Experts Warn That New Dating Trend 'Carouselling' Is Creating An Anxiety Trap

By maks in Relationships On 12th October 2024
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Dating can feel like a real challenge sometimes, but experts are now warning that many people might be unknowingly adding to their own anxiety in the process.

It seems like everyone has their own "foolproof" advice for how to date, and they often make it sound like the easiest thing in the world to navigate.

And while that might be true for some people, others don’t find it so simple.

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Whether it’s because of poor choices or just plain bad luck, dating can be anything but easy for a lot of people.

Now, a new dating term is making waves, and it turns out that many people might be doing it without even realizing.

The term is called 'carouselling', and despite the name, it has nothing to do with the merry-go-rounds you’re used to seeing at carnivals.

Experts have warned against texting for too long ahead of the first meet Getty Stock Image
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According to dating experts, this trend is causing anxiety to spike for single people, whether they’re meeting people through social media, dating apps, or in person.

'Carouselling' refers to the endless cycle of messaging back and forth that singles often get stuck in, and it only makes first-date nerves worse when they finally meet up face-to-face.

A report from *The Mirror* shared findings from research by a new dating app, FindingTheOne.com, which focuses on in-person connections.

The research shows that 77 percent of people feel more anxious the longer they spend chatting online before meeting for the first time in real life.

And let’s be honest, many of us are probably guilty of this. We spend too much time trying to get to know someone over our phones instead of in person.

This can lead to building them up too much in our heads, getting the wrong impression, and ultimately setting ourselves up for disappointment when a real-life meeting happens.

Sylvia Linzalone, a dating expert from the app, has shed more light on this growing issue.

Experts have warned texting for long before meets is fueling an anxiety trap Getty Stock Image

She explained that dragging out conversations over messaging is creating what she calls an 'anxiety trap', making the whole dating experience much more stressful than it needs to be.

She said: "The longer they stay on the messaging carousel, the more daunting the idea of the meeting becomes, and it's fueling unnecessary anxiety. Meeting sooner means less pressure and less anxiety. It lets you see if there's a real connection in the real world, where it actually matters."

According to a study conducted by Finding The One, 83 percent of 1,500 participants said they would prefer to meet in person within a week of matching, but they often 'feel pressured to continue messaging' instead.

At the same time, the research found that many people hesitate to suggest meeting up too soon because they’re afraid of coming across as 'too eager' or 'pushy'.

In the end, the best approach is to go with what feels right for you.

Finding a way to date without all the added anxiety should always be the goal.