THE DATING PROJECT #23. GRAND FINALE
Hurrah, it’s official. Lou Lou and Man #10 are now an item. The Dating Project team are all totally thrilled and we have our fingers crossed for happily ever afters.
So that’s it folks. We have decided to go out on a high, calling an end to the Dating Project after 23 weeks of tracking the bumpy adventures of our three wonderful women. We’ve all got to know each other very well in this process and will really miss our regular phone calls and email conversations as we caught up on the latest dating news. Thanks to all of you who came along for the ride.
It’s been a blast and we’ve all learnt a lot – particularly about how tough it can be to put yourself out there.
Lou Lou, Astrid and Eloise were a real inspiration in their valiant attempts to turn their wishbones into a backbone. It takes guts and resilience to keep picking yourself up after being slapped down and our team showed that in spades.
It’s paid off for Lou Lou and we have high hopes that our other two will get there in the end. Rob and I will continue to be there, barracking from the sidelines when they are ready to have another go.
But now it’s your turn. We hope we have inspired many of you to get involved in internet dating and my coaching service is available to help you get started.
Here’s our super-excited, wildly boasting Lou Lou, with her final words of wisdom…
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy! I have a boyfriend! I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!! WORLD, I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!!
An actual living human being who won’t run for the hills, break out in a sweat, or collapse in the foetal position if I ever was to say, “Hey, everyone this is my boyfriend”.
He deftly takes the ‘boy’ out of boyfriend and bumps it up with unquestionable, indisputable, undeniable qualities of being a ‘man’.
Don’t worry, I’m not referring to a ‘man’s man’ here. There are no high fives or excessively loud burping, emotional constipation or a narrow-minded view of any food group that is not meat-related. I’m talking about a man who can tell me how he feels, who likes treating a woman well, and who can nurture, not quell a certain woman’s independence.
And guess what? I met him on the internet. Come on people. Look at me, I am giddily drunk on the Kool-Aid of Internet dating and the unexpected romance it brings.
Don’t you want to be one of those people too? Or would you like to think some more about it? That’s okay I won’t judge. I was one of those people too, remember? How long did it take to get my internet profile up, to kiss a guy, to go on a date? I was slower than Madonna’s aging process… It took a while, a long while.
So please accept my gentle nudges to get you not just over the line but more importantly online:
Gentle Nudge #1
As a single person wanting to meet someone in the real world, here’s how it is likely to unfold:
- You hook up with someone from work (Slightly problematic if it doesn’t work out. Plus you have to look hot 24/7)
- You meet someone in a bar (Slightly risky as you have beer or pinot grigio goggles to contend with the next day)
- You are set up on a blind date (Slightly corrosive to your ego when your friends set you up with a short, overweight bald man who can only talk about the merits of sourdough)
- You bump into someone in the supermarket, gym, or on the street… (Slightly delusional – when does that ever happen other than the movies??)
As you can see the options for meeting someone organically in the real world have their downsides. I’m not saying this can’t happen. I’m merely suggesting that internet dating might be a nice distraction while waiting for something magical in the real world.
Gentle Nudge #2
Get over the misconception that internet dating is littered with creeps and sex pests.
Reality check please in Aisle 7. The odd balls, serial gropers and clueless stalkers do not just exclusively operate online – they are everywhere! On the dance floor, by the bar, at your friend’s wedding, in the office… they know no boundaries. Their coverage is just as comprehensive as Telstra when it comes to establishing some form of connection with you. So I am vetoing this as a valid excuse.
Gentle Nudge #3
People who have already embarked on Internet dating rarely talk about this little gem… maybe it’s because they want to keep this ‘secret weapon’ to themselves.
Internet dating draws out your mojo. It can be as buried deep as Tom Cruise’s true self, but somehow internet dating effortlessly rekindles your sexy self.
How?
Well, after several online interactions, you remember that special little flutter that comes from a few flirty exchanges. You remember how it feels to receive a compliment and let it swell up inside you for a few days. You remember some of the best bits about being a woman – we are cheeky, saucy, sassy minxes!
I’m using my final words in The Dating Project to reach out to all you single folk who are considering taking the plunge and implore you to dive in.
If nothing else you will have great stories to tell. And you might just meet someone who takes you to the brink of blissfully falling in love… I’m referring to me by the way! Man #10 makes me feel something I haven’t felt in a long time. And it feels good. Scary, but good. I’m so happy I found him.
So what are you waiting for? Your dreamboat could be online now!
We’ve coaxed Astrid to take a break from her ongoing family drama and offer her goodbyes…
| Page 1 of 2 | next >> |
12 Responses to this article
-
Louisa October 12, 2012
Lou, Lou if you are not in some sort of marketing and communications role you should be. I will miss the way you have shared your story. Very best wishes to all.
-
The Huntress October 12, 2012
Eloise, so sorry for all your losses. I really hope you pull through and good luck when you ramp up the dating again.
Astrid, I hope you’re family is well and all the best when you hit the scene again. You are definitely worthy of love and I hope you meet the right man to do that for you.
Lou Lou, you are a star! A real live girlfriend now! Congratulations, I hope the happiness continues on for many years.
Bettina and Rob, you have given such wonderful advice. I shall hope I can aspire to be as good when I begin my new path in sexology next year.
Thanks for all the fun guys, I really enjoyed it
-
Iris October 13, 2012
It’s great to hear that things have worked out so well for you Lou Lou. Hopefully you will update us occasionally on how it all progresses. All the best.
-
Anne October 13, 2012
Thanks everyone for sharing such interesting and fun journeys with us.
Wishing you all much joy! -
Tania October 13, 2012
Thank you to Lou Lou, Eloise and Astrid for sharing their internet dating journey with us all, it has been very inspriring! Somewhere around #6 I took the leap of faith and signed up myself. I think Eloise summed it up beautifully in that you need to have resilience and a sense of humour…and I’ve needed a lot of both!
Such great advice from Bettina and Rob too, I’ve taken on board a few of their comments (though am having problems moving past the spelling issue!) and have learnt a lot. I’m hoping there will be a Series 2 (maybe based in Perth so we can access all of the Huntress’ single men friends?) or a future collaboration between you both!
-
The Huntress October 13, 2012
Haha, we should definitely have a singles party in Perth – I can provide the men! Great idea, Tania!
-
ro.watson October 13, 2012
I am still looking at loves past~ the unconditional shifts to the conditional….
-
Sere October 14, 2012
Best Wishes and Goodbye to Everyone!
I’ll leave with this:
You know the quote that says,
‘Life is a journey, not a destination’.Well I read another quote the other day that said,
‘LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE, NOT A JOURNEY’.I’ll add to that, that,
‘LIFE AND LOVE IS AN ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY’.Whether in a committed relationship or not.
-
ro.watson October 14, 2012
Agree Sere~when hopping on that bus called relationship~what I have sought is a shared adventure in outer and inner experiences….meanwhile some of Perth is about to buzz~ as a discerning reader from some of the comments above….question is where to place our energies today?
-
Kimberly October 17, 2012
Do not believe the common view that internet dating is harder or less successful if you are older. I did my first foray into internet dating almost three years ago at 53. Met a great man and we are so happy and committed to our relationship. Mid-age and older women… just do it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
-
Cate January 23, 2013
Can you do a 2013 dating project? PLEASE – I have been dating for 18 months – 47 dates and no boyfriend. Clearly I am doing something wrong and need help and guidance – a community of supporters to whip my romantic butt into shape.
Number 47 has nearly broken my heart – after all that dating he made me feel butterflies and a great connection and now its fizzing out like a left over balloon at a party dancing solo on the floor.
What say you Hoopla? I am a single divorced mother of one – successful career, great group of friends, writer and what feels like a full-time dater ….open to the 2013 challenge – find kate a fella
