Are you looking for love but having trouble finding people who share your environmental values? If so, there’s good news – there are a lot of people out there in the world, and most likely, there are others out there who want the same things you do. The question is, how do you find those people?
How To Meet People Who Share Your Passion and Values
Here are some steps to take to meet people who share your passion and values related to the environment, lifestyle, relationships as a whole, and more:
1. Know your needs and wants
First, you’ve got to know your wants and needs in a relationship. It doesn’t mean that you have to force yourself to nitpick, nor should you. Instead, it’s about the deal breakers that truly matter to you. Here are some examples:
- “I need someone who cares about sustainability.”
- “I need someone who is supportive of the time I spend on my activism/career/etc.”
- “I need someone who also wants (or does not want) kids.”
- “I need someone who has similar values to mine.”
- “I need someone who is in agreement with me on (insert topic here).”
Jot your deal breakers down on a piece of paper. How do you want a partner to treat you, and what do you want your life to look like? As far as partners go, what qualities would align with that lifestyle, and what wouldn’t? Do you care that they take small steps toward environmental consciousness and are willing to learn? Knowing the answer to these questions alone can help you find what you’re looking for because you’ll have a clear view of what it is you want right in front of you.
2. Be upfront about what you’re looking for
You have to both know your needs and express them. With the pandemic, more and more people are heading to online dating and dating apps to find love, friends, and more. Dating apps might get a bad reputation, but one benefit of them is that your profile allows you to be upfront about what you want before the first conversation even starts.
3. Put yourself out there
You can’t meet people unless you put yourself out there. If you’re looking for someone with similar passions and values, one of the best things to do is to enter spaces where people share your passions and values. Again, if you’re on a dating app, it’s important to list what you’re looking for, but there are other ways to meet people, too.
Two of the best ways to do this are to join a group created for people with similar interests, whether that’s online or in person, or to get involved locally as a volunteer. There may be a volunteer organization or program related to environmentalism or sustainability in your area. Even if it results in friends rather than romance, it’s definitely something to look into!
A bonus: Volunteer work is said to boost both mental health and physical health, so if you meet people through this avenue, you’re doing something positive for your wellbeing, too.
4. Be safe when you meet up
When you meet someone that you connect with, feeling eager about the connection makes sense. However, it is imperative that you use dating safety tips. If you meet someone online, video chat with them first to confirm that they are who they say they are. Do not let a person know your home address or where you work right away, and if you’re meeting up with someone new or relatively new, make sure that a trusted friend or family member knows where you’re going.
Dating can be challenging, and whether you’re just starting your search or have found someone you’re interested in, it can bring up a lot of feelings. If you need someone to talk to, consider seeing a counselor or therapist.
Find A Therapist
Whether you’re struggling with dating and relationships or something else that’s on your mind, a therapist or counselor can help. To find a therapist, you can search the web, ask your doctor for a referral, contact your insurance company to see who they cover, or sign up for a reputable online therapy platform like BetterHelp.
Online therapy allows you to get quality care from someone licensed in your state without the commute, making it an environmentally friendly option. Additionally, online therapy is often more affordable than traditional in-person services are without insurance. Regardless of how you find a therapist, you deserve to get the support you need. Don’t hesitate to take the first step and reach out or sign up today.
