Online dating profiles | Unlearning the Fear

As I continue on my online dating journey I’m finding it a bit easier to sort through people’s profiles now that I’ve seen quite a few and met a number of people in person. I’ve developed some criteria to help me navigate this scene.

Red flag profiles:

Describes self as good-looking
Makes sexual jokes/innuendo
Doesn’t have a shirt on (one shirtless pic is enough–no matter how buff you are there’s no reason for that)
Is scowling in every picture
Profile starts with “I’m not sure how to start this…” or “I’m new to this whole online thing, not holding my breath”
Or “I’m not a big fan of online dating but I thought I’d give it a shot”
If you want to know more message me (instead of actually filling out a profile….)
Is ‘looking for someone to heal a broken heart’
Mentions a recent break-up or ex in his self-summary
Looks like a serial killer
Can’t spell to save his life
Is looking for someone ‘normal or sane–no psychos and no drama please’ (good to know you have high standards)
Pictures have cropped-out heads in them, clearly an ex whose arm is draped around his neck
Has no close-ups of his face, just pictures taken on trips, at a distance
Has two pictures: one in which he’s wearing a helmet and one in which a beer mug is covering his face

My weaknesses:

Men with dog photos because I love dogs and hear myself say ‘awwwwww’ when I see the dog…and lose focus on the person
Same as above–substitute dogs for babies

So, again, I’m learning a thing or two. Either I will eventually meet someone or I will have a very fine-tuned process…..