The Scoop: If you’re focused on personal growth, your dating approach has to reflect that. We talked to Terran Shea about how she helps growth-oriented and high-functioning clients banish dating burnout, find their dating stride, and connect with people who set their hearts on fire.
It’s happened to me before– I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve been ready to give up on dating. We’re talking a throw in the towel, a date-when-I’m-dead sort of giving up. Dating, whether you’re doing it on apps or anywhere else, can get exhausting.
But successful dating usually isn’t the culprit that makes us want to give up. Specific factors make dating exhausting. Rude first dates, getting ghosted, or not matching with compatible people on dating apps can cause burnout.
Dating burnout is real, and when it happens, it’s crucial to take a break, relax, and recenter. But it’s just as important to get back in the game once you’re ready. And once you are ready, deciding to lean on a dating professional for guidance is one of the best decisions you can make.
We talked to Terran Shea, a matchmaker, dating coach, and the founder of Mutual Match, to find out more about how matchmaking can not only be the antidote to dating exhaustion but the key to finding the person you’ve been looking for.
She filled us in on matchmaking in Canada, the kind of clients she loves working with, and how daters can find a variety of programs that can help them find their dating stride. If you’re not quite ready for matchmaking, but need some extra guidance, Terran said coaching programs could be perfect for you.
“We have a highly refined process, and that helps us serve each client to the best of our abilities,” Terran said. “Whether you need matchmaking or coaching, we can help connect you with the support and guidance you need.”
Matchmaking Makes Serious Dating Simpler
Terran came to matchmaking with a diverse background in journalism and corporate consulting. She told us her previous positions and training had her routinely interviewing people with a keen ear to the details, nuance and the ability to spot the red flags.
Terran is now the Head Matchmaker at Mutual Match and a member of the Matchmakers Alliance. She’s certified by the Matchmaking Institute and a certified Date Coach, meaning she’s trained and ready for any dating concerns and goals you have.
Mutual Match has an industry-high 93% success rate and works with singles across Canada.
Mutual Match is known for its matchmaking services, but Terran and her team offer much more.
Singles often go into matchmaking with some preconceived notions. Terran told us it is essential that singles know who matchmaking is and isn’t for. If you’re ready for a serious and committed relationship, have done the work on yourself, and know who you are– you’re ready for matchmaking.
If you’re not sure if that’s you, matchmaking may not be the best place to start. Matchmaking, regardless of who you matchmake with, is for singles who are looking for marriage or life partnership. You need to be in a good place, emotionally, financially, and relationally.
Are You Ready to Grow?
Terran said she ensures all of her clients are ready for the real thing. After that, she said she loves working with clients who are growth-oriented, have things in their life they’re passionate about, and are successful in their own right.
Mutual Match is one of Canada’s top-rated matchmaking services offering boutique services. That means when you become a client with Mutual Match, you’re getting a fully personalized approach to the introductions process. Because of this, Mutual Match attracts high-profile and busy executives.
“I love working with creatives as well,” Terran said. “A lot of my clients tend to be very private. Obviously, online dating is a little more public, so being online is an issue for many of my clients, because they don’t want to run into employees or clients while dating online.”
Many Mutual Match clients want to meet high-quality potential partners without having to deal with the nuances of online dating. Matchmaking is the ideal dating avenue for professionals with stacked schedules who don’t want to neglect their search for love.
Terran and her team’s process prioritizes privacy, confidentiality, and feedback. Terran told us an essential aspect of ensuring Mutual Match maintains its success rate is selectively choosing who to take on as matchmaking clients.
“I don’t take everyone on for matchmaking,” Terran said. “Because sometimes dating coaching is a better fit. The Dating Reset is my main coaching program, and I also do customized coaching programs for my matchmaking clients that I take on.”
If you’re interested in working with Mutual Match, the team will help you discern the best dating plan of action for you. Remember, it’s also a good idea to try out consultations with matchmakers and dating coaches. You never know what you may discover!
If You’re Not Ready for Matchmaking
If you’re not ready for matchmaking– there are so many other dating resources out there. Terran told us about her Dating Reset program, and how it can be particularly helpful for singles experiencing dating exhaustion or burnout.
“The program basically helps people who have dated for a while and haven’t been able to find the person they’re looking for,” Terran said. “I take a look at what they’re doing, and, more often than not, they’re online dating. So we make a plan that takes a different approach.”
Often, by the time people arrive at dating coaching, the approach they’ve been leaning on isn’t working for them.
Dating coaches help you reflect on your past dating habits and reshape them so you can have a more enjoyable dating experience.
If you’ve been dating online, your coach can help you clean up your profile, take new photos, and learn tips and tricks for chatting and landing first dates. If you’re interested in moving your energy toward in-person dating, your coach can connect you with events, mixers, and singles clubs.
“I look at the strategy they’re using online and help them with messaging, who they’re liking and reaching out to, and who they’re not reaching out to,” Terran said. “We’re focusing on getting them out on dates and coming up with strategies to meet people in real life.”
Terran is supported by a group of dating professionals on the Mutual Match team. Coaches, photographers, dating experts, and matchmakers work with singles to learn more about who they are, their dating histories and goals, and help them make changes to create a better dating experience.
If you’re on a break from dating right now, burned out, or just tired of the ups and downs, remember that there are countless resources that can help you rediscover the fun in dating.
