Swipe right on self-love: Dating in Boise, Idaho

As a native Idahoan, I’m no stranger to the infamous “Boise Nice” stereotype. It wasn’t until I moved out of Boise in 2015 that I truly grasped its significance. People don’t smile and wave at you at grocery stores in Baltimore, Maryland. I learned that the hard way.

Four years later, I moved back to my beloved home state, officially earning the title of a boomerang. My homecoming wasn’t all smiles and warm greetings. I came back with the weight of heartbreak. I’ll spare you the gritty details, but suffice it to say, easing back into the dating scene was rough. I hadn’t gone on a first date in over six years, so yes, I needed time to recalibrate and learn how to flirt again.

And just when I decided okay, I might be ready to date now 😃…BOOM, the pandemic hit. I have impeccable timing, I tell ya.

As the big 3-0 approached, a mild panic started to set in. It seemed as if most of my friends were meeting the loves of their lives and getting married. I was still dating Caspers that would vanish at the mere mention of commitment. I started questioning if something was wrong with me or if I was just unlovable.

Sure I met a few people through mutual friends and went on dates, but it seemed like everyone was after a fleeting romance, a casual fling, or a situationship with an expiration date. I even had someone tell me I wasn’t Christian enough. Yeah, that was fun.

Fast forward to the summer of 2022, I thought I had struck gold and found myself a potential partner. Little did I know, he was juggling me and another unsuspecting soul for a solid three months. Who needs a magician when you can have a master of deception? I must say, it’s quite the skill to balance two relationships and still manage to disappoint them both. Bravo, sir, bravo. Now, excuse me while I check if my heart is still capable of trusting anyone ever again.

Instead of wallowing in sadness and succumbing to pessimism about my love life, I decided to conduct a little experiment and date myself. What if I took myself to all the places I wanted to go on dates? What if I gave myself all the love and attention I sought in a romantic relationship? Turns out, the Boise and surrounding areas are great when you’re dating yourself. I took myself on dates to restaurants, jammed out at concerts, attended local events, and even went to the movies solo.

Cheesy as it may sound, I’ve learned so much about myself on this journey. Who knew I could be both the student and the teacher of love? I have met some truly incredible people who are now my dearest friends (yes, I made friends as an adult!), took on new hobbies, and discovered what I was truly passionate about. What started as an experiment led me to an odyssey of self-love and self-discovery, guiding me toward a profound understanding of what I truly want out of life.

You’re not alone if you think the dating scene in Boise, Idaho is rough. I’ll be sharing all the juicy details on the dating life in Boise. Not only that, but I’ll talk about places to visit (and avoid) on first dates, ways to make friends as an adult, and how you can still chase your dreams when you’re 20, 30, 40, 50+ years young.

I would love for you to follow along on this journey.

Stay young, wild, and free, ◡̈
-Sarahi