episode 82 - the *good* games women play in dating

In this episode, Meag and Nicole discuss their recent dating experiences and share the games they play with themselves to make dating more enjoyable and sustainable. They talk about the importance of maintaining momentum, being open to meeting new people, and not putting too much pressure on finding a future partner. They also discuss the mindset shift of treating dating apps as a way to go on first dates rather than finding a long-term partner. Other topics include the benefits of talking to multiple people at once, setting boundaries with texting, and viewing matches on dating apps as Tamagotchis. In this conversation, Meagan and Nicole discuss various strategies and techniques for navigating the early stages of dating, including when to save someone's name in your phone, using the archive feature in messaging apps, creating an 'ick list' to manage expectations, and practicing self-care before and after dates. They also emphasize the importance of listening to your intuition and setting boundaries. The conversation is filled with humor and relatable anecdotes, making it an enjoyable and informative listen. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 03:02 Maintaining Momentum and Enjoying the Dating Process 08:26 Treating Dating Apps as a Tool for First Dates 14:26 Talking to Multiple People to Identify Preferences 18:08 Viewing Matches on Dating Apps as Tamagotchis 20:18 Navigating the Early Stages of Dating 22:20 The Power of the Archive Feature 24:31 Managing Expectations with the 'Ick List' 27:16 Pre-Date Self-Care Rituals 35:33 Listening to Your Intuition and Setting Boundaries Takeaways Maintaining momentum and being open to meeting new people can make dating more enjoyable and successful. Treating dating apps as a way to go on first dates rather than finding a long-term partner can help alleviate pressure. Talking to multiple people at once can provide a point of comparison and help identify personal preferences. Setting boundaries with texting can help maintain sanity and prevent anxious attachment. Viewing matches on dating apps as Tamagotchis can make the process more fun and gamified. Timing of saving someone's name in your phone can vary depending on the person and the connection Using the archive feature in messaging apps can help manage expectations and reduce anxiety Creating an 'ick list' can provide a reality check and help maintain perspective Practicing self-care before and after dates can help boost confidence and manage nerves Listening to your intuition and setting boundaries are key in dating