The Biggest Dating Shifts Of 2026 So Far | S5 EP135

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Dating in 2026 has a vibe, and it’s equal parts hopeful, messy, and chronically online. We’re halfway through the year, so I’m taking a lighthearted but honest look at the dating trends popping up everywhere and giving you my real commentary on what actually helps you build connection.

We get into political deal breakers and why people treat them like instant character tests, plus how I’d rather ask “why” than slam a door without context. Then we talk about therapy lingo in dating culture: boundaries, narcissism, trauma bonding, and all the ways good mental health language gets turned into lazy labels. I’m all for emotional growth, but I’m not here for people throwing around diagnoses like they’re horoscope signs.

From there, we hit the practical trends: being more direct about what you want, micro dating with short coffee meetups, and the friend group chat effect on who you date. I also dig into dating app fatigue, why swiping feels like 95% nonsense, and why “apps are obsolete” might be true for some people, but only if you’re willing to actually talk to humans in real life. Finally, we roast the worst of the bunch: “Shreking” and “throning,” where dating turns into a status game and clout chase.

If any of these trends have you nodding or rage-laughing, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. Which dating trend do you think is the most damaging right now?

Source material -

https://inclubmagazine.com/2026-dating-trends/

https://www.ebony.com/summer-dating-trends-2026/

1/6/26

1/6/26

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