It’s been a year since Trump took office again. How you doin’?

It’s the one-year anniversary of the first day of Trump’s second presidential term, and for many people, this is a hard, hard day. With all the nostalgic “Let’s look back at 2016!” trends taking over socials, it’s hard to look at our current world with rose-tinted glasses – especially on this day.

So if your answer to “How are you coping with the state of the world right now?” is a long stare, a helpless shrug, or a bitter laugh – well, you’re not alone.

For many people, especially women and marginalised communities, the past year has brought a steady undercurrent of stress. Rights that once felt secure now feel conditional. Conversations about bodily autonomy, gender, race, migration, and freedom have moved from abstract debates to lived realities. That kind of background noise takes a toll on mental health, even if your day-to-day life looks mostly the same from the outside. And when you’re carrying that weight, dating and enjoying someone else’s company can feel… Complicated.

Dating requires a certain amount of openness and optimism. You need to be willing to meet someone where they are and be curious to see what unfolds. But it’s hard to summon that energy when you’re worried that a casual drink could turn into a values minefield. You might be wondering whether the person across the table believes you deserve the same human rights they do, and “keeping it light” can seem impossible because the stakes suddenly feel very, very real.

For some people, the response has been to step back entirely. To pause dating, not because they don’t want connection, but because they’re tired. Emotionally, mentally, and politically exhausted. For others, dating has become more intentional and more filtered. Fewer “let’s see what happens” matches, more “we need to be aligned on the big stuff before I even leave the house.”

And guess what? Neither approach is wrong.

What we’re seeing, both culturally and on dating apps, is a shift. Values matter more. Safety, in every sense of the word, matters more. People are less willing to compromise on core beliefs, and that includes beliefs about autonomy, equality, and human rights. That can shrink the dating pool, yes. But it can also make the connections that do happen feel more grounded and real.

Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither does dating. If the world feels heavier, dating will too. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re responding normally to an abnormal amount of pressure.

At HUD App, we don’t believe dating should require you to park your values at the door! Casual dating can still be thoughtful, and fun can coexist with boundaries. And opting out for a while – a short while or a long while (like, the duration of this presidential term) can be just as healthy as opting in.

So if it’s been a year and you’re feeling wary, cautious, or just plain exhausted, you’re not broken. You’re simply sensitive to the realities of the time we’re living in, and your mind and body are paying attention and telling you to look after yourself.

Check in with yourself, date when it feels right, and take breaks when it doesn’t. Choose people who see your humanity as non-negotiable. We’re all doing our best right now, and that’s always good enough, even when the world itself isn’t especially kind.