Relationship advices: Dating and Starting Relationships

I'm an 18-year-old woman, and I feel like my boyfriend, who is 31, hates me. Can anyone offer some advice?

I've been seeing this guy for about two months, and everything was going wonderfully until recently. Lately, he seems a bit distant and less affectionate than he used to be. I'm starting to wonder if I've done something to change how he feels or if his feelings were genuine from the beginning. He is still the same incredible person, but the warmth and love that he used to show me has diminished, and it makes me feel sad because I crave that connection. I'm eager to find ways to improve our relationship. I'd like to communicate with him about this, but I could really use some advice. Any suggestions on how to approach this or what I could do to make things better?

Feeling torn about whether to move on from this dating phase due to my need for healing from past experiences.

I've been seeing a guy who's 19 for a few months now, and everything seems great on the surface. We get along really well, have no arguments, and communicate openly. However, he recently told me that he's not quite ready for a more serious relationship, like spending more time together. He mentioned he's still worried about healing from his past relationship. This leaves me in a tough position because I’m unsure whether to continue dating him or to walk away now to avoid potential heartache in the future. I genuinely like him a lot, but I also know I need to prioritize my own peace of mind. I'm really conflicted about what to do next.

Should I express my love to the person I'm in a situationship with?

Here's the revised text: "A bit of background: I’m 22 and this guy, also 22, has been in a relationship since November 2024; it’s now March 2025. We both recently exited long-term relationships—he was in one for 3 years, and I had a 5-year relationship. He’s expressed that he’s not ready for a full-fledged relationship because his past ones moved too quickly, and he often found himself regretting his decisions a few months in. He’s determined not to make that mistake again, which I understand and appreciate. Personally, I feel ready for a relationship. I’m not someone who approaches things half-heartedly; I’m all in or not at all. Still, I’m willing to wait for him to be ready. I’ve never felt so safe, heard, and understood by anyone before. He brings out my inner child, making me feel joyful and protected. He cares deeply, makes me laugh, and is genuinely one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever met. I’m head over heels in love with him, and it feels intense. I want to tell him how I feel, but should I hold back? Could it scare him off? Is he possibly wasting my time? Should I consider moving on before I become more attached? I also want to add that our connection is incredibly strong; it feels like we can read each other's thoughts."

I’m an 18-year-old male, and I've recently come to the realization that I have feelings for a friend of mine, who is also 18 and female. I'm unsure about what steps to take next.

I've known my friend since freshman year of high school. Initially, I had some feelings for her, but they were fleeting. Toward the end of that year, I started dating someone else, and we were together for a while, but we broke up recently in November. Lately, my friend and I have been talking more, and I've started to develop feelings for her again. However, there's a complication: she was friends with my ex, and I'm not sure if they still are. I'm really concerned about jeopardizing our friendship because that's the last thing I want. I'm feeling uncertain about what to do, and I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

The Period When an Unfamiliar Girl Began Following Me

A few months after leaving my coaching center, something unexpected unfolded. A girl I hardly knew—someone I'd seen just once—began stalking my Instagram account. She liked my posts, engaged with my stories, and constantly showed up in my notifications. Though I didn’t know her name, I recognized her from her profile picture. Initially, I brushed it off. But soon enough, my mind began racing. Did she have a crush on me? Was this some sort of challenge? Or was she just playing games? Then it got even stranger—one of her friends also started following my account. Things were beginning to feel a bit fishy. Rather than trying to unravel the situation, I blocked both of them. However, later I wondered if I might have overreacted, so I unblocked them and moved on. Then one day, a friend of mine, who was still at that coaching center, approached me with some news. "Hey, some girls were talking about you today," he said. I was puzzled. "What did they say?" "I'll tell you tomorrow," he replied mysteriously. The next day, we met again, and he finally shared the details. Apparently, one of those girls, whom I’ll refer to as D, had been mentioning me. She talked about my Instagram stories, and according to my friend, she actually liked me. This was the same girl who had been stalking my account. But here’s the twist—D was too shy to speak up herself. She was blushing and hesitant, so her friend initially did the talking. Eventually, D found her voice too. That’s when things took a turn. My friend started teasing me, saying, "Bro, you’ve got a girlfriend now!" I was completely taken aback. "No, no, no, NO!" I exclaimed. This kind of scenario was completely foreign to me. The craziest part? I wasn't even experiencing this firsthand—I was just hearing it all from my friend, which made it even more perplexing. Now, about D’s friend… Before my friend joined the coaching center, D’s friend had approached me randomly and asked, "Will you be my friend?" It caught me so off guard that I didn’t take her seriously. At that time, I was rather immature, and instead of considering how my words might affect her, I just roasted her. I didn’t fully grasp the weight of my comment back then. Then things took another strange turn. D’s friend seemed to always be involved in these situations, but I could never quite figure out her motives. We also had our share of minor spats. Nothing serious, just playful exchanges where she’d say something to a teacher, and I’d roast her in return. Just typical banter. At first, I didn’t let any of this bother me. I had no feelings for D. But after a few days… something shifted. And that’s where Part 2 begins. If you want to hear the next part, let me know—because this story is far from finished.

I'm a 19-year-old female and he's a 20-year-old male. I'm uncertain about whether I shouldEnd our 'situation' or not.

I (19F) unexpectedly met a guy (20M) who started following me, and we quickly became friends. After a year, I had the opportunity to visit his country (we live in different ones). Our first meeting felt purely platonic, just as friends. By the second meeting, I sensed that he was developing feelings for me. During our third meeting, he confessed his feelings, and from that point on, we started dating up until my last day before I flew back home. Before I left, he made it clear that he wanted to see how things would go with the three-hour time difference between us. When I got back home, he initially stayed active and engaged, chatting with me despite his busy schedule. We had two calls while I was away for two weeks. I understood that he might not be able to talk all the time due to his commitments. However, recently he barely initiates conversation anymore. He only messages me for updates, and we haven’t called again because he’s always busy. It feels like he’s losing interest, which frustrates me because he was the one who wanted this relationship, yet he’s not putting in any effort.

I'm a 21-year-old woman and I've developed feelings for my brother's friend, who is 25. I'm not sure if he's being polite or if he sees me as a good friend.

I've known my brother's friend for quite some time now. Instead of considering us friends, I would say I'm simply aware of his existence, and he feels the same way. However, recently, my brother has been inviting my sister and me to join him when he hangs out with his friends. I must admit, it's intriguing to meet someone whose tastes align so closely with mine that we even have matching items. To keep it brief, during these hangouts, I started noticing him more, and before I realized it, I found myself developing feelings for him. He is incredibly thoughtful and attentive—he remembers the little things I mention, listens to me, offers genuine advice based on his own experiences, and spends time with me when my brother is busy with the others. Even as someone who has never really fallen for anyone before, I could tell I was falling hard for him because of his sincere personality. I've been trying hard to engage with him by sliding into his DMs and initiating small conversations every chance I get. I believe we're making progress; we talk occasionally, and sometimes he even sends me pictures of what he's up to. Naturally, as someone who's smitten, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope from his kind and considerate behavior, especially since I think I've made it clear I pay special attention to him. So, Reddit, I could really use your advice. Is it foolish of me to hope for a relationship with him?

I’m a 20-year-old guy, and I'm really into my 21-year-old girlfriend, but I'm unsure how to handle my feelings.

The term "obsessed" might have a negative connotation, but it truly captures how I feel. Whenever I see her, my urge to shower her with love is overwhelming. I can't resist it. Her every action drives me wild—when we share a meal, I find myself captivated by her; when we're watching a movie or a show, my thoughts drift to how deeply I love her, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. She’s caught me staring many times, and I usually brush it off by saying I was just lost in thought. I find myself wanting to connect with her at every moment. When she falls asleep first, I often re-read our old messages, thinking of her and smiling like a lovesick teenager. Should I share these feelings with her? What if she thinks it's too much? We've been together for a year, and I don’t want to jeopardize what we have.

I'm feeling a bit anxious about meeting a boy who's 18.

Apologies for the strange title; I couldn't find the right words! I've been chatting with this guy for just over 40 days (41, to be exact), and we've set a date to meet in two days. The catch is that he lives two hours away, and I’ll be the one driving. At first, I was really excited about our meeting, but when we finalized the details, I suddenly felt overwhelmed. My instinct was to block him (which I haven't done), but now I'm just apprehensive. I think it's just the nerves and the long drive playing tricks on me, but I'm unsure about what to do next. Should I push past my anxiety and go through with it? I’m sure we’ll have a great time, but I can’t shake this feeling of nervousness.

Seeking Guidance [M22]

I'm a 22-year-old male who has a crush on a classmate who's 22. In the past, she would reach out to me for information about exams and help with projects. She even suggested meeting for coffee or going to the beach a few times, but I turned her down because I was worried I would develop feelings for her and that she only viewed me as a friend. Last month, she texted me, wanting to meet at the university, but since I recently graduated, I told her I no longer go there. She then asked if we could meet at a cafe or if she could come to my place. Now, I'm really confused about what this means. So, does she see me as more than just a friend? What should I do in this situation? Does she like me? Should I tell her about my feelings?

Should I expect answers? [f25, m30]

Sure! Here's a revised version of your text: "Alright, here’s the situation: I [25F] met this guy [30M], and our conversations were really natural and enjoyable. We hooked up a few times before heading off to our separate travels. We were chatting a ton after parting ways—long paragraphs flying back and forth for an entire month! Then one day, he just stopped responding. He had mentioned before that one of his red flags is that he’s not the best at keeping in touch, so I remembered that. True to form, he went quiet for a day or two, but when he did reply, his messages were detailed because he likes to take his time to read and respond thoughtfully (definitely a green flag). Fast forward to today: I couldn't stop thinking about him, so I shot him a quick message saying, 'Hope you’re well x.' Within a day, he replied with, ‘Hiii! Sorry for the long silence x. I’m doing alright! Back home—*insert personal details here*—How have you been? What have you been up to? 😍🥰 I really miss our talks!’ Honestly, I thought I was getting ghosted, and part of me still feels that way. Do I have the right to understand what happened during that month of silence? We were talking so much! One of my girlfriends insists that he doesn’t owe me anything since we’re not in a relationship and he has his own life. However, my male friend argues that I deserve an explanation since we were communicating every day. It’s only humane, and now I’m left questioning whether I’m good enough for him or what else might be going on. So, I'm looking for some opinions on this situation."

[19M] Looking for some honest advice!

Hello! I'm from India, and one thing that often holds us back from initiating conversations with women is the high moral standards instilled in us during childhood. Here's the main part of my story: Back in 2021, when I was in 11th grade, a girl joined my tuition class. She was pretty and down-to-earth, but I had no idea how to talk to her because, honestly, I was pretty inexperienced back then—and I still am, to some degree! 😆 I find it easy to converse with girls I feel comfortable with, but I struggle to say even a single word to someone if they don’t start the conversation. At that time, I sent her a friend request on Instagram but never interacted with her, largely due to my fear of starting a conversation. I typically prefer not to engage with girls I haven't known for long. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s still in my Instagram feed. Occasionally, she likes my stories, which are usually about general thoughts or music, not my workout photos or anything personal. Now I can't help but think about how she's likely single (99.999% sure). I really like her, but I also respect her boundaries. I hesitate to ask her out because I don't want her to feel uncomfortable or think that my only interest is physical. The thought of her rejecting me is daunting! Should I just let it go after 3-4 years of following each other on Instagram without ever really knowing if she'd be open to a relationship? How should I approach her? Could you please help me figure out the best way to express my feelings, or would it be better to move on since I don't have a deep attachment to her? I just want someone to be with, that’s all.

Did I give mixed signals, or did she?

I could use some outside perspectives because I can’t stop thinking about this. I feel completely blindsided and I’m unsure if I was misreading the signals or if she genuinely sent them my way. I work closely with a female colleague, and over time, it seemed like we built a special connection. She confides in me about personal matters that she doesn't share with anyone else—little things like her nail art, her socks, her notebooks, and even random purchases. Initially, I didn’t think much of it, but as these moments accumulated, I started to feel like I was more than just another coworker to her. We chat frequently at work—more than she does with anyone else. She laughs at my jokes, playfully teases me, and appears truly at ease around me. She has also shared some deep personal stories that she rarely discusses with other colleagues, which made me feel like our bond was significant. Eventually, I found myself contemplating the possibility of something more. At first, I wasn’t viewing her in a romantic light, but her behavior gradually made me wonder if there was potential for a deeper connection. For instance: She once mentioned wanting to see a movie on a Friday but expressed uncertainty about who she should go with—interestingly enough, it was Valentine's Day. My friends thought she might have been hinting at something, but I was uncertain. She repeatedly emphasized that she’s single, even when the topic didn’t involve relationships. That led me to think she might be giving me an opportunity to ask her out or at least gauge my interest. However, since we’re coworkers, I was reluctant to create any tension. Instead, I tried to feel things out in a subtle way. I made comments like, “I’m new here; you should show me around,” but her response was neutral. Then, out of the blue, she dropped a bombshell on me. During a light-hearted chat, she suddenly said, “This is confidential, but I’m seeing someone.” I was taken aback. I maintained my composure on the surface, but inside, I was in shock, bewildered, and completely caught off guard. I tried to play it cool, but I could hardly maintain eye contact. Now I feel as though I’ve lost a chance to be with her. I can’t tell if I misinterpreted everything or if she was genuinely giving mixed signals. And to make matters worse, I have to see her every day at work. I’m uncertain about how to behave around her now. Should I act natural and just keep it friendly? Or do I need to emotionally distance myself to avoid these feelings? Did I inaccurately fabricate the whole situation, or was she somewhat leading me on? I really need some honest feedback—was this all in my head, or did she actually toy with my emotions?

Should I, a 26-year-old man, move on and let her, a 22-year-old woman, go?

I met her (22F) on a dating app, and we both were new to relationships. For two weeks after matching, we texted constantly from morning until night before finally meeting in person. She was quite anxious, but we had a great connection and met up the next two weekends. Everything seemed wonderful; we had a lot in common, expressed how much we meant to each other, and were constantly on each other’s minds. When Valentine’s Day arrived, we hadn’t planned to meet, but I wanted to clarify if we considered ourselves in a relationship. She felt the same way, agreeing that we didn’t need an official label yet because we were already partners in our minds. Later that evening, she began feeling very anxious about our planned meet-up the next day. Knowing she struggled with anxiety, I tried to reassure her. However, she eventually decided against meeting and had a meltdown that weekend, which led to a hospital visit due to nausea caused by her anxiety. She expressed that she wasn’t ready for a relationship and needed some time. I respected her need for space and checked in occasionally. One day, she reached out in a better mood, and I mistakenly thought things were returning to normal. We even discussed future plans together, but when I asked if we were back to how we were before, she hesitated. She said she had misunderstood her feelings and wasn’t sure if she liked me romantically. While she enjoyed our time together, she was concerned that my feelings would complicate a friendship. I assured her I could manage a platonic relationship, but she ultimately decided it was best for both of us to stop communicating completely. My attempts to reach out were met with the same response: it was too overwhelming for her. Eventually, she blocked me, but on a neutral note, stating she couldn’t keep talking. I still care for her deeply and, while I understand some might suggest I respect her wishes and move on, I can't help but wonder if she believed I couldn't handle being just friends. Over the five weeks we communicated, we never crossed into intimacy, and I genuinely feel I could remain a friend without wanting anything more. I just want her back in my life; intimacy isn't necessary for me. What should I do now? Has anyone faced a similar situation? Should I let her go and try to move on? This is my first experience with these intense feelings, and I find myself wanting to keep trying, knowing it might amplify her anxiety. I believe I could show her that a friendship without romantic entanglements is possible. I’m puzzled by how she could have felt so strongly but then decide to cut off contact. I don’t think all her feelings vanished; she just realized they weren’t romantic, and I’m okay with that. Thank you for your thoughts.

How can I tell if he is truly committed? I'm [25] and he's [27].

I'm a 25-year-old woman who just ended a relationship that wasn’t right for me about two weeks ago. Let's call my ex (Chris) — he doesn’t play a major role in this story, except that I met my current boyfriend while I was still dating him. A friend introduced me to a guy named Tony, who is 27. I made it clear from the start that I was in a relationship, so I stopped messaging him. A few days later, Tony reached out to ask if we were just going to stop talking. Eventually, I decided to break things off with Chris, who was abusive, thanks to my friend's encouragement to get away from him. Now that the background is out of the way, I want to share that I'm not someone who just goes with the flow; I prefer to know where things are headed and what people's intentions are. I communicated this to Tony during our first date, and we hit it off immediately; I really like him. It's surprising for me to develop these feelings so quickly. We've been spending nearly every night together. On our second date, while we were relaxing in bed, we talked about what we wanted in relationships. He expressed some nervousness about being in a new relationship since he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do with his life. I reassured him that sometimes it's best to let life unfold naturally. However, his uncertainty made me anxious too; I didn’t want to invest in a relationship only for them to leave. When I asked him about his concerns regarding me, he said he had recently ended a relationship and didn’t want me to become overly attached after Chris. I completely understood where he was coming from and assured him that I just enjoy spending time with him. Tony asked if I was ready for a relationship, and I responded that no one is truly "ready" until the right person comes along and helps you feel that way. He said to let him know when I am ready, to which I pointed out that he's the one who's hesitant. Then, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I really like him, but I'm feeling nervous about how quickly things are progressing. I don’t want to get my hopes up based solely on the right questions being asked and the commitment being made. How did we go from discussing his reservations to him wanting to be in a relationship with me? Do men really know when they’ve found someone special?

The girl I like, who is 20, seems to be sending me mixed signals. I'm 20 as well.

Sure, here’s a revised version of your text: "Alright, so we both attend the same university. I met her over a year ago, and after a few weeks of getting to know each other, I expressed my feelings for her. However, I soon found out that she was involved with someone else, so I decided to step back. A few months later, she was no longer in that relationship, and we began talking again, albeit intermittently. I made it clear that I was interested in her and wanted something more. I also stated that if she didn’t feel the same way, we should stop communicating altogether. She often responded by saying she wasn’t ready to think about love, which led me to cut contact. When the semester ended, I didn’t reach out. But on the first day back at university, she messaged me wanting to see me. I agreed, and we hung out until it was time for our lectures. Later that day, she texted me saying that meeting up was wrong, as I had previously suggested we should stop talking. I responded that I wasn’t sure what to think. We continued texting, and she mentioned that she had been thinking about me a lot, even having a dream about me. She told her mom about me as well but then added that she wasn't certain if it was love. She said that if I were to propose to her in a few years, she wouldn't refuse, but she also mentioned that if someone else good came along before me, she might accept their proposal. (It's worth noting that we both have strong religious beliefs, which is why marriage is part of the conversation.) I’m really confused about what she wants. I'm quite mature in my approach, but she seems unsure, and that indecisiveness frustrates me. I genuinely like her and can envision a future with her, but it seems like she doesn’t share that same level of commitment. What do you think? What would you do in my situation? TL;DR: A girl says she’s been thinking about me a lot, finds me attractive, told her mom about me, and dreams about me, but she’s uncertain about her feelings and whether she wants to be with me."

What’s the best way for me (30F) to let a guy (33M) know that I like him and want to take things further?

I apologize for the length of this, but I tend to overthink things, haha. I feel a bit silly writing this, especially since I’m not as young as I used to be, but I don’t actually have much dating experience. I was in one serious relationship before, which ended poorly. Currently, I’ve been casually dating a guy I met on Hinge for about 2.5 years, and we decided from the start to keep things fun without labels. I didn’t expect to develop feelings for him, but they’ve grown stronger in recent months. Now, I’m hesitant to bring it up because I don’t want to come off as “that girl.” We usually meet up 2-3 times a month due to our busy jobs and personal lives. When we do see each other, it’s for 6+ hours, filled with intimacy, dinners, movies, and deep conversations. I feel like we’ve built a genuine connection, but I worry that he might not feel the same way and that I could just be a placeholder. Despite it being over two years since we first discussed our situation, I haven’t brought up my feelings yet. Another thing that’s been on my mind is that we both still have our Hinge profiles. I’m not very active in updating mine, but I notice that he keeps his up-to-date. Since we're not in a committed relationship, I know it's okay, but it does seem to indicate that he’s keeping his options open. I haven’t said anything about my feelings for two reasons: one, I fear it will hurt to find out that he doesn’t feel the same, and I could just be a placeholder. The thought of that is disheartening. Two, I worry that if I bring it up and discover he doesn’t feel the same, I wouldn't be able to continue seeing him. That feels like the mature thing to do, knowing I’d be hoping for something that isn't on the table, putting him in an awkward position. Plus, I’d miss the intimate moments we share—which might sound selfish, but I’m human too. I recognize I’m overthinking this, and I’m aware I might be acting immaturely. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I see a future with this man, and I really want to know how to express my feelings. TL;DR: How do I tell a guy I’m casually dating that I like him?

[23M] I agreed to go on a coffee date, but they didn't want my phone number.

I asked a girl I know if she'd like to grab coffee sometime, and she agreed, letting me know when she was available. However, when I later offered to share my phone number, she said she'd think about it. She also mentioned that with Ramadan approaching, she won't be able to drink coffee for the next few weeks. Is this her polite way of indicating that she's not interested in me?

[25M] [26F] Ladies, do you think this would be a good birthday plan if you're feeling upset with your boyfriend?

1. Begin the day with a morning hike and some outdoor activities (still deciding on the location). 2. Enjoy lunch at the Victorian English Tea Spot. 3. Gift her a beautiful jewelry set, including a necklace and earrings from Pandora. 4. Purchase concert tickets for her and a friend, just in case I'm unable to attend. 5. Treat her to a lovely dinner at a high-end antique restaurant located in a mansion. I’ll drop her off at home afterward so she can unwind and prepare, then pick her up in classic date style. 6. Head to a charming speakeasy for drinks after dinner. 7. Arrange for her friends to join us later for a fun night out. 8. Booked a cozy Airbnb for our night together (staycation style). 9. Don’t forget the flowers! 10. Prepare a heartfelt hand-drawn card along with the gifts, set up at the Airbnb for when we arrive. What do you all think? Would you ladies appreciate a day planned like this? My Valentine’s Day plans didn’t go as well as I hoped, and I really want to make it up to her and show my appreciation. Thank you! I’m open to any tips or suggestions!

Does my friend actually like me, or is it just an act? [19F]

I have this guy friend who's really shy and introverted, and we only became friends about a month ago. We started hanging out, mostly with our friends, but we've become really close. We often go home together, and sometimes when I just invite him, he immediately says yes. We joke around a lot and tease each other, and there are times when I get a little moody, but he's always sweet to me. One time, I was feeling upset, and he wasn't paying as much attention to me. That night, I dreamt about him texting me, saying, “What do I do when the person I spend time with starts to grow on me?” He also mentioned, “Someone asked me if I have a girlfriend. I don’t have one, but I told them you’re my girlfriend, and I like you.” I’m feeling really confused about everything. Please respect my feelings and this post.

First Reddit Post. [26M] Beginning to think that love might not be meant for me [27F].

This is my first time posting on Reddit, and I find myself needing advice. I’m a 26-year-old male, earning around $500k annually from a remote job. I’m physically attractive and have a good personality, having dated several beautiful women, yet I feel like I’ll never find true love. Every relationship I’ve entered seems to go wrong: - My first girlfriend had abusive parents. When I threatened to call CPS during one of their drunken episodes, I lost contact with her. - My second girlfriend lived about four hours away. While she was a great person, it was clear she still had feelings for her ex. I ended things, and within two weeks, she was back with him and now engaged. - My third relationship was intense, but she left me for a 43-year-old sugar daddy after accusing me of cheating, citing old messages from before we started dating. - With my fourth girlfriend, we spent time together, including her meeting my family. But a month later, I found out she was engaged to someone else. - My most recent girlfriend claimed she fell out of love. We had a long-distance relationship, and after minimal contact following a wedding we attended, she told me she no longer loved me. I started talking to another girl a few weeks ago, but she ghosted me two days ago after regular texting and FaceTiming. At this point, I worry I will never find love. I’m focused on my work, owning my own business, but I always made time for my partners when I had them. My days revolve around the gym and work. Despite earning well, I feel an emptiness inside. I used to be unconcerned about marriage and focused on my career success. Recently, I’ve become confident in my professional achievements but doubtful about finding a compatible partner. As my business rapidly grows, with the potential to make $1M a year by 2026, I fear I may never meet someone who loves me for who I am rather than what I have. The cycle of failed relationships is draining, making me reluctant to pursue dating anymore since it seems destined to fail. I can’t help but question if I’m the problem, as I’ve always treated my girlfriends with respect and they all speak well of me. TL;DR: Am I too nice? Am I seeking the wrong kind of people? Should I just focus on my career and adopt children from a developing country? Is it wrong to think my dating experiences will just continue to repeat?

Am I being judgmental towards a 36-year-old man who has no dating experience?

Recently, I met someone new, and after spending a short time getting to know him, I discovered he has no previous relationship experience. In contrast, I've been in relationships since I was 21. This difference in experience concerns me, and his lack of familiarity is making me feel uneasy. Am I being unreasonable? Additionally, I haven't dated many guys who have treated me well, so I'm making an effort to seek out different types of guys than I usually do.

I (21M) sense that she (23F) is becoming a bit distant. How should I address this?

We connected online through Instagram, and despite being distant relatives, we hadn’t actually met in person. As we started texting, we discovered numerous shared interests such as music and movies. Our bond grew stronger, and I felt a deep connection with her. We exchanged memes and reels constantly, especially about a month after we began talking. Communication became a daily routine for us, with both of us showing mutual interest. About three months in, I began to sense that she had feelings for me based on our conversations and interactions, though we had never explicitly said we loved each other. One day, she shared stories about a past crush and how it ended, prompting me to ask a rather foolish question: “What are we?” At that time, I believed we were on the verge of something deeper. She responded by saying we were close friends still getting to know one another. In my attempt to express my feelings, I almost revealed that I thought I might fall in love with her. She acknowledged that we shared something special but felt it wouldn't work due to our different life paths. She was unsure of what she wanted from our relationship and wasn’t ready for anything serious because of her past trauma. I accepted her perspective but was concerned that we shouldn’t sabotage the potential of what could develop between us if we kept insisting it wouldn’t work. Following this conversation, things took a slight downturn; we still communicated daily, but I sensed a shift. Some days she seemed distant while other days she was warm and engaging. We had planned a group trip with our friends. When we finally met, she treated me like an acquaintance, which felt strange and disappointing in a social setting. However, we shared a passionate moment when we were alone on the trip. In the days following, her texting became noticeably less enthusiastic, which I sensed was deliberate. A week after our trip, she questioned whether she had been leading me on. We both acknowledged that we liked each other but weren’t ready for a relationship, and it became clear that we hadn’t clearly defined our expectations. At that point, I recognized that while there was mutual attraction, love was not in the equation for either of us. I still wanted to keep texting and spending time together as we used to. We continued our daily chats, but it fluctuated between warmth and coldness over the next few weeks, and we even made plans to meet again. In the last ten days, she has become noticeably more distant. Where she used to send me numerous reels daily, now it’s dropped to just one or two, if that. She has become less responsive and seems less interested in fostering conversation. This change has been troubling for me. I’ve tried to match her energy and act unbothered, deciding against addressing her reduced communication—though now I worry it could backfire, as she might expect me to bring it up. I suspect she might think I have deeper feelings for her, which has led to some misunderstandings about my feelings. I want to have an open conversation about where we stand, but I’m unsure how to approach this without risking further complications. I can’t tell if she’s genuinely losing interest or if her distant behavior is intentional. How should I address this shift in our communication, if at all?

I'm a 25-year-old man, and my coworker is a 25-year-old woman whom I really like. What should I do? Read below for more details.

I've developed a strong crush on a coworker from a different department at our animal shelter. She's truly one of my favorite people; she puts up with my antics, which I appreciate so much! She's adorable, and watching her interact with animals is simply amazing. Every time I hear her laugh, I can't help but blush because she's just that awesome. I'm a bit torn because some coworkers have suggested that I ask her out since we'd make a cute couple. The truth is, I genuinely really like her and know she's single. We've hung out once outside of work, and it's been about a year since I've known her. What do you all think? The reality is, we don't have much in common outside of our love for animals and some music preferences. I'm really into sports, and she doesn't watch any at all. Should I take the plunge and ask her out? I'm [25M], and she's [25F].

What can I do to prevent the 'right person, wrong time' scenario with [25M]?

I’m feeling a bit heartbroken as I write this—it's a situation I truly hoped to avoid. It’s complicated because there’s no cheating or wrongdoing involved; it’s just that some issues have come up. I [24F] recently connected with C [25M] on a dating app, and we hit it off wonderfully. Our sense of humor is awful, we share a love for the same food and music, and we both have unique hobbies that complement each other well. We've been on about five dates so far, and we've agreed to keep seeing each other weekly or more. So things have been going quite well. The issue? C is graduating soon. We met while he was in college, but I’ll be moving back home this summer as he relocates for work across the country. He’ll return to graduate, but after that, he’s off indefinitely due to his commitments in the Navy. For Valentine’s Day, I realized we needed to have an honest discussion about how we can make this work. We’ve touched on it before, but I wanted a complete conversation. It went pretty much as I expected. We both agreed that trying to figure this out in three months will be challenging. I asked him if there's any chance of making it work, stressing that I’m not just a temporary fling. (We’ve been intimate but haven’t gone all the way yet.) He said there’s always a possibility for us, assuring me that I’ve never just been a passing thing for him. We agreed that we can ease off the physical side for now and continue to date casually. I mentioned that I've enjoyed this laid-back approach. Past experiences have left me wary of losing attraction, so compatibility is a big deal for me. His main concern is that he might hold me back. I told him that our relationship has been refreshing, motivating me to do better, and he seemed pleased by that. He’s been in a couple of past relationships that ended because his partners couldn’t handle his Navy commitments. They were demanding and toxic, and he’s still healing from that. He mentioned that every girl he’s had this discussion with has disappeared quickly, and he wouldn’t be surprised if I did too. I teased him about how surprised he’d be when I don’t ghost him, and he chuckled, telling me to wait and see. Honestly, I’m at a loss about what to do next. We feel so right together, and I genuinely hope I can make this work. The next few years will be tough, but I think it’s worth it if he wants to keep me in his life. What should I do from here? I’m considering keeping things consistent and continuing to see him. We’ve gone to dinner, enjoyed ice cream, watched movies at his place, and we’re loosely planning a hike when our schedules allow. We’ve also made casual plans where I read while he studies. I asked if he’s seeing anyone else, and he said he’s talking to a couple of people, but I’m the one he feels closest to. I trust him not to lie about this since there was nothing to gain from being dishonest. In short, C [25M] and I [24F] are getting along really well. His career is about to take him away, and I want to establish our relationship before he leaves.

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