comes to the search for true love, everyone dreams of that happily ever after. Whether you meet online, through friends or enlist the help of a matchmaking agency, a life-long partner who shares your values, aspirations and lifestyle is the ultimate goal. But is there a way to help determine the long-term success of the relationship before it starts?

The honest answer is no. After all, every person is different with their own unique experiences, traits, attachment styles and outlooks. However, statistically speaking the way that you meet your partner could shine a little light on the long-term success of the relationship.  

Algorithms don’t always equal success

When online dating was the new kid on the block, there was a huge flurry of success stories. From friends to colleagues and even parents, everyone seemed to be meeting online and finding success. But fast forward to today and the number of successes seem to be dwindling, replaced with stories of scams and nightmare dates.

When you’re looking for a long-term partner, someone you can share a genuine connection with, dating apps can be a real let down. Using sparse databases, loosely fitting criteria and vague algorithms to help you find your match, online dating takes the human element out of the matching process and reinforces the need for luck. And lots of it!

And that’s not all. A recent study by the Marriage Foundation found that couples who met and started a relationship through an online dating app or website are six times more likely to get divorced in the first three years of marriage than those who met more organically through people they know and trust.

Once the shock of the statistic sinks in and you really think about it, it’s understandable why this might be the case.

From complete strangers to relative strangers

Often when couples meet online, they are doing so as complete strangers. They have no mutual friends and no shared experiences, making the gathering of reliable information about the long-term character of the person you are dating or marrying quite difficult. Add to this the fact that the wider social connections between families and friends must form from scratch, compared to those that have been established for years and even decades in some cases, and you are already at a disadvantage and at risk of making a hasty mistake.

It takes approximately two years minimum to really get to know someone. The first year, the relationship is new. You both work hard on continuing to impress each other and showcase why you are a good match and the idea of what the relationship could be like in the future.

Then, as time goes by and you spend more time together, their traits and behaviours will start to show more. When you get closer to the second year, you’ll notice patterns occurring in their behaviour, little quirks that at first seemed quite small but over time seem to grow bigger and bigger. This is usually when you hit the fight or flight period in the relationship.

It is during this stage that you evaluate your relationship. You will reflect on their character traits and determine whether they are small enough for you to accept and move forward into the next phase of the relationship or whether it is time to pull the plug.

Unfortunately, according to the statistics a large portion of those opt for the latter.

Can you increase your chances of happily ever after?

With everything in life, there are no certainties. No agency or dating app can guarantee that you will find love and live happily ever after but there are ways to increase your chances.

If finding someone organically through your family, friendship or social circles is a no go, turning to an elite matchmaking agency may be a much more effective way to find true love. From the moment that you join, an expert matchmaker will guide you through every step of your journey. They will spend time getting to know who you are and what is important to you in a partner before writing your profile and searching for that special person.  

Unlike database matching agencies and online apps, they don’t rely on algorithms to find the perfect match. Instead, they use intuition, expertise and that all important human touch to find a life partner that shares the same values, aspirations and lifestyle as you. By taking the time to understand what you are looking for and ensuring that you have the necessary support around you to embark on your dating journey, you are more likely to achieve that ultimate goal of a long-term committed relationship.

If you are single and looking for a more effective way to date, then get in touch with our friendly team of expert matchmakers who are ready to help you take that first step to success today.

Every year it happens. The seasons change, the nights get colder and darker and single people everywhere start that hunt to settle down. Just like our furry counterparts, Autumn brings with it a sense of urgency to find comfort and solace in hibernating with someone else rather than going it alone.

As Summer draws to a close, single people worldwide trade in their swimsuits, sangria and single life for cuddles on the sofa and exchanging Christmas presents with their families. For anyone that’s had to endure that pitiful look from your relatives as you turn up for another holiday alone, it’s easy to see the attraction of ‘cuffing up’ for Winter.

But, despite the growing number of single people that aim to settle down just for cuffing season, it’s important to remember that a partner is for life not just for Christmas.

Long-term commitment is this season’s must-have accessory

While settling down may be something stereotypically expected of those over the age of 40, it seems the younger generation are getting in on the action too with over half of them seriously looking for that long-term commitment over casual dating or seeing where it goes this season.

Whether the change of heart comes from re-evaluation of what’s important after almost two years of broken dating (or non-existent in some cases) during the pandemic or the simple fact that life is too short to not go after what you want, it seems long-term commitment is this season’s must-have accessory.

So, if you’re single and considering the option of ‘cuffing up’ for Winter, here’s three reasons why you should ditch the trend and focus on that long-term commitment sooner rather than later. 

Playing the long game has paved the way for dating success

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it taught us to slow down and really appreciate the little things in life. From those long telephone conversations or FaceTime calls to the leisurely strolls around the park, for the last couple of years we have taken the time to really get to know potential partners and discover whether they are right for us.

The result? Stronger and longer-lasting relationships. So, ignore the hype and the rush to settle down for fear of being alone, and instead focus on developing those relationships and nurturing them and no doubt you will have a solid foundation for a long-term, successful relationship that is sure to outlive the colder months.

Work smarter, not harder

If you’ve ever experienced dating burnout, you’ll understand how draining it can be to waste time making mundane conversation with people that just aren’t right for you. So why do we do it? While there is some truth in the fact that dating is a numbers game and the more people you meet, the more likely you are to find the one. You also need to be searching in the right places.

If the dating app or avenue you’re using doesn’t have the right type of person, it doesn’t matter how many people you meet, you’re never going to find the one – as soon as the weather starts warming and you’ll be saying goodbye to your winter romance. Instead of wasting your time, scrolling through unsuitable matches to the point of burnout think about what is important to you in a partner. If you work backwards from the vision of your ideal partner, you’ll be able to identify the best channel for you to find them and give your dating journey a renewed focus that is more aligned to what you are really looking for and that goal of a long-term, committed relationship.

Time doesn’t stand still for no-one

While that familiar ticking of the biological clock is not as urgent as it used to be – thanks in no small part to the amazing developments in science that we now have – time doesn’t just stop and the longer you leave it to find that person, the less time you have to spend with them and achieve all that you have planned for your future.

Given the choice, would you rather spend your time with someone that could shape up to be your happily ever after or someone who is realistically only going to be around for a few months at most, leaving you to restart your search when the warmer months roll round and increasing your chances of déjà vu when cuffing season comes back around in 2022?

Time is going to pass by anyway, so instead of wasting it looking for happiness in all the wrong places, give your dating journey the devotion it deserves now and we’re sure you’ll reap the rewards in the not-so-distant future.

If you’re single and fed up of putting your energy into relationships that have no real future, get in touch with our friendly team of expert matchmakers who are on hand to help you find a partner for life, not just for Christmas.

It’s a myth, universally accepted that matchmaking is for the over 40s. But contrary to belief, the younger generation are now taking their love lives into their own hands and turning to matchmakers to find their life partner.

Gone are the days when your twenties and thirties were all about having fun and living frivolously, while there are some that still live by this approach, an increasing number of young people are calling quits on the timewasters and non-committal hook-ups available through online dating apps.

Whether it is the evaluation and realisation brought about by the pandemic or simply growing tired of the labour-intensive scrolling and small talk on apps, singletons in their late twenties and thirties are placing a higher importance on finding that one and settling down.

And it’s not really that surprising when you investigate it in more detail.

Think about it, if you’re a woman in your mid to late twenties and are wanting children, a year and a half taken out of your life plan can be quite a significant amount of time. While evidence has shown that women are perfectly capable of having children into their forties, it still seems that the ticking of that biological clock is pushing people to find those matches sooner rather than later – or even forcing their hand on preserving their fertility, through embryo freezing.

But it’s not just biology. In the not so distant past when you were asked about what you wanted to do in the future, your twenties and thirties usually consisted of a flurry of short-term jobs and gap years, as you discover yourself and what you really want to do with your life.

However, now in the advent of the university generation, people are starting to get serious about their careers early on. From the moment they leave university, they have a career path in mind and have already made those first steps towards making it happen.

And the same can be said for those who prefer the school of life route. These days everywhere you look there seems to be young entrepreneurs building and growing their own businesses. Whether they’re launching their own independent business or investing in a franchise, professional success is high on people’s agendas from a younger age so, by the time they hit their late twenties and early thirties they’re already on their way to success in their professional lives and looking for that same success in their personal lives.

So, how can a matchmaker help if you’re under 40?

Dating in your twenties and thirties, is full of possibilities. By this stage, you may have already concluded what you are looking for in your dream partner – or at the very least worked out exactly what you don’t want. But if you haven’t that’s ok, as your very own dedicated matchmaker will work with you to identify the things that are important to you. 

By working with a matchmaker, they take the hard work out of dating for you so you can focus on the other areas of your life that matter. They will do all the groundwork to get to know who you are and what you are looking for, before searching for that person through a whole array of avenues.

Another huge benefit of using a matchmaker is that they will run ID checks. Sadly, apps like Tinder have become a prime location for fraudulent accounts and cybercriminals looking to scam the unsuspecting and vulnerable. Not only this but with no ID checks, people can be whoever they want to be – even if that means they tell some big lies in the process.

At Ignite Dating we run ID checks and check everyone’s digital footprint to make sure every individual you meet is legitimate and is who they say they are. This gives you an increased sense of security and means you aren’t going to be disappointed by meeting someone who isn’t as expected.

They also offer advice and guidance to support you every step of your dating journey, from that first phone call through to that first date and into the relationship, taking away the mystery and the ghosting and instead providing you with a dating environment that will leave you feeling safe, confident and energised.

If you’re in your late twenties or thirties and have grown tired of the online apps and looking for a more prescriptive way to date, then get in touch with our friendly team today. With their expert help and guidance, they can support you on your quest to find that long-term committed relationship you’re looking for.

With the clocks going back this weekend and the nights drawing in, cuffing season is well and truly upon us. It’s a well-known fact that when the colder months set in, we automatically look for comfort – from home cooked stews and casseroles to cosy nights in – and if you’re single, that search for comfort may lead you into the arms of a partner, but for all the wrong reasons.

Cuffing refers to the idea of getting ‘handcuffed’ or tied down to one partner during the colder months, even if usually an exclusive relationship is not on their cards. While there is the possibility that your autumnal date will go the distance, if you or your potential partner are only dating to fill the void, when the warmer months roll around it is likely to spell the end of your brief romance.

So, how can you tell if your new relationship is real or just for the season?

As with any dating scenario, there are signs to look out for to help you determine whether you’ve been ‘cuffed’, for example:

• Any future plans do not extend beyond the winter months
• You are contacted out of the blue in the run up to the holiday season and this is followed up by a sense of urgency to make it official
• Dates are rare or even non-existent and they seem to prefer to spend time cosied up at home, just the two of you
• The person is emotionally unavailable, lacking in deeper conversations or desire for emotional connection
• Their dating record is full of short relationships that only last during the winter months

How do you avoid falling into the trap of cuffing season?

Communication is key

Too often when it comes to relationships, one person is more invested in the relationship than the other and this can cause major problems during cuffing season – particularly when both parties are on different pages. Once you notice those tell-tale signs that you are falling for the other person, make sure to have the chat about where you see it going. If they admit that they are not looking for something serious then don’t assume that a short fling over winter will change their mind, because the chances are you will develop strong feelings and end up getting hurt.

Take it slow

One of the biggest tell-tale signs of cuffing season is someone’s haste to get tied down and make things exclusive. Don’t let the worry of spending the upcoming holiday season alone tint your outlook on how you feel about that person and where you see the relationship going. While having someone for the winter months may seem like a good thing in the short-term (after all who hasn’t had those thoughts that it would be better to be with someone than alone), coupling up with someone who just isn’t right for you for the sake of banishing loneliness is likely to land you in a messy situation further down the line.

Set healthy boundaries

If you have found yourself in an autumn romance and it’s showing the signs of a cuffing situationship, don’t panic! Many people struggle with setting healthy boundaries, but the only person you have to answer to is you. So, if you are not on board with a short-term fling, let them know. That way, you can focus your energy on finding the relationship that you are really looking for instead of wasting your time and feelings on something that is doomed from the start.

Rely on the support of those around you

Loneliness can be hard but starting a relationship so you don’t have to be alone is even harder. Make time for your friends and family and the activities that you enjoy to ease some of that loneliness and boredom and distract you from your single status. After all, how many times have you heard people say that they found love when they stopped looking for it?

If finding someone is still high on your radar, then why not enlist the help of the professionals? By joining a dating agency, you will have access to a dedicated matchmaker who will be there to support you every step of the way and work closely with you to find that person that you have been looking for. Taking the mystery and time wasting out of dating, you can be sure that those you are introduced to are looking for that long-term, committed relationship that you have in your heart. 

If you are single and looking for a way to avoid the perils of cuffing season, then get in touch with our friendly team today, where are expert matchmakers are ready to help you find a loving relationship that lasts beyond the winter.