How Women Can Get Ready for Dating Sunday and Make Their Love Resolution Come True
If finding love (or getting back out there) is going to make your New Year’s resolution list, this is your perfect moment. The holiday season will soon be over, and everyone’s in that new beginnings mindset.
January 4, 2026, is a very special holiday. It’s Dating Sunday—the busiest day of the year on dating websites. Every first Sunday of the new year, millions of new users take a deep breath, buckle up, and get online looking for love, fresh starts, or at least a date for Valentine’s Day.
Why Dating Sunday Is Such a Big Deal
Dating experts like Logan Ury from Hinge and Rachel DeAlto from Match agree—this day launches peak dating season. Dating sites see traffic jump by as much as 35% compared to a typical Sunday. That means more people, more swipes, and more potential matches in one night than almost any other day of the year.
Tinder, Bumble, Coffee Meets Bagel, and other popular dating apps report the same pattern. From that Sunday night through the following weeks, it’s like the Super Bowl of dating—minus the chips, plus a flurry of DMs.
As a dating coach, my advice: If you’re ready for a fresh start in your love life, this is the best time to do it.
The Psychology Behind the Dating Sunday Surge—and What Makes People Finally Say “I’m Ready”
So why does Dating Sunday inspire so many people to get online?
Because the first Sunday in January lands right after the holidays—a time when emotions run high with nostalgia, loneliness, and hope. Add the pressure of Valentine’s Day inching closer, and it creates the perfect motivation to start dating again.
People take inventory of their lives and decide to make intentional changes. Everyone wants more authentic connections—it’s one of our most basic needs.
When people are more reflective and open-hearted, they also tend to show up better on dating apps. That means fewer ghosters, fewer emotionally unavailable daters, and more people genuinely ready for healthy, long-term relationships.
How to Prepare for the Busiest Dating Day of the Year and Make Dating Sunday Count
If you want to make the most of Dating Sunday 2026, don’t just log in—plan ahead.
Here’s how to become a more successful dater this season:
Skip last year’s copy-and-paste bio. That version of you is old news. This is a new chapter. Refresh your online dating profile to reflect who you are today—your passions, growth, and humor. Add new photos that show you living your best midlife.
The key to an irresistible profile is not what you think.
Pro tip: Ask a friend to snap new pictures and give honest feedback about how your energy comes through on camera.
✅ Try Voice Notes or Video Prompts
Apps like Hinge and Bumble now let you add voice notes or short videos to your profile. Use them! Your voice and personality communicate warmth and confidence in ways text never can. A genuine laugh or smile can instantly make you stand out.
✅ Revisit Your 3H Chart
You knew this was coming. Get crystal clear on what you want in your head, heart, and hoo-ha. No more winging it. Your dating goals should honor your full self—mental, emotional, and physical.
✅ Plan Your Dating Sunday Session
This is your prime window. Pour yourself a glass of wine or cuppa tea, put on a feel-good playlist, and spend a few hours exploring new matches. Message with intention and follow up with those who feel aligned.
Clear your calendar in January to make space for online flirting and real-life dates so your momentum doesn’t fade.
The Real Opportunity to Reset Your Love Life and Start Dating Again
The new year isn’t just for cleaning up your apps—it’s also about resetting your mindset and emotional readiness.
Ask yourself:
Do I truly have the time and energy for dating right now?
Am I emotionally available, or still healing from the past?
Do I know who I’m looking for—and why?
These questions are powerful. I want dating to be about attracting the right person, not just anyone. If you’ve done your inner work, it’s time to get out there. If not, tune into my podcast Love at Any Age or read my other blogs for dating advice to help you clear the blocks to love.
If you’ve been out of the dating world for years, this is your moment to start dating again. The way you show up on Dating Sunday sets the tone for your love life all year long—so make it count.
Your Coaching Homework: Get Ready for Dating Sunday and Make This the Year You Find Love
✅ Choose your top two dating apps.
✅ Write or refresh your dating profile.
✅ At the turn of the year, get on there with gusto!
✅ Schedule one first date in January—coffee or a walk is perfect.
✅ Check out my free webinar if you haven't, and learn the 3 Secrets to Finding and Maintaining Healthy Love
Dating is a skill you can practice and master. You learn, adjust, and grow. And Dating Sunday is the perfect excuse to crank it back up.
💬 FAQs
1. What exactly is Dating Sunday?
It’s the first Sunday of the new year, when dating apps and websites see the biggest spike in activity—up to a 35% increase compared to an average Sunday.
2. Why do people join dating apps then?
Because it’s the start of a new year, the holiday season is over, and everyone’s inspired by new year’s resolutions and Valentine’s Day energy.
3. How can I stand out among new users?
Update your dating profile with recent photos, use voice notes, and write prompts that reflect your authentic self. People can feel genuine energy through the screen.
4. Is Dating Sunday the best time to meet new people?
It’s certainly one of them! With a massive percent spike in users and energy, it’s a great window for new connections that can set the tone for the rest of the year. It's also when you are probably most likely to commit to showing up and doing the work, at least in January!
5. What if I’m nervous to start again?
You’re not alone. Take a deep breath, remind yourself that you’re worthy of love, and start with intentional changes—even small ones like taking more pictures or drinking more water. You’ll be amazed at how fast your confidence grows once you’re in motion.
Love,
