One of the current dilemmas in the dating world is where to meet eligible men. After looking for single men in my social circle and not finding any potential candidates, I did what practically every newly single person does: I joined the dating websites. In keeping with my overachieving self, I joined a few of them at once and posted several pictures of my and my dog. Next I had to write what who I was and what I am looking for in a mate. That was easy.
Then there were the questions about my current interests, activities, and hobbies.....
In my former life, I went skiing every weekend in the winter and traveled to a fun place once or twice a year. I was a member of a local book club, woman's club, gym, and ski club. I was an avid runner and ran local races on the weekends. I loved to cook in my nice big kitchen with my designerware baking pans. I took the dog hiking at local mountain trails. I shopped at the local malls weekly for new clothing, household items, and books to read. I went to movies and out to dinner with friends. I did a lot of things. Before. Not anymore.
Now I go to work for 12 to 20 hour shifts. In this slow economy, I must take any shift I can get. This often means I may work 10 hours per week or 60 hours per week. On my days off, I get up early to keep a regular schedule. I watch the news and get on Facebook. Then I read business and personal emails. I log into a few veterinary websites and read the latest news on the message boards. Then I go back to Facebook. Maybe I will do a load of laundry. The rest of the day may consist of walking the dog, microwaving dinner, and watching a year old movie on DVD only to fall asleep half way though. Once a week, I balance my checkbook, order needed books and supplies, network for new employment, and pay bills. I attempt to read a fiction book per month. I have started several books to only get through the first few chapters.
Meanwhile, the guys on the dating websites were participating in many interesting hobbies and having awesome life experiences. They are traveling to cool places, riding their motorcycles, and sailing their boats. Some guys snowskied while others claimed to waterski. Others read books, attended concerts, and visited museums. They posted pictures of the places they visited. They posted pictures of themselves doing their cool hobbies. They seemed to be having fun lives while I was just working, walking the dog, and sleeping.
My current workaholic self would not make an interesting person to date. What would I have to talk about except veterinary medicine and Facebook? Why wasn't I having a fun life anymore? I decided that it was time to shut off the computer and get back into life!
I took the dog hiking in a State Park for a few days to get some fresh air and contemplate hobbies and activities that I wanted to add to my life. I love to ski so I went on a ski vacation and became a ski instructor at a local mountain. I started running again and joined a gym. I went to Chicago and took a boat tour of the city. I traveled to attend veterinary conventions and also spend time out of the lecture rooms to sightsee. I forced myself to log off Facebook during lunch breaks and read a fiction book instead. I let the laundry pile up and went to the theatre to see a current movie. I didn't make it camping or to the beach this year, but there is always next year.
Now when updating my profile on the dating websites, I can list a few hobbies that I truly enjoy and actually do on a regular basis. A sincere "thank you" to all the men on the dating websites for listing all those fun hobbies and life experiences. You may not have winked back at me or answered my 5 questions, but you have done so much more for me. You gave me the jumpstart to get a new life!
