Welcome back to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we strive to become better versions of ourselves every day. I’m your host, Victor, and today’s episode is all about the ups and downs of dating and how we can learn from our past experiences.

Are you single or in a complicated marital status? Trust me, I’ve been there too. Finding love can be a daunting task, whether you’re single or “available.” Today, I want to share my own journey through the world of dating apps, and how it has changed my perspective on love and personal growth.

Like many others, I’ve tried my fair share of dating apps - Tinder, Coffee Meets Bagel, OkCupid, Hinge, you name it. The concept seems simple enough - swipe left to reject, swipe right to connect. But as we all know, most conversations end before they even begin, leaving us with untold stories.

On my dating profile, I proudly mention my three university degrees, each tied to a story. Now, they may not seem like a big deal - just three stories, right? But these stories shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally.

Let’s start with my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. Back in high school, I was a dreamer, involved in student union activities, while my then-girlfriend was more focused on academic excellence. We had different ambitions, and after high school, we went our separate ways. I pursued Chemistry, she enrolled in business school. During a summer holiday, she broke up with me, citing my lack of ambition for our future. It was a wake-up call. “Come on, Victor, can you be more mature?” she chided before walking away.

Fast forward to my master’s degree in Computer Science. My first girlfriend was right all along. After my low-paying lab job, I embarked on a working holiday to Australia. When I returned, I decided to shift careers to software engineering. To bridge the gap between my academic background and my new career, I pursued a master’s degree in computer science. During this period, I met another girlfriend on a dating app. An extrovert, she earned more than I did and found my controlling nature too much to handle. And once again, the words echoed, “Come on, Victor, can you be more mature?” And I had to let her go.

Finally, there’s my MBA. Determined for a career change, I stepped out of my comfort zone to start an MBA program. Networking became a part of my life, and yes, that often involved some late-night drinks. It was during this time that I dated a Korean woman whose age I never quite determined. She left me, stating that I wasn’t mature enough for her taste. “Come on, Victor, can you be more mature?” she advised before exiting my life.

So here I am, back on dating apps, but with a newfound self-awareness. I used to be a dreamer, but now I’m pragmatic. I used to be introverted, but now I’ve overcome my shyness to share this story with you. And most importantly, I used to be immature in relationships, but now I strive to be a responsible adult.

So, would you swipe left or right on me? Well, that’s up to you. But for me, this journey has been about continuous improvement and learning from past experiences. Dating taught me not only about love but also about personal growth.

Remember, each relationship, each experience, is an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. By acknowledging our past mistakes, we can become better partners and better individuals.

That’s all for today’s episode of Continuous Improvement. Thanks for tuning in. Remember, love and personal growth go hand in hand. Until next time, keep swiping and keep improving.