Kissable not cuffable

Kissed: 7

First dates: 4 

Second dates: 3 

Third dates: 3 

Fourth dates: 2 

Total dates: 12

Crash outs: 3 (read my previous articles to catch up!)

Exes getting back in touch: 2

Men blocked: 1

Cuffed: 0

So, as 2025 comes to an end, as does Ex-posé’s first year. For me, it’s been a year of trying to date for the first time EVA! It’s been a year of FINALLY healing, growing and working out what I want. I think I have come far in terms of boundaries, knowing what I want. I’m trying to listen to myself, not be chaotic and work on giving myself what is best for me. 

It feels like progress in the right direction. 

Now let’s take a closer look at some of these statistics!!! 

Seven smooched

I am not entirely sure if this is a lot for a single 20-something living in a capital city. Of the seven, more than half were people I was seeing. The best kiss was levels above the others and sent me into an existential crisis – but more on that in an upcoming article! Please find my first chart below, which details locations of my first kisses with these seven lucky people.

This tells me that it is ESSENTIAL as a single person to pursue what you’re looking for, but also enjoy the freedom of a good old-fashioned snog! However, please note: this is entirely situationally dependent on the fact that I live for a night out. I’m sure if your Ex-posé editor dedicated more time to a run club or pottery classes, she’d have more exciting kissing destinations. 

Dates data

Four first dates

Now these were from dating apps ONLY! Two Hinge, two Breeze. No one from real life (I’m not convinced meeting irl exists anymore). One person I decided not to see again, and the others all got a second date. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: it’s very hard to know someone well enough just from a first date to not try again on a second. 

Three second dates

I think second dates are my favourite. You know you get on with the person and it just reaffirms everything from the first date (in these cases it did, anyway). 

Three third dates

I think this is when I tend to shit myself and go a bit weird x

Two fourth dates

We have NOT managed to get further than this. I think this is due to a mixture of not knowing what I really want nor thinking critically enough about it. 

Out of these dates, here is the breakdown of the types of dates I had across the 12.

Dating is expensive and I fear it is very centred around drinking, which means certain behaviours and certain fragmented memories. I tend to think the non-eating/ non-drinking dates come later, and feel more serious in a way. 

More serious, you say? We did not get there, so let’s have a look at why! WHYYYYYYYY?!!?!??!?!

Wrapping it up

Sounds about right, reflects the modern dating scene to me!!!

All jokes aside, I must say, putting into practice all the work that I have done on myself is so hard. Being so aware of how I got into some situations and trying to not do that again is agony for me. Trying not to overthink when you know why you’re doing it and know that it doesn’t help (or so my therapist told me, I find it helps prepare me for every eventuality occasionally xo). 

Anyway, next year, the goal is to continue intentional dating, maybe meet someone and try to find my gut instinct. 

See you there, and thank you for going through all this with me this year!!!! Please find the final chart here.