I Tried To Meet The Love Of My Life During The Solar Eclipse & It Was As Difficult As You'd Imagine

Not since 1979 has North America been privy to a total solar eclipse. Although, if we get specific, that one was mostly visible only in the Northeast. This one, however, was seen by most of the United States as its path stretched from Oregon to South Carolina, meaning those two states and Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina in between will really get the best view. It isn't just exciting to see, but the solar eclipse can have a major effect on us — and I'm not just talking about the emotional aspect that comes with eclipses. They can also be a great chance to find a new love.

Solar eclipses are the perfect time to start something new. Whether that be a new relationship, a new career, a new outlook on life, or using this eclipse's energy to help you make some big decisions, solar eclipses are ideal for that. Either way, you can't lose, even if that damn Mercury is in retrograde yet again.

"Whether you are single or in a relationship, be on the lookout for positive changes in your dating life — if you are single, that could mean you meet someone new when you are least expecting it, have better conversations with a potential romantic partner, and/or experience closer connections in general," Shannon Smith, dating expert at Plenty of Fish, tells Bustle. "As a symbol of new beginnings, a solar eclipse also offers a great opportunity to try something outside of your comfort zone when it comes to dating. If you are normally a bit shy, change things up by sending that first message on a dating app, or strike up a conversation while waiting in line for a coffee."

So because there's no denying the positive effects of the solar eclipse, I decided I was going to use it to my advantage. How? By trying to find someone new to date — or have a relationship with, or love, or run off to Vegas with to get hitched this weekend.

The Experiment

Find love by any means possible. Well, within reason, of course. Since the solar eclipse only lasted a couple hours, with the peak being at 2:45 p.m., I had my work cut out for me.

Technique 1: I Got On Tinder

Truth be told I've never used Tinder while I've been home in New York City. I think I have this irrational fear of coming across someone I know or, even worse, coming across someone I know who happens to be married or in a serious relationship with one of my friends. But, irrational fears aside, I logged back in, posted a couple photos, wrote up a bio that was appropriate for today, and got to swiping. I even let myself be less picky than usual, which meant not passing on a seemingly cool guy simply because he's a musician (been there, done that) or a writer (because two writers make a wrong, in my opinion).

I'd say I swiped right somewhere between 30 and 40 times within the first 20 minutes.

Technique 2: I Went Out Looking For Love

After I started swiping, I figured I should take my swiping out on the streets so I could multi-task. As you can see, I don't look like much of a happy camper here, but I really am. I was just aggravated with the mirror. That being said, I went to Duane Reade, hoping to start a conversation there with some random guy (and because I needed Band-Aids), but it was surprisingly empty. After that, I went to a wine bar not far from my apartment. Although it wasn't entirely empty with people sitting at tables, I was the only one sitting at the bar — sitting at the bar is usually a great place to meet people — and no one else in there seemed to care that I was there looking hot as AF in my new Italian shoes. So I continued to swipe right while hoping someone would come in that would looked interesting enough that we could have a chat.

Technique 3: I Pulled Out My Conversation-Starting Material

For starters, my canvas bag has the following John Waters' quote on it: "If you go home with somebody and they don't have books, don't f*ck 'em." Definitely a conversation starter. At least that's what I would think. But since no one would comment on my bag, I brought out my homemade pinhole projector that I made specifically to watch the eclipse. Although the female bartender asked, "Is that one of those things to watch the eclipse?" No one else seemed to care. (What is wrong with everyone? I'm ready for love, dammit!)

Technique 4: I Took To The Streets

Since there were a decent amount of people outside around 3 p.m., slightly after the eclipse's peak, I thought I'd go out there with my homemade pinhole projector. Instead of ample men to choose from, I saw a lot of couples and families with their little kids. But before I shook my head and wandered home, I tried my homemade projector, was a bit disappointed, then got a taco for the walk back to my place. I also still didn't have a single Tinder match, which didn't make sense considering Libras were supposed to "embrace collaboration" during the eclipse and, as a Libra, I interpreted that as two people coming together to collaborate on love, or at the very least, sex.

My Conclusion

Love is dead. No! I'm kidding! But you know what is dead? Brooklyn and Tinder on a Monday afternoon. I'm starting to think I probably should have gone to the Lower East Side in Manhattan instead, because I would have definitely had more success in a bar over there, simply because there would be more people.

But what I realized is that trying to find the love of your life or even just someone new during a two-hour chunk of time isn't exactly feasible. And, believe me, I tried. I made eye contact with strangers and smiled and everything — which is extremely difficult for me. Luckily, the effects of the solar eclipse are supposed to last a couple more days, so I plan to keep my Tinder profile up a little longer and really put myself out there at a friend's birthday party I'm going to tomorrow night. I also realized that I was holding my pinhole projector the wrong way (no surprise), so that would explain why I didn't see much. Good thing while I was out and about, the leaves on the trees made for great natural pinhole projectors, as NPR said they would, so I saw these lovely crescents on the sidewalk (above). So not all was lost.