today is Dating Sunday
it's the superbowl sunday of dating
Are you single and ready to hit up the apps today — even if you swore you wouldn’t?
You’re not alone. The first Sunday in January is known as Dating Sunday, the busiest day for online dating worldwide.
On Tinder, the number of DMs increases by 22% on Dating Sunday, and between now and Valentine’s Day (aka New Year, New Boo Season), there are 58.7 million more Likes compared to the rest of the year.
Hinge has similar stats: a 27% increase in likes and a 29% spike in messages on Dating Sunday 2023, especially during peak hours of 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
So why is this Sunday considered the Super Bowl of dating?
Well, the holidays are over, reality sets in, and after a stretch of introspection — or answering way too many questions about your love life from relatives — it’s easy to feel like today is the perfect ‘why not?’ moment before life picks up again.
But before you jump back on the apps, let me stop you for a second. Not because dating apps don’t work — I’ve been chatting with someone I met on Bumble over the holidays — but because it’s worth understanding why you’re swiping.
Feeling like a third wheel or being exhausted by your mom’s constant “Why are you still single?” questions isn’t a good enough reason. Your why for using a dating app needs to come from you.
Dating apps are tools, not shortcuts. They won’t fix your dating life, heal your insecurities, or magically solve the loneliness that hits this time of year. And when we use them out of desperation or distraction, it’s easy to overlook that there’s an actual human being on the other side of that profile — someone with thoughts, dreams, and feelings.
I get it; it doesn’t always feel that way. Staring at sunburnt, shirtless beach photos (bonus points for group shots where you have to play detective) while swapping banter about taco joints can make it feel like a game, not a connection. But unless you’re ready to put your heart into this — and take on the responsibility of someone else’s — maybe hold off on swiping right.
Here’s the thing: this time of year often sucks for single people. We’re lonely. We want to feel good. And honestly, those are some of the worst — albeit most common — reasons to hop back on the apps. It’s not just physical connection we crave; it’s intimacy, vulnerability, and the feeling of being truly seen. But instead of being honest about that, we sometimes force fleeting encounters into something more meaningful. That’s why Dating Sunday can feel weird — not because of the swiping itself, but because we act like it’s all we need to take care of our hearts.
Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Taking care of your heart looks more like understanding yourself, releasing baggage, following your passions, and surrounding yourself with good people. Apps are just one of many ways to connect, and they’re not always the best choice.
So, before you jump into Dating Sunday, ask yourself: What am I hoping for? Connection, adventure, or just distraction? If you’re ready to meet someone, go for it. If not, it’s okay to skip it.
There’s no right way to date, just what feels right for you. And if the idea of participating in the busiest dating day of the year feels like too much, don’t worry — you’re allowed to sit this one out.
In fact, I would recommend it.
Dating Sunday — and dating apps, for that matter — will still be around. But honouring yourself and your needs will always be, and should always be, more important than following the crowd.
This year let’s be more intentional with our choices when it comes to our hearts.
They’re worth it.
Thanks for being here!
Love, Brie xoxo
Wow! I had no idea about this phenomenon!