Why Are We Afraid of Real Relationships?

Learn how to break free from emotional barriers and build real, lasting connections in the age of casual dating.

Last week, I asked about your biggest challenges, and the response was overwhelming. Among hundreds of replies, one theme kept coming up: relationships and emotional struggles. Many of you shared stories about "situationships," fear of commitment, and difficulty forming real connections.

I get it. This year alone, I've been in two "situationships" - those almost-relationships that never quite become real. Each time, the pattern was the same: things would start great, but as soon as real feelings developed, I'd find ways to keep emotional distance. Sound familiar?

Your messages showed me that many of us are dealing with the same challenges:

"I keep picking unavailable people..."

"Every time things get serious, I find reasons to run..."

"I want a real connection but I'm terrified of getting hurt..."

There's this quote from Epictetus that I keep coming back to:

"Keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."

When I look at my own recent relationships, I …