I’m 34, still single, still trying, and still hopeful. 

Everyone says dating is fun. I’m beginning to think they’re all in a different dating pool to me. 

If I didn’t actively put myself out there, I know I’d be alone. And yes, I’m still single at the age of 34, but I also still have hope. Both things can exist at the same time. 

When I look at my life, it isn’t exactly built for a romantic meet-cute. At the gym I’m wearing headphones and avoiding eye contact while pretending I enjoy burpees. On the train everyone is staring into space because we’re Londoners. Tennis lessons? Women. Lots of women. 

So realistically, how am I meant to meet someone? 

That’s how I’ve ended up on two dating apps: Hinge and Breeze. 

Hinge… is exactly as bad as people say. I’m sure it works for some, but as of May 2026, I genuinely dread getting a match. I’ve seen everything: a guy with two rats on his shoulders, another dressed like he belonged on the Iron Throne proudly stating he didn’t want kids. Which is absolutely fine… but I do. It does make you wonder how much these apps actually pay attention to what you’re looking for. 

Breeze feels different. Better intentions, maybe. 

I even tried speed dating in 2025. Never again. I was polite, I always am, but at one point I was sitting across from a man who informs me he goes speed dating once a week in a different city. And I remember thinking… that doesn’t feel righ, are you looking for love or completing a UK tour? Then there was another guy who had clearly enjoyed the bar a little too much and whose trousers were slowly giving up on him. 

So far this year, I’ve been on two dates. One from Breeze, one from Hinge. 

The Hinge date was after a month of messaging, and within minutes of meeting it was obvious we were looking for very different things. It just felt… disappointing. Whatever happened to a bit of effort? A bit of curiosity? 

The Breeze date though, that one was actually lovely. Easy conversation, good energy. I would have gone on a second date. He didn’t feel the same, and that’s okay. Not everything has to lead somewhere. We still had a genuinely nice evening… which ended at Waterloo with Burger King. 

I’ve got another first date this Saturday at 6pm, from Breeze. So despite everything, I’m still showing up. Still putting on the outfit, still making the effort, still quietly hoping one day I’ll have a story that starts with “so we met…” rather than “so I downloaded another app.” 

Because I still want to meet someone to spend my life with. I just can’t work out whether dating apps are going to get me there. Right now, my experience says maybe not. But if not there… then where? 

Help a girl out. I’m taking suggestions.