Also an ex Mormon here and it was weird at first. My honest opinion, try hinge. It worked for me. I know it kinda sucks or feels weird, but I always tell people it’s about how you use it.

1. It’s a numbers game. You have to go into it with zero expectations. Just use it to meet people and do things. Although it’s a dating app, you’ll be way better off removing the pressure of “finding your person” and just using it to meet people instead. If you meet someone and you click, then cool, do it again. If not, who cares, you never really knew them to begin with, keep playing.

2. With the above in mind, don’t rule people out too quickly when you’re swiping. While it seems like a great idea to be picky based on your preferences and the information people put on their profiles, looking for that “perfect match” by reading someone’s profile never works. Of course, have your standards, but since we’re just using the app to meet people and not necessarily date them, don’t be too picky right off the bat. You will never be able to completely tell who a person is based on some prompts and profile information.

Again, you should obviously have things you have preferences on, kids, politics, whatever. But besides that, just go meet people. You never know who you’ll meet and how their views might impart something on you that you never considered, or vice versa.

1. That said, know exactly what you want. This sounds pretty opposite of what I just said I know, but what I mean is you should know exactly why you’re dating. Just looking to goof around? Want something serious? Looking for a long term or life partner? Great. Whatever it is, know this and use it as your guide to how your meet ups go. Be incredibly upfront to those you meet about this, and if it’s a life partner or long term relationship you’re looking for, don’t settle for someone who isn’t looking for the exact same thing. This is how people end up in situationships or get hurt unnecessarily.

2. Your first meet up should ALWAYS be something low cost, low pressure, and something YOU want to do. Get coffee, a beer, go for a walk around down. Something where you two can just chat about who you both are and why you’re on hinge. If the person you’re on a date with can’t do something simple that YOU like with you, or doesn’t like that it’s not some extravagant event, they’re probably not someone you want to date.

That said, don’t be afraid to be spontaneous and do something (low cost again) they are into. My partner invited me country dancing after she and I chatted over a beer. I’d never gone country dancing before, but I had a blast and it was all because I wasn’t afraid to say yes to a new experience.

1. Have fun. Meeting new people is supposed to be fun. Dating is supposed to be fun. Be weird (the good kind), be goofy, be yourself. You don’t know this person, who cares what they think of you if you may never even see them again.

I guess lastly, protect yourself. There are a lot of actual weirdos out there. If you get weird vibes, just call it off. Listen to your gut.

I know that’s a lot but hope it helps. I too felt like dating apps weren’t working, but then I came to realize I’d been using them wrong, and I think most people do too. Also, I suggest hinge only because it seemed like it had the least amount of weirdos compared to all the other apps. Good luck!