With all of the media sensationalism over the recent swine flu outbreak, it’s easy to start feeling a bit paranoid about getting out there and meeting new people. Those pictures of people walking around wearing surgical masks and the daily briefings with a “sky is falling” theme are downright scary.

Fortunately, it seems the flu outbreak is winding down and hasn’t been nearly as serious as originally feared. There is another sickness going around, though, and this one has no cure.

It’s called Spring Fever. It’s extremely contagious. And there’s no cure except to get outside, get active, and let it run its course.

Spring is a natural time for singles to feel energized about finding a new partner and it comes with plenty of opportunities for doing just that. If you find yourself suffering from this seasonal affliction, here are five great ways to get through it and even share it with others:

1. Join a co-ed softball team sponsored by the local parks & recreation department.

2. If you have a dog, take it to the nearest dog park on a regular basis.

3. Get outside in the evenings after work and go for a walk.

4. Sign up for an outdoor class like kayaking, fishing, or the like.

5. Sign up for group golf lessons and make a point of playing the local par-3 course at least once per week.

These may sound kind of silly or even ho-hum, but I guarantee that you’ll find yourself having some fun, enjoying the spring a bit more, and perhaps even meeting other singles like yourself along the way.

News & Views Dogs, Hobbies, Holidays, Meet People, Sports

Once upon a time, there were two people who didn’t want to eat meat. But they did want to find love. So, they went to a vegan retreat to keep up with their vegan ways and found each other.

It’s becoming a common story these days. As soon as you’re not looking for love, there it is.

While vegans are finding love, so are those who do eat meat.

The lesson to take from this fairy tale story is that getting out and doing what you love can often turn into a love relationship. By exploring those things that inspire you, you can meet others who share in your interests.

Since you will already have something to talk about, even breaking the ice becomes a much easier thing. You can talk about the class, go to follow-up seminars and meetings together. Even if your relationship doesn’t end up working out, you’ll still have cultivated a friendship that is based on shared mutual interests.

And learning more about yourself and about life is something that you can carry with you, even when you are single.

So, get out the door and back into your life. Love might be waiting for you to sign up.

Diary Hobbies, Interests, Love, Vegans

You have a strategy for everything in your life – moving, your job, your schedule, etc. But when it comes to dating, we seem to think that having a strategy somehow takes the ‘fun’ out of it. However, if you’re spending more nights alone than you might like, maybe it’s time to stop hoping for love and to start scoping for love.

Using a strategy.

While different strategies have worked for different people, there are many that have been used time and time again with success. Online dating is a complicated process, but here’s what you need to do to get started. We’ll cover some other techniques next week too.

Be specific – When you’re trying to find a dating site, try to find one that caters to your specific likes (and dislikes). This isn’t about finding a person to date; this search should be about finding THE person who you want to spend time with.

Positivity matters – Focus on what you want, as opposed to what you don’t want. You want prospective people you date to think you’re a happy and outgoing person who looks for the good in everything… unless you’re on a dating site that wants you to be negative.

Showcase your talents and hobbies – Don’t be afraid to talk about what you can do. This is something that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd.

Need more? Stay tuned.

Dating Essentials Alone, Hobbies, Love, Meet People, Positive, Success