Your second paragraph resonates. Were it not for friends, insightful books, and Meetup.com meetups, I'd be a lot more demoralized over the dating process. IRL

Your second paragraph resonates. Were it not for friends, insightful books, and Meetup.com meetups, I'd be a lot more demoralized over the dating process. IRL social settings at least provide something beneficial, specifically meeting people who can become friends/industry connections and level up ones social skills. Thus even with hundreds of hours doing meetups can result in something beneficial even if it no potential is found, whereas solely doing online dating with little results can foster helplessness.