Is Having a 'Type' Stopping You From Finding Love?

In the tumultuous world of modern dating, everyone’s doing what they can to find order among the chaos. Many singles, whether intentionally or subconsciously, find solace in sticking to a certain ‘type.’

While knowing what you like has its benefits, having a type isn’t always a good thing – especially if you’re super strict about it. If that sounds like your approach to dating, this blog is for you!

Here’s how having a type could prevent you from finding love.

Why Having a Type Can Stop You From Finding the One

The risk of self-imposed limitations

In many ways, dating is a numbers game. Your future partner is out there, but to find them, you’ll have to meet a lot of other people first.

It’s easy to think that ruling out whole categories of people will help you find the one faster. But that strategy is based on the assumption that you know exactly who your partner will be and what they look like.

But ask yourself: How do you know that the one will check every box on a narrow set of characteristics? Unless you have a crystal ball and can see into the future, you don’t!

Of course, there are a few traits that justify being picky. Religion and politics may be important values for certain people, but in general, an open mindset is a game-changer.

The less you limit yourself, the more opportunities will come your way.

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Attraction isn’t black and white

Some people are strict about type because they value physical attraction. We’re not here to tell you that attraction isn’t important, but we are here to remind you that attraction isn’t black and white!

Think about it. We’ve all met someone whose appearance drew you in right away, but the minute they opened their mouths, you knew it wasn’t going to work.

When you meet the one, there’s a chance it’ll work the other way. They might not catch your eye at first glance, but once you get to know them, you’ll see the allure.

Long story short, the physical chemistry between two people can evolve over time. You shouldn’t force yourself to be with someone who you’re not attracted to, but give people the chance to surprise you.

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Stereotyping helps no one

Another major risk of dating by type is how often types are informed by stereotypes. Even if you don’t consciously prefer types based on stereotypes, there’s a chance you’re ruling out incredible people by accident.  

Whether cultural, racial, ethnic, or class, stereotypes are just that – stereotypes. This means that, more often than not, they are completely inaccurate! Would you want someone to pass you by because of false stereotypes?

Remember that people are more than the identities they’re born into, and treat other people the way you want to be treated.

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An open mind leads to growth

Letting go of a strict type has benefits, too. For example, dating people who fall outside of your usual type can offer valuable opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery!

No matter your age, there’s always room to learn about yourself and grow as a person. The people you meet in life – including those you date – can play a major role in this journey.

TLDR: stepping outside of your comfort zone can give you valuable insights into yourself and what you want from a partner.

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The truth about compatibility

True compatibility often transcends surface-level attributes. You deserve to find someone who inspires and supports you on a soul level! The only way to find that person is to embrace the possibility that they’ll take you by surprise.

Once you break free from the constraints of a type, you’ll see that a diverse dating pool leads to deeper, more meaningful connections.

Verge is the video dating app helping couples find their compatibility match! We’re always sharing more dating trends, tips, and advice over on our Instagram! Be sure to follow along for the latest insight.