Modern dating can sometimes feel exhausting.

Between dating apps, endless advice online and the pressure to "find your person", it's easy to wonder whether meeting someone has become more complicated than ever.

In a recent WBUR On Point interview, comedian and podcaster Jared Freid offered a refreshingly down-to-earth perspective on dating.

His message? We often overthink it. As he says:

"Dating advice is really like diet and exercise. It's not that interesting. It's really pretty simple."  

Here are three simple lessons from the podcast that really resonated with us at A Table For Six.

1. Show Up

Many of us approach dating the same way we approach our careers or other goals - we're looking for a plan that guarantees success.

But relationships don't work like that.

There isn't a checklist that will lead you to the perfect partner. Instead, dating is about meeting people, having conversations and learning more about yourself along the way.

The most successful daters aren't necessarily the ones with the perfect strategy. They're the ones who show up, stay open, curious and willing to put themselves in situations where genuine connections can happen.

That's one of the reasons A Table For Six dinners work so well.

Rather than spending hours scrolling through profiles, you simply share a meal with five new people and enjoy the conversation. Every dinner is an opportunity to meet someone interesting and sometimes those conversations lead to something much more.

2. Slow Down

One of Jared's best observations is that modern dating often encourages us to chase numbers rather than connections.

Whether it's tonnes of matches, likes or messages, it's easy to feel that more is better.

But as he points out:

"You're not looking for matches when you should be looking for a good match."

It's a simple idea, but an important one.

A great relationship rarely comes from trying to meet everyone.

It comes from slowing down long enough to notice the people you genuinely enjoy spending time with.

At A Table For Six, we deliberately keep our dinners small. Six people around one table creates the perfect environment for relaxed conversation and authentic connection.

You don't need hundreds of matches.

You only need one meaningful one.

3. Relax into Real Conversations

Despite the popularity of dating apps, Jared believes we shouldn't underestimate the value of meeting people through everyday life.

He encourages singles to build connections through friends, acquaintances and shared experiences because that's often where the strongest relationships begin.

We couldn't agree more.

There's something special about sitting around a dinner table with people you've never met before. Without phones, swiping or carefully crafted profiles, people relax into real conversations.

Sometimes you'll meet someone you'd like to see again.

Sometimes you'll make a new friend.

Sometimes you'll simply enjoy a fantastic evening out.

All of those outcomes are worthwhile.

In a world that's increasingly digital, sharing a meal together remains one of the most natural ways to connect.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the podcast is that dating doesn't have to be as complicated as we sometimes make it. Finding the right person takes time, but it doesn't require a perfect strategy.

Show up.

Be open.

Enjoy meeting new people.

Focus on quality rather than quantity.

And remember that meaningful relationships often begin with something very simple - a good conversation.

At A Table For Six, that's exactly what we aim to create. Every dinner is an opportunity to step away from the apps, meet interesting people face-to-face and discover that sometimes the best connections happen when you least expect them.