Modern dating is... interesting, to say the least. Matchmaking apps and their super-duper top-secret algorithms offer to find you the perfect partner even if you have no idea who you are looking for, but anyone who has been exploring the scene knows perfectly well that it isn't as straightforward as swiping.
From being left on read to awkward first date banter and situationships where everyone ends up hurt, the Instagram account @DatingMeme nails every stage of the struggle with painfully accurate jokes. It's basically a free therapy session, but funnier.
#1

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#2

Image credits: datingmeme
Most single men and women between the ages of 18 and 34 (53% and 68%, respectively) say they want a romantic relationship, according to a 2024 study commissioned by dating platform Tinder, which surveyed 8,000 heterosexual participants in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada.
However, nearly all respondents—91% of men and 94% of women—believe the current dating environment is more difficult than ever.
#3

Image credits: katewalsh
#4

Image credits: datingmeme
#5

Image credits: thisisprudy
Experts aren't surprised by such numbers. "The general state of the world is sensed as less predictable and less secure [than in the past]," says Kathryn Ford, M.D., a psychiatrist and couples therapist based in San Francisco and author of The Aperture Effect: A Radically Simple Approach to Finding Joy and Connection in Your Relationship.
She says that, for some people, this lack of predictability and security leads to an increased desire to find a partner, while for others, it creates a hesitancy to make decisions and commitments.
#6

Image credits: niy2pretty
#7

Image credits: datingmeme
#8

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#9

Image credits: Midnightjoanna
But many remain hopeful. According to this year's data from online dating platform Match's Singles in America survey of 5,000 single people, completed in partnership with researchers from The Kinsey Institute:
- 73% of singles surveyed say they believe romantic love can last forever;
- 69% of participants report they believe in destiny;
- 63% of men say they’re romantic, as do 58% of women;
- 51% of those surveyed think there is one perfect match out there for them.
#10

Image credits: datingmeme
#11

Image credits: datingmeme
#12

Image credits: inikoblue
#13

Image credits: datingmeme
But Match's survey discovered some distinct generational patterns.
Gen Z (defined by the researchers as people born between 1998 and 2007) is considered the most sexually conservative generation, with 29% saying sex should happen after a committed relationship. Additionally:
- 69% of Gen Z respondents say they’re not ready for a relationship (even though many want one);
- People in this generation are most likely to be intentionally celibate;
- Only 49% of Gen Z participants say they want children at some point, which is lower than in past generations at the same age.
#14

Image credits: datingmeme
#15

Image credits: datingmeme
#16

Image credits: relationshipmemesforyou
#17

Image credits: datingmeme
Among Millennials (people born between 1982 and 1997):
- Most people—64%—want a committed relationship, although 39% are open to casual dating;
- 52% of people in this generation feel behind in their life goals, especially concerning marriage and children;
- This is the most sexually active generation, with more than half of people saying they have sex at least once a month;
- This generation also uses dating apps the most.
#18

Image credits: datingmeme
#19

Image credits: datingmeme
#20

Image credits: datingmeme
#21

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
Gen X (people born between 1966 and 1981) is the most likely generation to feel behind in life goals (55%), especially when it comes to relationships. Also:
- 48% of people in this cohort have been divorced;
- They use dating apps much less than millennials or Gen Z and instead prefer in-person meetings or introductions through friends.
#22

Image credits: datingmeme
#23

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#24

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#25

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
All of the problems we see in the pictures are taking their toll. A survey of over 1,000 adults found that almost half of U.S. adults—47%—are stressed about their love lives. So here's to balance—may it bring a little more peace.
#26

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#27

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#28

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#29

Image credits: datingmeme
#30

Image credits: datingmeme
#31

Image credits: toxichoodboys
#32

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#33

Image credits: datingmeme
#34

Image credits: datingmeme
#35

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#36

Image credits: datingmeme
#37

Image credits: datingmeme
#38

Image credits: datingmeme
#39

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#40

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#41

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#42

Image credits: datingmeme
#43

Image credits: datingmeme
#44

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#45

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#46

Image credits: datingmeme
#47

Image credits: datingmeme
#48

Image credits: datingmeme
#49

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#50

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#51

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#52

Image credits: datingmeme
#53

Image credits: datingmeme
#54

Image credits: datingmeme
#55

Image credits: datingmeme
#56

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#57

Image credits: datingmeme
#58

Image credits: datingmeme
#59

Image credits: datingmeme
#60

Image credits: datingmeme
#61

Image credits: datingmeme
#62

Image credits: datingmeme
#63

Image credits: datingmeme
#64

Image credits: datingmeme
#65

Image credits: datingmeme
#66

Image credits: datingmeme
#67

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#68

Image credits: datingmeme
#69

Image credits: datingmeme
#70

Image credits: datingmeme
#71

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#72

Image credits: relationshipmemesforyou
#73

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#74

Image credits: datingmeme
#75

Image credits: datingmeme
#76

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#77

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#78

Image credits: datingmeme
#79

Image credits: datingmeme
#80

Image credits: datingmeme
#81

Image credits: AverageSign
#82

Image credits: tinderinyour30s
#83

Image credits: relationshipmemesforyou
#84

Image credits: relationshipmemesforyou
#85

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#86

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#87

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#88

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#89

Image credits: datingmeme
#90

Image credits: datingmeme
#91

Image credits: datingmeme
#92

Image credits: datingmeme
#93

Image credits: datingmeme
#94

Image credits: datingmeme
#95

Image credits: vulpineleather
#96

Image credits: datingmeme
#97

Image credits: relationshipmemesforyou
#98

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#99

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#100

Image credits: datingmeme
#101

Image credits: datingmeme
#102

Image credits: datingmeme
#103

Image credits: relationshipmemesforyou
#104

Image credits: thatsonlinedating
#105

Image credits: datingmeme
#106

Image credits: thatsonlinedating