So, I did it...

I finally bit the bullet, pulled the trigger, took the plunge, [insert your favorite cliche here]. 
Oh, you want to know what I did? 
Truth be told, I set up an online dating profile.  Yep! That's right! I'm (finally) giving online dating a shot. 
It's been a long, long time coming. At this point...I've been single for an entire year- with very little effort to try to be with someone. I've had little things here & there- nothing that progressed into anything though.  
I had a realization over the weekend. Why oh why am I putting so much time & effort into something that's only bringing me down & setting me up to get hurt (again and again)?
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So, Sunday night while at a Superbowl party with my girlfriends & some of their husbands- I brought my laptop along with me. I (nervously & skeptically) started to fill out an online dating profile. 
I got about 1/2 way through and then quit. I decided it was something I needed to do on my own. After half time, I said my goodbyes & headed home. 
Once I was home- I poured myself a glass of wine, powered that laptop back up & got to it.
I found the site I wanted to use, gathered 4-5 decent pictures of me & got started.
Now, it became a challenge! Writing things about myself- and writing them to make me sound like an amazing women.  This is where I got to thinking. I was searching deeply for positive & nice things to write about myself.  (source)
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At first, it didn't come easily. It was really tough! I didn't know what to say. I mean, when else do we have the option & the opportunity to PRAISE ourselves?!  Suddenly, though, something clicked & I just let go. I started to be REAL and HONEST about me. I thought of the compliments that I've received from my friends, family, coworkers & my blog life! I thought about these positives....and actually started believing them! I focused on describing the real Jenn. I weighed out who I'm not & what my strengths are not. 
I began typing away and it hit me. Y'all, I'm a pretty darn good catch. I've got a lot going for me- a lot that I never let myself see or believe prior to that moment. 
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I filed out my profile completely, sat back and felt a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Not only, had I taken a HUGE first step by simply setting up my profile BUT I learned something along the way- I'm a pretty fantastic woman. Who knew that setting up an online dating profile would result in such positive personal growth?! 
I'm feeling empowered, confident and optimistic. 
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Continuing to be truthfully, I've already  had to start weeding out weirdos and skeezy guys. None the less, I'm excited to see what it brings down the road. 
Have YOU ever tired online dating? What are your tips? Advice? Positives? Negatives? I want to hear them all!
I'm so excited to keep you all posted on where this journey takes me & share my stories (good, bag, ugly) along the way! 


PS- thank YOU for your encouragement to do this. Without your support, well, I just don't know that I would have gone for it! 
PPS- all you lovely Georgia gals- any cute single friends?! I trust y'all to play matchmaker & I'm back on the market SO if you got someone...send 'em my way! (I'm only half kidding....mostly not kidding!) 

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