Photo by Good Faces Agency/Unsplash
Audio By Carbonatix
Another year is in the books, and boy was it…something. Let’s reflect. In 2025, Miami led the country in sign-ups for a dating app that helps users cheat on their partners, was named the most unaffordable city in the nation for dining out (as if dating wasn’t stressful enough already), and ranked high for being obsessed with beauty routines and cosmetic procedures. (Hey, at least we look good while treating our mistresses to $100 spaghetti.)
Okay, so we have a reputation, especially when it comes to dating. If you are one of the many Miami singles who struggled with being ghosted, gaslit, love-bombed, or breadcrumbed this year, you definitely aren’t alone (just ask all the nice folks on Reddit).
Despite all the noise, though, I will die on the hill that Miami is a great place to live, with plenty of opportunities for finding love. In the last year, we’ve seen local singles spending less time on the apps and more time making quality connections IRL. We had conversations with experts about how positivity can make all the difference in dating, about the importance of sexual health for both men and women, and about how healthy boundaries can lead to better relationships down the road.
A recent analysis even named Miami the best place in the U.S for singles (though our readers reacted with skepticism). We get it, but we also think it’s possible to make the most of dating in this city. That’s why, with help from some of our local love experts, we’ve compiled a list of New Year’s dating resolutions to help us bid goodbye to these toxic traits in 2026.
Miami, make your New Year’s Resolution Count!
We’re $15,000 away from our End-of-Year campaign goal, with just a couple of days left! We’re ready to deliver — but we need the resources to do it right. If Miami New Times matters to you, please contribute today to help us expand our current events coverage when it’s needed most.
Case Kenny
Mindfulness expert and author of The Opposite of Settling
Stop normalizing confusing dating behavior: “In 2026, let’s stop excusing mixed signals, emotional ambiguity, or inconsistency as part of modern dating. Hold out for the kind of love where you don’t need a therapist and two friends to translate their last message.”
Don’t “settle down.” Settle up instead: “The idea that commitment equals less freedom, less excitement, or less life needs to disappear. In 2026, we prioritize relationships that bring more — more laughter, more curiosity, more independence, and more peace. The right relationship makes your world feel bigger, not smaller.”
Dr. Carolina Pataky
Cofounder of the Miami-based Love Discovery Institute
Create boundaries with intention (especially around exes): “One of the biggest patterns I see is people leaving emotional ‘open loops,’ especially when it comes to unsolicited texts from exes. A powerful resolution for 2026 is learning to set intentional boundaries that protect emotional clarity. Miami’s dating culture moves fast, but slowing down enough to ask, “Is this contact supporting my growth?” can make all the difference.”
Start looking for green flags, not just the absence of red ones: “Too many singles date from a place of avoidance, trying not to repeat past mistakes instead of actively seeking healthy, affirming behaviors. A meaningful resolution is to shift into a ‘green flag mindset,’ intentionally noticing emotional availability, consistency, kindness, and curiosity. These are the early signs of partners who can truly sustain a healthy relationship.”
Dr. Justin Dubin
Local urologist and men’s health specialist
Stop taking men’s health advice from influencers: If No Nut November has taught us anything, it’s that loud people on microphones don’t always give the best health advice. Dr. Dubin says that, when it comes to sexual health, the most important person you should listen to is your partner.
“One key for all men, and I think this definitely goes in Miami, is that we are not good at communicating — especially when it comes to our likes and dislikes — or listening to our partners — especially in the bedroom. If you are a guy and you want to be a better partner, or if you want to please your partner in the bedroom, ask and communicate. See what they like, see what they don’t like.”
Dr. Mindy DeSeta
Miami-based sexologist and relationship therapist
Be true to your relationship standards: “Do not be afraid of being too picky or choosy. Embrace what you desire in a partner and hold true to that. Having realistic standards is empowering. By the second or third date, you will know if they mostly meet your relationship goals. If they are missing the mark, it is okay to move on to the next.”
Terminate toxic relationships: Every relationship in your life affects your self-esteem, mood, and productivity. If you want to reduce stress, advance your career, and feel more confident, it’s time to let go of toxic relationships. Whether these relationships are romantic or not, they still have a significant impact. Letting go of toxic relationships frees up mental energy and creates space for new relationships with people who uplift and inspire you.”
