We need to talk about how you’re dating.

Let’s be real: somewhere between overanalyzing job titles on Hinge, planning imaginary weddings with someone you matched with three days ago and asking “what are you looking for?” 13 minutes into a first date, you forgot how to have fun. Dating turned into a checklist, not a chance to connect. You started dating like a real estate agent. And honestly? You’re not alone.

Think about it. Really think about it. You’re walking into every date like it’s a property inspection.

• Do they have long-term potential?

• Can I raise kids here?

• What’s their five-year plan and credit score?

• How many emotional support water bottles do they own?

As we step into summer, it's time to stop dating like a real estate agent. You're not here to close the deal. You're not a dating app property manager trying to inspect every emotional foundation for cracks. You’re here to meet people, explore energy, and maybe fall in love a little—or at the very least, fall into a great cocktail and a story worth texting your group chat about.

Let me introduce you to a better way…dating like a tourist.

Tourists don't walk around asking cities to justify their long-term investment value. They wander. They get curious. They say yes to the unknown. They eat dessert first. They try weird local drinks and ask strangers for directions—and honestly? That’s exactly how dating should feel.

Instead of checking boxes, you chase chemistry and connection. Instead of worrying whether they went to a “good” school, you're wondering if they can make you laugh so hard your margarita comes out your nose. You’re not trying to own anything—you’re just trying to enjoy it.

Tourist dating means trying places you wouldn’t normally go. Saying yes to the dive bar, the beach picnic, the weird little art gallery date. It means showing up for the experience, not the outcome. You’re not locking anything down—you’re living. You’re tasting. You’re exploring the person in front of you.

It also means ditching the infamous “list.” You know the one—tall, funny, employed, emotionally literate, drives a Subaru. But here’s the thing: tourists don’t travel with spreadsheets. They travel with curiosity. And some of the best adventures come from saying yes to something—or someone—you never saw coming.

Also, I must stress that this doesn’t mean you’re unserious. Far from it. It means you’re intentional about being present first, and letting everything else unfold from there. Because the best love stories usually don’t start with a checklist. They start with a moment.

And here’s the kicker: you’re actually more attractive when you’re not trying to evaluate someone’s long-term partner potential. You’re more magnetic when you’re engaged, when you're relaxed, when you're enjoying yourself. That’s the kind of energy people fall for.

So this summer, take the pressure off. Trade the contract for curiosity. You don’t need a floor plan—you need a spark.

Fall in love with a moment. Fall in love with someone’s laugh. Fall in love with not knowing what’s next.

Because the right person? They’ll feel less like a transaction—and more like a vacation you never want to end.

Until next time x