Dates are like snowflakes—each one is unique. Some are dazzling, some melt away instantly, some leave you cold, and a rare few are so magical you wish they’d last forever. But let’s be honest: modern dating is wild, and keeping track of your romantic adventures can get overwhelming fast.
There’s no universal roadmap for dating success, but a new trend is making things a little less chaotic and a lot more fun: dating spreadsheets.
What Is a Dating Spreadsheet?
A dating spreadsheet is exactly what it sounds like—a tool to track your dating experiences. Whether you’re an Excel enthusiast or a Google Sheets devotee, this method helps you organize details about your dates: how you met, where you went, what you liked (or didn’t), and more.
Model Sixtine Rouyre popularized this idea after she and a friend challenged themselves to go on one date a week and needed a way to keep track. “The goal was to make dating fun, not something to dread,” she says. “I wanted to enjoy being single.”
Why Use a Dating Spreadsheet?
1. Stay Organized and Reduce Overwhelm
Dating coach Lily Womble explains that a spreadsheet serves as a single, intentional place to log your romantic encounters. Without it, your mind can get overloaded, making it hard to remember details or impressions about each date.
2. Reflect and Learn
Writing down your thoughts after each date helps you reflect and avoid giving the wrong people too many chances. It’s also a way to spot patterns in your dating life. For example, Jenny Eishingdrelo discovered she never got a second date from coffee meetups, which helped her rethink her approach.
3. Personal Growth
Relationship expert Nicole Moore sees spreadsheets as a tool for self-improvement. “Every date is an opportunity to grow into the person ready for a great partnership,” she says. The process encourages introspection, which is key to finding real love.
4. Keep Dating Fun
Rouyre emphasizes that the spreadsheet made dating feel lighthearted and less intimidating. “It was fun to have a reference and see the data,” she says.
Potential Downsides
Of course, dating spreadsheets aren’t perfect. Rouyre cautions against obsessing over finding “the one” or making the spreadsheet itself perfect. Sometimes a date is just a fun night out, not a lifelong match.
Womble warns that if you’re feeling hopeless about dating, a spreadsheet could reinforce negative beliefs. Instead of seeing it as proof that love doesn’t exist, use it as a tool to improve your experiences.
What to Include in Your Dating Spreadsheet
Customize your spreadsheet to fit your needs, but here are some ideas to get you started:
The Basics
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Name
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Date (day/month/year)
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How did you meet?
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Where did you go?
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Occupation
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What did you like/dislike?
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Any red flags?
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Would you see them again?
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Number of dates so far
The Juicy Details
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Physical attraction?
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Personality rating?
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Did you kiss or have sex?
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Miscellaneous notes
The Deep Stuff
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What intentional questions did you ask before the date?
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What topics made you feel alive?
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Did they ask good questions?
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What did you learn about yourself?
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Did this date clarify what you want (or don’t want)?
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Could they be a real match?
Dating is supposed to be enjoyable, exciting, and full of growth. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, and every date can teach you something, even if it’s just what you don’t want. If a spreadsheet helps you feel more confident and adds a little sparkle to your dating life, why not give it a try?