A relationship expert has revealed the top dating trends of the past 12 months, and the toxic habits you need to avoid in 2023 if you want to find the one.
Matchmaker and Louanne Ward, from Perth, said while 2022 was all about dating locally, going on coffee dates and getting to know someone slowly, the next year will be very different with travel restrictions having eased and men and women looking further afield in order to find their match.
‘A new year means a new start with dating trends, and this year we’re happily saying goodbye to some overdone dating trends and behaviours,’ Louanne told FEMAIL.
Perth relationship expert Louanne Ward (pictured) has revealed the top dating trends of the past 12 months, and the toxic habits you need to avoid in 2023 if you want to find the one
Louanne said one of the first trends that needs to be left behind this year is the coffee date (stock image), which has become a ‘drag’ due to daters failing to connect
THE 2022 TRENDS TO LEAVE BEHIND THIS YEAR
The coffee date
The first 2022 trend Louanne said should be left in 2022 is the coffee date.
‘Who wants to spend 20 minutes queueing for a coffee that takes 20 minutes to drink?’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Coffee dates have provided the opportunity to check someone out and see if there is any attraction.
‘Daters fail to connect, and the coffee date has become a drag.’
Expensive dinners
Louanne said expensive dinner dates will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to the rising cost of living which means dating has got 40 per cent more expensive over the past decade.
‘Singles will likely be more frugal in 2023 as they seek to meet more people without having to spend big,’ Louanne said.
A walk or a free experience is likely to replace dinner as a good first date option.
Highly filtered photos
‘In 2023, all we want is authenticity,’ Louanne said.
‘That means waving goodbye to overly filtered dating photos and edited profiles.’
The dating expert recommends daters delete their Face Tune and editing apps and start posting real pictures.
Slow dating
In the post-lockdown era of 2022, rusty daters often took it slowly and took their time getting to know someone so they could see if it was more than just a date.
But Louanne said that the new approach of ‘one at a time and letting things unfold has lost its appeal’.
‘More people are fast-tracking the stages of a budding relationship,’ Louanne said.
Sticking to a type
‘Emerging from the post-Covid fog, we’ve all changed in one way or another, and maybe our type has too,’ Louanne said.
In 2023, she said you can expect daters to ditch their traditional ‘type’ and instead open themselves up to ‘more of the dating pool and more experiences’.
Louanne (pictured) said there is no longer any need to look in the backyard for someone to date when the world is back and ‘full of possibilities’
Dating local
Finally, Louanne said there is no longer any need to look in the backyard for someone to date when the world is back and ‘full of possibilities’.
‘Search perimeters are becoming broader, and travel restrictions aren’t holding us back,’ she explained.
‘Being close isn’t a big enough reason to settle.’
THE 2023 GOOD AND BAD DATING TRENDS TO EXPECT
Going back to an ex
Whether you think it’s a good or a bad idea, returning to a former flame is expected to be a big trend in 2023, Louanne said, after 50 per cent of surveyed Britons found the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
‘Some 28 per cent said they have too much history with their ex to let go entirely, while 51 per cent said unresolved issues made them want to give it another go,’ Loaunne said.
Reverse catfishing
While many people have spent the past year or so in dating doing something called ‘catfishing’ – where they upload filtered flattering photos to lure suitors – the reverse is going to take hold in 2023.
‘Reverse catfishing is the new trend where singles upload only the most unflattering photos of themselves to attract people who like their personality,’ Loaunne said.
Guard railing
2023 will be all about ‘guard railing’ – or setting boundaries in your relationships to make sure someone doesn’t overstep.
’63 per cent of daters say they’re more explicit about emotional needs and boundaries, and 59 per cent are more thoughtful and intentional about how they put themselves out there, with 53 per cent aiming not to over socialise,’ Louanne said.
The dating expert said we can expect to say farewell to highly filtered photos in 2023, as people seek to be more authentic with their dating (stock image)
180-dating
Daters will be taking inspiration from the likes of Kim Kardashian and Pete Davison in dating and embracing something called 180-dating.
‘Rebounding from a recent breakup by starting a relationship with a younger unexpected partner will become a thing in 2023,’ Louanne said.
Click-baeing
One of the more negative dating trends we will be seeing in 2023 is ‘click-baeing’.
‘Click-baeing means a habitual swiper who continually swipes though dating profiles rather than engaging in conversation,’ Louanne said.
’58 per cent of click-baeing singles reported more success in dating after extending their matches past their usual type.’
Main character energy
2023 will be all about main character energy, or focusing on yourself instead of wasting time on people who don’t meet your standards or needs.
‘With so many singles sick of investing their time and energy into the wrong people, many have realised they’re also not prepared to change someone to meet their expectations,’ Louanne said.
Louanne (pictured) explained that if you want to date successfully in 2023, you should do away with your typical ‘type’ and instead ‘open cast’ around and date outside your type
HOW TO DATE SUCCESSFULLY IN 2023
Finally, Louanne shared her top tips for dating successfully in the new year and she said it’s all about being open to what might come your way.
‘It’s time to do away with the tall, dark and handsome type,’ she said.
‘Unlike type casting, which revolves around having a physical “type”, 38 per cent of singles are starting to “open cast” and date outside of their type.’
She also said many singles are addressing their love-life balance, after the way we view and value work has changed over the past few years.
‘More people are feeling burnt out and seeking rest. This behaviour is bleeding into dating, with 13 per cent saying they want to avoid dating someone with a demanding job,’ Louanne said.
‘Broaden your horizons and consider travelling out of the city to meet a potential partner,’ Louanne said.
‘You should also always seek to discuss your finances as it’s no longer a taboo subject.’
Finally, try and stand out both in real life and on the apps by being yourself and taking time to learn about someone else too.
‘Be specific. Give someone a showreel of the real you,’ Louanne said.
‘Positivity and empathy go a long way. Listen, ask questions where appropriate and show interest in what someone is saying. That is the key to successful dating.’
To find out more about Louanne Ward, you can visit her website here.
