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A word from Jay Shetty, Match’s Relationship Advisor.

There are more ways than ever to meet someone, and yet here we are, disillusioned and struggling to find the one. That’s why I’m partnering with Match to rethink what it means to date right now — and how to approach it from a whole new perspective.

Take the pressure off that first date and focus on the conversation. Know your values and be curious about theirs. It’s okay to be vulnerable and ask deeper questions. To be more present, show up as your most authentic self and pay attention to the little things.

Take the first step with my Core Values Quiz below. Once you discover your top three values, add them to your Match profile to connect with others on a deeper level.

 

Confidence

Feeling good inside and out is an essential first step to finding your person.

Openness

When you ease up on judgment, you open yourself up to even more possibilities.

Authenticity

The truer you are to yourself in the process, the truer your connections will be.

Curiosity

Noticing the little things and asking questions can lead to beautiful discoveries.

Active Dates

From hiking to rock climbing, choose dates that enable deeper connection.

Keep your core values close.

“Core values are things that matter most to us, and can guide us in who we want to be and be with.” — Jay

Take the quiz

Are weekly family dinners a non-negotiable for you? Is implicit trust a bigger deal after past relationships? Do you want a partner who prioritizes ambition as much as you?

We made it easy to put this thought exercise into action with our NEW Core Values feature. Choose what you value most, and add it to your profile. If someone else shares at least one core value with you, we’ll let you know and encourage you to start a conversation.

After all, 93% of Match members say that shared core values are a crucial indicator of relationship success.

Active First Date Ideas

The best type of first date to deepen connection.

Go on a hike together
Explore a museum, top to bottom
Take a stroll in the park
Reach new heights with rock climbing
A long dog walk
Kayak at the local water feature
Bike around and sightsee
Participate in a charity walk or 5K
Make your mark with an archery class
A trip to the farmer’s market
Learn how to hang ten with a surf lesson
Try out a golf simulator
Bowl a few rounds
Bring out your inner kid and head to a carnival or fair
Volunteer at a cause you both care about
Get your adrenaline going with go-karting
Check out a local billiard hall
Hit the slopes and go skiing or snowboarding
Test your skills at an obstacle course or ropes course
Go skating (ice in winter, roller all year round)
Explore an aquarium or zoo
Show your strength with axe throwing
Play a few rounds of tennis (regular or table!)
Explore a food truck crawl

Get another

Your weekly dating mantra.
The best relationships are where you forgot to take pictures and then wish you both had.
If you're in a situation where you have to pretend to be someone you're not to make it work, it's time to go.
If you want a good relationship, don't have high expectations. Have intentions, actions and habits.
People who make you feel small will never be a big part of your life.
Every relationship will end if you don't work on making it last. Relationships end because effort ends, tolerance ends, patience ends.
You make someone less of them by trying to make them more like you. And that destroys relationships.
Receiving love is hard when you don't already give it to yourself.
Hold on to the person who hears you when you're silent and sees you when you're hiding and understands when you're confused.
Bad times show you who the great people are in your life.
Loving someone to make yourself feel good is chasing validation. Loving someone to make them feel good is giving affection.
The best relationships are where you forgot to take pictures and then wish you both had.
The right person will reduce drama. The wrong person will increase trauma.
How they show you they love you is more important than how they say they love you.
Make sure they're with you for who you are, not for who they want you to be.
Relationships have taught me not to undervalue communication, not to overvalue kindness and let trust build over time.
Loving someone when they're thriving is easy. Loving them when they're struggling is real
Hear from real-life Match couples.
Maiya & Josh

When Josh liked me on the app, I almost didn’t give him a chance — he had no bio and only 3-4 pictures. What I did notice was his smile and kind eyes. From a glimpse of his linked IG, I could tell he was active in his faith and passionate about social justice. So I sent a message!

Dennis & Jillian

I knew Jillian in high school but she did not know me. We matched with each other and I sent the first message, but she left me on read. I waited a few days and sent another message telling what a huge crush I had on her in school. She said “Aww” and asked me on a date.

Amy & Robert

We connected within 24 hours and talked endlessly about our values, dreams, and life experiences. We both knew this was something we wanted to pursue, and we had the pandemic to build our love in a cocoon. We found a best friend in one another!