Dating sucks. Can I get an amen?

Dating sucks. Can I get an amen?! I have a ton of amazing, badass, sexy as hell friends (both guys and gals!) that are also single as hell, and time and again, I find myself having the same conversation with them. Dating sucks. Here are just a few of the reasons that make it harder for me and my wandering tribe to date:

-Our self awareness is something we pride ourselves on, and the more you know yourself, the more you know exactly what you want…and don’t want in a partner. That makes it harder to date.

-The very trait in us that makes us love the open road and drives us to continually seek untamed places is also the trait that makes it more difficult than normal for us to form connections and affection quickly. That makes it harder to date.

-Crazy schedules that are jam-packed with fitting in as many adventures as possible can make prioritizing time to meet up with another basic stranger for coffee or drinks pretty hard to do. Speaking for myself, I’m often booked a few months out with travel and other commitments. That makes it harder to date.

-As if all of that isn’t enough, now let’s talk about the fact that just finding someone that thrives in dirty places, sleeping on the ground for several nights in a row, skipping showers, and eating food that only needs hot water added is a daunting task all on its own. That makes it harder to date.

-Perhaps most difficult is the contradiction that lives in many of us. A desire to travel, to experience the sunrise in a new location every day, to lay our heads under the stars as often as possible…coupled with a level of maturity that knows the value of stability and having a life and home to go back to between travels. Finding someone that understands and values the balancing act between these two is a rare thing. That makes it harder to date.

-Last, and definitely not least, is the monumental task of just having the opportunity to meet someone new. I get comments all the time regarding how someone is certain that I meet tons of guys given my lifestyle and work life. Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It’s just not realistic to think that people stop on the side of a trail in passing, connect over a great 2 minute conversation, take the step to exchange contact info, and then reconnect later over a drinks. While that would be amazing and romantic and something to strive for, it just doesn’t happen that way. That makes it harder to date.

So dating sucks. And I think it’s ok to talk about it openly. And if you know badass people that are single, introduce them. Talk up your friends and let others know how amazing and ridiculously single they are. You never know who is listening and looking. And don’t be surprised if you get a random invite to join on an adventure with me and someone you don’t know that I seem to think is really great. Odds are that I think you’re both amazing and am just trying to help the universe along by connecting you together in the wilderness! Maybe a group backpacking trip like this one this winter???

I’m sure that my wanderlust friends that I’ve had these conversations with and others will have things to add to this list, so feel free to comment with what I’m missing. And if you’re awesome and single, be sure I know so I can keep you in mind for all of my amazing friends out there that are shockingly single.