A Journey from Humble Beginnings
Swipe Right on Your Own Story
The first time I considered creating an online dating profile, I remember laughing nervously. Me? On an app? What would I even write? “Likes books and talking about existential dread”? Not exactly a swipe magnet. But behind the humor was this question eating away at me: Who am I when you strip away the curated resume, my favorite indie playlists, or the fact that I can hike to the top of Mount Timpanogos without complaining (much)?
The truth is, many of us feel stuck when it comes to crafting “the perfect profile.” You want to be authentic, but not too awkward. Thoughtful, but not trying too hard. Cool, but not like you’re posing for a GQ cover next to your golden retriever named Maximus. If this all feels like a lot of pressure, that’s because honestly, it kind of is. Crafting an online dating profile is like auditioning for the role of “future love interest” while the judges—potential matches—swipe with the speed of someone avoiding spoilers on Marvel release day.
But here’s the thing: what makes a profile extraordinary isn’t the bells and whistles. It’s the deliberate decision to own your story, quirks and all. You don’t need a Mount Everest highlight reel or a series of dad jokes (though I’m definitely swayed by the latter). It’s about showcasing the ordinary in a way that feels undeniably—you.
Let’s explore how to go from “Meh” to “Whoa” with a little help from the lessons I’ve learned—both the funny ones and the thought-provoking ones.
Humble Beginnings: Embrace the Ordinary
Let’s get one thing straight: being ordinary is underrated. These days, dating profiles can feel like a virtual Hunger Games audition—skydiving pictures, salsa lessons in Colombia, expertly framed latte art pouring. But if your life isn’t a James Bond movie, don’t sweat it.
Take it from me: I grew up in a well-meaning but relatively predictable suburban world. Most family vacations involved a modest tent pitched against the intimidating backdrop of Utah’s national parks. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize not everyone thought that choosing between moose tracks and rocky road ice cream counted as a big decision. Yet, it’s precisely this grounded upbringing that taught me to look for depth in the everyday.
So how does that translate to your profile? Be honest about your everyday moments—authenticity beats glam 100% of the time. Picture this:
Instead of: “World traveler who’s been to 15 countries.”
Try: “Maybe I haven’t been to Paris, but I did conquer making a soufflé last weekend without Googling, ‘Why is my oven smoking?’”
Instead of: “Obsessed gym rat.”
Try: “New to yoga—currently just trying not to fall asleep during Savasana.”
They’re both memorable without requiring a feature on the Travel Channel. It’s these small, humanizing touches that stick with people because they leave room for connection. Your version of extraordinary might be tied to quiet, unassuming joy. Run with it.
Curating Playful Honesty: The Bio Basics
The bio section might be short, but it’s where most of the work gets done. Treat it like an elevator pitch meets a campfire chat: you’ve got 30 seconds to make someone feel intrigued enough to say, “Tell me more.”
Here are a few key tips for upgrading your bio.
-
Leading with Humor (and a Hint of Mystery):
Look, not everyone is born a stand-up comedian, but a little humor goes a long way. For me, I snuck in something playful like:
"Writer by day, over-thinker 24/7. Bonus points if you can explain why everyone suddenly likes sparkling water."It sets the tone, and now you’ve got someone curious about your sparkling water vendetta (hint: I still think it tastes like TV static).
-
Specific Is Magnetic:
Skip the vague platitudes like “I love adventures” or “Looking for someone who can make me laugh.” Replace them with vivid details.
Instead of: “I love music.”
Try: “Currently teetering between revisiting Bon Iver’s slow jams and debating if Taylor Swift secretly wrote the soundtrack to my life.”
Instead of: “I’m spontaneous.”
Try: “The kind of person who’ll road trip two hours for tacos, no questions asked.”
- Channel Positivity, not Skepticism:
A major rookie mistake is coming across as jaded before the conversation even begins. Statements like “Don’t swipe if you’re just here to waste my time” might feel justified, but they scream exhaustion, not excitement.
Flip the script to something lighter like:
“Looking for someone who wouldn’t mind sharing the aux cord on road trips. Bonus points if you don’t judge semi-obscure podcasts.”
A (Literal) Picture’s Worth a Thousand Swipes
Your photos tell a story—unfinished, delightful, unapologetically you. And no, that doesn’t mean you need to post thirst traps or overly filtered selfies with white teeth so bright they’d put Crest commercials to shame.
Here’s my favorite rule: Choose 5-6 photos that balance these categories.
- The approachable solo: A shot of you laughing, hiking, or doing something low-key. No staged glamour shots, thanks. (My winner? Me awkwardly holding a cup of cider next to a massive pumpkin at a fall festival.)
- Hobby vibes: Show, don’t tell. If you love baking, include a photo of you genuinely mid-project—flour-covered apron and all. Love climbing? Snap a candid halfway up.
- One that screams ‘Adventure-ish’: This doesn’t have to be skydiving. Even an everyday picnic spot with scenic mountains in the background works. (Utah’s my secret weapon, for obvious reasons.)
- Friends, but not 15 of them: One group photo max. The last thing anyone wants is to play Where’s Waldo? while determining which guy in sunglasses is you.
Finally, skip the fish pics. Please. This isn’t Tinder in 2014.
The Extraordinary Connection: Celebrate Imperfection
There’s something powerful about embracing imperfection. The moment I stopped imagining what my dating profile “should” look like and instead focused on what made me excited to share my day with someone else, things changed. The more transparent I got about my passions (how faith sometimes butts heads with individuality) or quirks (the fact that I’ll happily analyze a donut’s quality for 10 minutes)…the more interesting connections I made.
It reminded me of the Wasatch hikes I grew up on. The first rule wasn’t “find the perfect route.” It was simply: take one beautiful, deliberate step at a time. Some days were rocky, others absolutely breathtaking. Dating is similar—the only thing you can control is how you show up.
Closing the Loop: You’re Already Extraordinary
At the end of the day, you don’t need curated perfection to attract the right person. You need vulnerability wrapped in humor, grounded in honesty, and a willingness to be your wonderfully ordinary (and therefore extraordinary) self. Share your zest for life, however that looks. Maybe you’re climbing career ladders or trying to grow tomatoes without making your neighbors pity you. Maybe your ultimate Friday night is putting on sweatpants and rewatching Parks and Recreation.
No matter where you are, there’s someone who’ll find it extraordinary simply because it’s you. The hard part is showing up, putting yourself out there, and embracing every swipe story as one chapter in a much larger, more meaningful narrative.
So, go—grab some tea, start drafting your profile, and don’t overthink the bio. The right people? They’re not looking for a dating app Oscars submission. They’re looking for connection.
