boundaries | Dating Dave

Why People Stay in Relationships That Make Them Unhappy

January 18, 2026

From the outside, it’s easy to say, “Why don’t they just leave?” From the inside, it’s far more complicated. People stay in unhappy relationships for many reasons, and most of them have nothing to do with weakness. One major reason is hope. Hope that things will go back to how they were. [...]

The Subtle Ways People Avoid Commitment Without Saying So

January 18, 2026

Not everyone who avoids commitment says “I’m not ready.” Many people avoid commitment quietly, politely, and convincingly. They show interest, they stay connected, they even talk about the future — but nothing ever quite solidifies. If you’ve ever felt like you were close to something [...]

Why Attraction Alone Is Never Enough

January 18, 2026

Attraction is often what brings two people together, but it’s rarely what keeps them together. And yet, so many people stay stuck in relationships or situationships because the attraction feels intense, familiar, or hard to replace. When chemistry is strong, it can override logic, boundaries, and [...]

Why “Matching Energy” Can Quietly Ruin Good Connections

January 18, 2026

“Match their energy” sounds like solid advice. Don’t overgive. Don’t chase. Don’t invest more than the other person. In theory, it protects you from imbalance. In practice, it often turns dating into a silent standoff where no one leads and nothing grows. The problem is that energy [...]

The Difference Between Protecting Your Heart and Building Emotional Walls

January 18, 2026

A lot of people say they’re “guarded” because they’ve been hurt before. That makes sense. Pain teaches caution. But there’s a fine line between protecting your heart and building walls so high that nothing healthy can get in. And many people cross that line without realising it. [...]

Why Dating After 35 Can Feel Misleading

January 18, 2026

Dating after 35 can feel like you’re playing a game where the rules keep changing and everyone pretends they’re not. The messaging is confusing. One side says, “Never settle, your person is out there.” Another side says, “The good ones are taken.” People swing between hope and cynicism, [...]

How To Decide When It’s Time To Break Up

January 18, 2026

One of the hardest relationship questions isn’t “Do I love them?” It’s “Is this good for me?” Because love can survive in unhealthy places for a long time. People stay because they remember the best moments, they fear starting over, or they don’t want to hurt someone. And then they [...]

The Echo Chamber of Modern Dating Advice

January 18, 2026

There’s a strange thing happening in dating right now: people aren’t just dating, they’re also constantly “learning how to date” from short, punchy advice online. And some of it is genuinely helpful. But a lot of it isn’t. It’s designed to get clicks, trigger emotion, and keep you [...]

The Talking Stage: Why It Feels So Tricky

September 15, 2025

The talking stage has become a defining feature of modern dating. It’s that limbo between meeting someone and becoming official, where messages fly back and forth, late-night calls stretch for hours, and chemistry builds without labels. For some, it’s thrilling. For others, it’s maddening. [...]

When Texting Too Much Pushes Someone Away

September 15, 2025

In today’s world, communication is at our fingertips 24/7. You can text someone all day, every day, about everything from what you had for breakfast to what show you’re watching before bed. At first, this can feel exciting, like proof of interest and closeness. But sometimes, constant texting [...]

Ghosting, Pocketing, and Submarining – Welcome to Dating 2.0

June 22, 2025

So, you’re out there trying to find love, connection, or at least someone who texts back. You finally have a few good conversations, maybe even go on a great first date. And then… nothing. Silence. Vanishing acts. Or worse—reappearing like nothing happened. Welcome to Dating 2.0. It’s [...]