Dating can be tough at the best of times: There are multiple apps to swiped though, red flags to be detected, date spots to be scouted, and outfits to be chosen, not to mention the fact that you and a friend could end up dating the same person - Ireland is small after all.
Throw a global pandemic into the mix - along with social distancing restrictions and multiple lockdowns - and you've got a bit of a situation on your hands.
So, with all this in mind, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised to learn that almost a third of single women in Ireland say they're enjoying their own company in lockdown and aren't in need of a partner.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Hastings Hotels conducted a survey of 16,000 people to find out more about people's dating lives during COVID-19, whether they be single or coupled up, and the results are interesting.
With the country facing tight restrictions until at least March 5, the loss of our social lives has made 32% of unattached women realise they are happily single and don't feel the need to meet someone.
However, as level five restrictions continue, only 15% of men report feeling the same way.
With the most romantic weekend of the year almost upon us, the data also revealed that a Valentine's break away in a hotel is what 50% couples miss most, while 29% are pining for a meal out and 11% crave alone time with their partner.
An impressive 30% said they plan to make an extra effort in lockdown on February 14. Most (85%) will be spending the day with partners, 7% will enjoy it with family and a naughty 1% are saving it for their secret lovers.
Cooking a special dinner is the Valentine's gesture of choice for 42%, followed by booking a hotel break to enjoy after lockdown (40%), while just over 4% intend to buy flowers.
Read more: 12 swoon-worthy dishes to make for Valentine's Day
The sentiment around the day remains strong, with 52% insisting it is worthy of celebration and just 11% believing it is too commercialised.
Asked if their other halves thought they were romantic, 65% of females said they believed they were and 63% of males claiming they would get the romantic seal of approval from their partners.
"It's heartening to see that romance is still alive this Valentine’s Day, despite the restrictions we’re facing on a day we usually treat ourselves to a night out or some time away with our partner," said Julie Hastings, Marketing Director of Hastings Hotels.
"But like so many special occasions we’ve had to miss, we’re making the most of the situation, either by cooking a special meal or booking a break away."
Read more: 8 Irish restaurant offering Valentine's Day experiences
When asked to reflect on their first kiss, both sexes were left cringing at the memory, with one in ten rating it "horrible" – it should be noted that there were twice as many women as men describing it this way.
Most people were aged between 14 and 18 when they had their first kiss (58%), but it wasn't necessarily a memorable moment according to the data.
Just over 11% do not recall the first time they locked lips, with half saying they "vaguely" remember it. However, 8% claim to recollect it in exact detail – from where it was and what they were wearing to what music was being played.
16,000 people took part in the online survey from Jan 25 to 28.
