Zero to 60 in 5 seconds

So, it’s been five days since I began dating online.

I am so overwhelmed.

Something about me that I should add here is that although I'm 25, I haven't had the opportunity to date as much as my peers. The thing that had held me back were my decisions to travel and never be in one place for too long. That lifestyle didn't really leave much room for anything else, and while I loved it at the time, I have no desire to live that life anymore.

So, what has happened so far?

Day one was spent creating a profile, which took me forever to do. It's awkward talking about yourself on a dating platform. I'm used to simply being asked and figured out, not putting it all out there. So like me, I ended up writing a book and shortened it down, haha. I want people to have an idea of me, not feel like they know me. That's not the point of online dating to me. The point is to simply contact people you think you could possibly have something with, chat briefly online to see if that may be true (and make sure they don't screw up, haha), and then meet in person to see what’s real.

I'm coming to find out people aren't that straightforward, haha.

After I set up my profile, and only six days later, I have messaged 14 guys—six of whom I have contacted first.

Zero to 60 in 5 seconds!

Of those 14, I am interested in eight and a half, haha. I say a half because I smell bullshit on one of them, haha. I’ve given my number to five of them.

I’m overwhelmed because I’m totally not used to talking to so many people at one time, dating or otherwise. I’m so used to being in my own bubble, living at my own pace, without any real consideration of other people (as single-minded and selfish as that sounds). I keep a small circle of friends and its takes a special connection for me to let someone in that circle. People are great, but I just take the word “friendship” seriously.

Because of this, and the fact that I’m a straight-to-the-point kind of girl, I don’t really want to message you back and forth for a prolonged period of time without even meeting you. The internet is a strange place. It makes people think they know each other when they don’t. Some people feel more comfortable with an emotional boundary. Others might not even want to meet you, but just flirt online. 

And some just want to exchange dirty pictures. Aw hell nah.

All of things of which I’m not into. If I haven’t met you personally, I’m not going to play internet girlfriend. I’m definitely looking for a real connection, and emotion is a part of the package. Some people are afraid of that, and I understand why, but that’s not how I live. And I’m not the type of girl to send dirty pictures either, even if I do know you! Haha.

So there’s W, J, Jo, T, and D. Those are the guys who have my number and who have texted me. Of those five, D has pleased me the most. Why?

Well, his profile made me laugh from the beginning, and I’m a huge sucker for someone with a good sense of humor. It gets me every time.

I contacted him first. Honestly, I wasn’t extremely attracted to him by looking at his picture but something made me click on his name. He looked ok, no big deal. But once I read his profile, I knew I had to send him a message. He’s very funny, writes well, and seems to be quite intelligent. 

The line that got me was… well, ahem, I was going to write it here, but wow, this is an interesting turn of events.

I typed what he said in google and decided to look it up to make sure it wouldn’t lead back to his page, for his privacy.

Welp, turns out there have been a lot of people posting that SAME EXACT LINE on other dating websites. It’s even on Reddit as “Best Hooks.” Best freaking HOOKS!

Wow, I feel like a jackass. ::sigh::

We have a date this Saturday night. 

We’re supposed to get coffee.

Haha, he wasn’t even the one I smelled bullshit on!! But welcome to online dating, Jasmine. Ha!

Interesting. I’m still going to meet him, because based on his messages so far, I think he is actually funny, and those were texts. Unless he’s right by his playbook as he’s texting me, I believe his quippy one-liners were from him. But I don’t like that his line from his profile was taken from somewhere else. And it’s on freaking Reddit! Not a good look. Makes me feel like a pawn, and that is one thing I am not.

I’m glad I found out though, because that’s some serious leverage. I may bring it up, I may not.

There are so many more stories to tell but I think I’m going to end it here for the day, lol.

Until next time! I can tell this is going to be quite the adventure.