I joined two dating apps.
I'm scared of Tinder because it's the most popular and people who know me might come across my profile, and I'm ashamed. I'm scared they might make fun of me — not because I'm on a dating app, but rather because of what they would think of my profile and prompts/photos.
I finally confess: I'm self-conscious (who would have thought!).

I'd like to meet new people to build my confidence, make new experiences, and especially to discover new places/things to do here in Rome.

I don't think I'll find my soulmate, at most I'll have a brief relationship (or situationship) but I'm fine with it.
The thing is, the people I know I would have a great connection with, they most definitely are not on dating apps.

The way I've always perceived these sites is: they're like a market — no, a bookstore. All you can do is judge by the cover, and I don't think that's a healthy approach... at least, I didn't. I've been on these apps for a few days now, and I notice I've already started giving in: I'm swiping so fast now!, thinking "too pretty, too ugly, too tall, too old, too ..., not enough ..., too ..., not enough ..., ...".
I don't like this behaviour. I'm becoming too shallow.

Also, dating apps exist to make money for their companies, not to help the customer. I know I'm not getting the best recommendations I could get. If I did, I would find love right away and uninstall the app.
Instead, the goal is to keep me thinking I'm always one swipe away from finding the right one. That way, there's an increased chance I might pay for a premium subscription.
It's sad that I recognize this scam and yet I keep swiping.

At first, I only sent likes; I was shy and didn't know what to say. Now I take it as a game, a challenge to find the best pick-up line I can. I don't care if it doesn't work, I like the fun of it.

Also, I want to fuck. So... there's that too.