We've all had them - the date from hell. Anyone who has been single for a longer period of time has some of them to tell. Whether it was someone you met on a dating app, a random casual meeting at a bar, or a blind date fix-up - we'd love to hear your story. It's time to spill the tea!

We are all afraid of something. It’s very important to understand that. If anyone has ever told you different, they’re lying, and probably too afraid to tell you the truth (lol) Some fears are evident from childhood, while others happen later, stemming from different traumas or experiences you have throughout your life. Some fears are manageable, and some cripple your life. What are you afraid of? How do you manage your fears?

Here on INKSTANE Forums, we are all about community. The one thing we love to do is help our community grow. As our circle here begins to expand, we would like to help grow yours in the process. That is why this next discussion will be dedicated to anyone who’d like to introduce themselves on our platform. Tell us about yourself and what makes you unique. If you own a business, released a recent song, have a fund-raiser or event to plan, or simply someone looking to collaborate with others - let INKSTANE help you by promoting your "thing". Be clear about what you want others to know about you. Be sure to check back in and see who else has commented. You just never know who you might meet or what opportunities may arise. Remember, this is a fun, safe place to share – so keep it kind! Best of Luck in being discovered.

When it comes to dating, we all have a laundry list of things that we look for in a partner. Before we even get to know someone, we've already created some expectations in our minds about the things we want and definitely about the things we don't. Some of these expectations have come from past relationships, while others stem from behaviors we've witnessed in other couples. Then, there is also the matter of dating deal-breakers vs. relationship deal-breakers. You know, the things that you can easily dismiss when first dating someone, but will make you want to pull your hair out after month 6 or 7. Last but not least, the infamous male vs. female deal-breakers. Do they even exist? Are there actually things that differ between the sexes? What are your deal-breakers when it comes to dating/relationships? Are there some things you can overlook at the beginning, but can't as time goes on? Does the list differ between men and women? We cannot wait to hear your responses!

So, if you've read my recent blog titled: "Online Dating - For Better or Worse" you will know exactly what my thoughts are about finding love online. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, because statistics show that 60% of people do find a lasting connection online, but is that good enough? Is it worth all the pitfalls, ghosting and untruths along the way? I wonder if it's truly the best way to find love. What say you? What are your thoughts about virtual dating and finding love in general? Tell us your story.

According to the leaders of Tinder, Match, and Hinge dating sites, there has been a historic change in the dating world. Due to the pandemic, more singles now want a lifetime partner, rather than a fling. What’s even more surprising, 83% of singles want someone who is emotionally mature over someone who is physically attractive. It seems that the many lockdowns we’ve been forced into has given people a lot of time to really look at their lives and determine what things are the most important when looking for a partner. Apparently today, it’s just way cooler to have someone long term that you can depend on mentally, emotionally, and financially in your life - than a hot, different someone, laying in your bed for a night. So, what say you, single people? When it comes to dating in 2022, are you more interested in a long term, full package thing, or are you much happier serial dating – playing the field? Are you looking for love or sex?

We are all slowly receiving notifications from our employers about the return to the workplace and what it will look like. It's a bittersweet feeling indeed. It means that we are slowly getting back to some kind of "normalcy" and yet it brings on great stress and anxiety to come back to a place of "pre-covid". Going back to the office will be a definite stressor for us all. Organizations are working hard to get their employees back in, but are they working as hard to figure out ways to make the transition easier for their workers? I read an article on burnout recently and this passage really struck me: "No amount of yoga, meditation or better attention to one’s diet is going to overcome the effects of the core factors that lead to going back to the office and all the burnout." These are: 1. Excessive workload 2. A lack of control over one’s work 3. A lack of reward and recognition 4. Poor relationships 5. A lack of fairness 6. A mismatch between the organization’s values and our own. How are you all feeling about it? Let's get the conversation started!