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being a ball of fire, different communication styles, I am too much for dating, I don't want it that much, it is me, It is not you, the complicated art of dating
“Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost.” – Kahlil Gibran
This is a very quick update, as I am swamped at work, but still want to relate how things are or aren’t with P and I. So please forgive typos and grammar errors.
I think P is playing some kind of head game that I am not aware of. I love games so I wish guys would tell me what game they are playing so I can play too, and hopefully win it, as I am very competitive.
He was all into me in the beginning. He pretty much said that he would move mountains to see me. He was making promises of trips we would take. He already talked about the need to reserve a romantic restaurant for Valentine’s Day and let’s not forget the tickets to the Opera that he already bought.
So what is a girl to think? That he is into me, right?
The best part is that I was into him too. Other than him being on the quieter side and the kissing not being exactly stellar it seemed promising. It was the first time in a long time that I was into someone that was into me.
Then all of a sudden he seemed distant and uninterested. The calling and texting got few and far between. I still texted and mentioned that I missed him, but slowly I was getting a picture of someone that was not that into me.
I figured I should keep an open mind. This is the very beginning, people get busy, people have different communication styles, etc. But still something felt off.
All of a sudden over one week has gone by and we haven’t seen each other. This from a guy that said he doesn’t mind driving. He works from home most of the days and makes his own hours so there is really nothing stopping him from seeing me.
He kept mentioning another date but never scheduling it. I felt like he kept dangling a carrot in front of me…not a feeling I enjoy.
On Friday night I told him that he didn’t seem interested anymore and he said it was not that at all. He mentioned perhaps we would go to dinner on Saturday night.
Saturday he was busy the whole day helping his son with home improvements and supposedly didn’t finish until very late.
Sunday nothing. He texted good morning, I replied, he went silent. Later on I inquired about his day and he replied with: “good, thanks”.
Yesterday (Monday) he sent me as text: “Good morning. Was wondering what your schedule looks like this week. Maybe we can go out to dinner if you like”
I replied: “I would like that. Free any evening this week”
He replied: “ok”
I figured next time I hear from him it is him scheduling a date, but instead this morning I get this:
“Hey. Haven’t heard from you so just saying hi”.
Perhaps I should have just played along and said hi. Instead I did what I keep telling myself that I am not going to. I told him how confused I was with that 1 sentence. I told him that I actually thought I needed to give him space as I was the one always texting and telling him I missed him. I told him that I thought I was even being annoying with my texting.
He said: “It is not annoying but we can at least say hello even if we are busy”
I reminded him that he said to me on the second date not to hurt him and that his actions, or lack thereof, was hurtful.
We exchanged a few more texts that were full of misunderstandings that ended with him saying: “Everything is good just been busy”
A man (or woman) is never busy when they want something. Everyone can find a second for a text even if it is in the middle of the night.
Because I cannot let things just be, I texted: “Can you talk for a couple of minutes?”
I actually didn’t even know what I was going to say, but this back and forth texting gets extremely annoying after a while.
After 10 minutes he said he could, so I called him. I told him exactly how I feel. Exactly what I wrote here. That I think he is playing games even though he says he is not. I said his actions are not in line with his words.
I was nice but direct. My effort always is to avoid miscommunication. I can be wrong, perhaps he is not playing games, but that is what I am seeing and feeling. I said “it is me, not you”. And it is. My mistake is being me. Many people would be okay with this way of communicating and dating, but not me.
I am not sure he understood me. All he kept saying is that he had been busy, but he likes me and wants to see me, and that he is was very sorry. He seems to tell me what he thinks I want to hear. He said he didn’t schedule anything yet because with his schedule being so flexible he could work around my schedule so he wanted to know when I was free.
What? Can he hear himself? I told him I am free and he is still not scheduling anything. Perhaps instead of saying I was free the entire week I should have just mentioned one or 2 days. I gave him too many options. I was too available.
I told him that perhaps what he liked was the thrill of the chase and I ended that when I said I liked him and made myself available. I opened my heart, but that shouldn’t be news to him as I wear my heart on the sleeve anyway.
After a few more minutes, we said good bye. I hung up the phone as confused as ever. I don’t know if I ever had a conversation that was more meaningless than this one. We arrived nowhere. I don’t even think he understood me. I am drained. I am have no energy for this drama.
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw
So, will I ever see P. again? I don’t know. I know that he still hasn’t scheduled anything. I know that every minute that goes by and he doesn’t schedule anything my desire to see him is diminishing.
All I know is that this, whatever this is, cannot survive if we are to continue to communicate in this way. If it is this difficult in the beginning what happens later on when real problems arise.
I am a talker, he is not. I thought we would balance each other out. I thought that because of our differences we would complement each other. Now I think our difference are just too big to work.
When someone is showing you who they are, believe it. Don’t make excuses. I am going along thinking that our conversations will improve, that he will be more open, but what if it never does. Can I live like this?
NO! I would be eternally frustrated.
I know in my heart something is off. I don’t know what it is exactly. There is something he is not telling me.
At the end of the day it is not a question of who is wrong or right. He is a great person that will probably be a better fit for someone else.
It is a question of how much you want something and how much are you willing to put up with to get it. I don’t want him that much to continue to feel this way. Feeling in limbo annoys me. I like things that are defined, understood, agreed upon. I like directness. I like aggressive and not passive.
Lesson here: I don’t know! Perhaps you guys can tell me.
I see tons of mistakes on my part. Instead of telling him that I was free the entire week, I should have just mentioned one evening and that was it. I should have continued speaking to other guys instead of focusing only on him. I was too available, too honest, just too much. He actually says I am a ball of fire.
I know some of my friends here will tell me that I need to relax, take it easy, and have no expectations. It is all true I need to do that. But I also see it from another angle, I want to be with a man that will show me that I am important, that will not make empty promises, one that will follow through on his words. I want to have expectations of someone and him of me. Expectation is not such a bad word.
If I expect nothing I will be happy with the little I get? I deserve and want more.
I am trying to change and slowly I am. I don’t want to change to fit is somebody’s world. I want to change to become a better version of myself. I am changed in the sense that I really don’t care at this moment if we are going on another date or not. In the past this would make me sad, disappointed, I would be crushed. Not anymore. I know that the Universe is on my side and whatever happens is for my benefit. I know that everything is teaching me and I always end up better than when I started.
So much for a quick update. Got run, work beckons. No, actually work screams and demands.
Love the Gibran quote.
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He has great quotes! Blessings! 🙂
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From the outside, this looks as ‘simple’ as the two of you not being on the same wavelength, and deciding whether you can live with that or not. I see little to be gained by blaming him or you for being who each of you is.
You might want to give it one more try, but sooner or later, there’s no point in playing by the book if you’re not on the same page.
Now I’m beginning to feel like an advice columnist, so I’d better quit before I start believing it. Good luck!.
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It is indeed simple when I am able to sit and observe it from a distance. Away from the moment/situation I am able to think about the situation and have a sensible approach. When I am in the moment, when I only listen to my heart all reason goes out of the window.
I hope I didn’t come across as blaming him but I guess any time I say someone is playing games I am indeed blaming them.
If he manages to ask before I totally lose my mind I will go and keep an open mind.
As long as you don’t charge I welcome all advice I can get.
Thank you for reading it with an open mind and for sharing your thoughts!
Blessings! 🙂
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Ugh sounds exactly like how my last relationship ended:(
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I am glad you understand how I feel. He just texted to say good night. Still no plans. I just don’t get it… Perhaps I never will!!
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Ya I never understand men. I’ve just learned that they often get scared after the initial buzz. I would just lay off texting and let him come to you, but that’s just my opinion:)
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I am not initiating any texts or calls anymore. I also replied to some guys that had reached out to me, no more waiting around for him.
I am sure men say the same thing about women lol
Off to sleep. Have a blessed night and thank you for listening! 🤗
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Good for you! Yup in some ways, men and women really are similar.
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Thank you! and in some ways we are extremely different… we are all unique mysteries lol
Wishing you a blessed weekend! 🙂
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True! Sometimes it really surprises me how they think!
Have a great one yourself!
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And therein lies the beauty (and misery) of relationships lol
Thank you! 🤗
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I could relate to so many things you mentioned about doubts regarding high expectations and thinking that you want too much.. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with all this, I know how frustrating it can be..
Some things you wrote remind me of a conversation with a friend where I said “I’m not sure if I’m expecting too much or are my expectations wrong” and her response was that everyone’s needs are different and when you repeatedly expect something, it’s because it’s important to your happiness, so it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about those expectations.. I’ll just say that be kind to yourself, it takes courage and a lot of effort to open your heart to someone and it’s alright to have high expectations since you’re also willing to offer a lot in return! Be proud of yourself for having the courage to be honest and vulnerable and for knowing what you want! *hugs*
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Hi Kinmin.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I like what your friend said. It does make a lot sense to me. I try not to have expectations but they seem to be a part of me. It seems me and my expectations are a package deal.
I am willing to give back as much, if not more than what I am expecting.
With that being said I constantly work on those expectations, I really think it will be a better life with less expectation specially regarding people I just meet…work in progress until then I expect… a lot!
Thank you and many blessings! 🙂
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I personally would give him the benefit of the doubt, that he is really busy. ( but then I am still gullible and believe in the good of everyone.) Also you are at the start , you are still getting to know him. You are not in a relationship with him yet you expect much from him. You both need to get used to the fact that there is another person in the life. men though need exact answers. When are you free…… say Wednesday, then they don’t have to think but know straight away.
You know it happened to me that I wanted to text good night and I just fell asleep. The other person thought , oh no it’s the end and nothing in that way was intended. Sometimes life just gets in the way and we don;t mean to be distant or mean to hurt anyone and yet it feels like that to the other person.
This is just how I think.
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Hi Ute, I can always count on you to try to appeal to my mind and make sense. I would love to have you right here in NY so we can meet up.
I feel I have given him the benefit of the doubt and I feel I have put up with more than I normally do. Clearly our thresholds are a bit different. While you are level headed, I shoot from the hip.
Exactly because we are at the start of this I feel I need more. If at the beginning, when we are trying to woo the other he is already not listening to what I am telling him, then what am I to expect later on. I don’t expect men to read my mind so I am direct with my expectations.
Also, he is the one that was full of promises, all I want is for him to follow through with them.
On Monday morning he asks and I tell him that I am free the entire week. Yesterday morning I told him I expected him to set a date right away. It is now a day later and still nothing. I see that as a total disregard for my needs and wants. What is so hard about choosing an evening? After all I am sure he will make me choose the restaurant.
I do think you are right and I should have been direct and chosen a night myself. Some people can’t deal with too many options (myself included).
He texted good night yesterday. I replied.
I see that as just bread crumbs, just giving me the bare minimum.
Maybe that is not what he intends, maybe he is indeed busy with other issues, maybe he still thinks I am amazing, but I can only judge by his actions and his actions are telling me I am not that important as I was in the beginning.
At any rate I am totally disheartened and I already consider him just a friend that I see for dinner every now and then. The problem was my allowing myself to think of him as more.
Ute, even though some times we disagree on how we see certain situations I want you to know how much I appreciate your insight and kind advice. You help me see things from a calmer and clear perspective. Thank you so much for your friendship! Many blessings! 🙂
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Thank you very much, I appreciate what you wrote. You might have different opinions and outlooks still I can let you know mine. You are being so honest and so am I. You don’t have to follow what I say but it might give you food for thought. I respect your opinion and feelings very much and I don’t want you to get hurt. Bless you my friend.
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Thank you dear Ute. I wonder what you will say about the post I just published. I know I react and over-react, but I feel at peace now.
Thank you for energy and kindness. I can feel it and it makes me feel so good about myself! 🙂
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A man is never too busy to make time for a woman he is interested in. When there is a gap in the words and actions, always believe the actions. You may not need to cut him off, but you don’t need to go all in with someone who is not sending messages that are clear to you.
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Hi Dee, You and I think the same way. My mistake was going all in. Lessons learned! Next time I will go slow and carefully besides investing 100%
I just published an update where I followed my heart and stopped my misery.
Thank you and I hope all is blessed in your life! 🙂
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Girl, you deserve better. MUCH MUCH MUCHO better.
Where do I start. First, ghosting someone isn’t cool. And many years of dating and reading up on this agonizing behavior including books such as
– ‘Think Like a Man, Act Like a Lady’ by Steve Harvey (hilarious and awesome read, recommended. Basically a guy will profess his love, protect and provide for you when he has found himself, otherwise nadda. And you gotta figure out the difference between a sports fisher and those who are long term), as well as
– ‘Why Men Marry B*tches’ (soo good, basically, don’t call the guy or initiate contact even when in a relationship, let him chase you and contact you. I rarely text mine too. Makes you look busy, even if its just studying your toes, you’re busy. Too busy loving yourself to care what he thinks), and
– ‘Women who Love too much’ by Norah Roberts I think (which is a great book that when you love and accept yourself completely, you will begin to see those who will stay and those who will go) and
– Some book on how to tell if he thinks you’re the one within 30 days (basically, if he thinks you’re the one, he will keep the pursuit alive throughout the relationship. If that alarm doesn’t go off, and/or one has interrupted his elasticity to recede within himself to his man cave to figure this out by calling/texting him when he’s trying to reflect, then you will begin to see the decline in committed behavior.
It taught me a lot from reading about dating, men and behavior. It made me realize that happiness is truly beneath my own feet and as they say, the moment you realize you don’t need a relationship, is when you are ready for one. Growing happiness beneath your own feet means kicking such snails to the curb when they aren’t coming along. Like J Lo says, it’s about finding someone who’s on the same trajectory as you. I’m blunt and to the point too. And you can’t change who you are to suit someone because then you will be less than perfect as you are for the one you are meant to be with.
I use to think it was me. And now I realize, it was both. Me for not seeing how much I’m truly worth. And them for wasting my time as a placeholder, or vice versa, until the right one came along.
You are right. Don’t put up with nonsense. As this great quote once said, we are helping each other grow. Staying with someone and affirming that such behavior is tolerated only perpetuates such. We must treat ourselves better as women. And yes, you don’t have all week available. Thurs or Tues, and maybe if he’s earned it one day, a Saturday. 48 hours notice. Or at least a day. And don’t contact them unless they initiate it with you. Men have a hard time ending things because they don’t wanna be rude, so if they are gone, thank them for the lessons they have taught you and for making room for someone better.
It’s in his kiss, Cher says. I just love that song!
Hugsss and good for you for paying attention to your intuition. If you sense something is off (for me it’s if they are too perfect and single, like what’s up with that, and for how long. Were they ever in a committed relationship, and how long ago etc), then always listen to your gut. You are right. And any interaction that causes stress this early on is only more things to come. He needs to be more into you than him to ensure we don’t go crazy as women. Hahaha…
Hugss..sorry for the long rant..
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Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I am going to make a list of all those book recommendations and start reading them. I think the one by Steve Harvey will be a hoot.
I have to learn to keep my feelings more guarded and not to lay all my cards on the table as I normally do.
Nobody likes what is too easy and too available. I too lose interest if someone is all over me. By being so honest and so open I am being so easy and shooting myself on the foot. A little mystery is a good thing and it doesn’t mean I am playing games. Perhaps just the seduction game.
“studying your toes” – hahaha I needed the laugh
I do like the idea of being too busy loving myself to care about what he thinks.
“Women who Love too Much” is by Robin Norwood, I just checked. I think Norah Roberts writes romance novels.
Very interesting, It does seem I interrupted his thinking… I do need a fast thinker. I am over 50, I don’t have 30 days to waste. lol
I do agree with JLo, I want someone that wants to grow and do things, someone that is motivated on his own that I don’t have to be dragging along. We don’t have to be similar but we need to have some common goals.
I encounter a lot insecure men that need to have their egos reinforced daily. I want the secure and self assured man that is so rare these days.
Totally agree on not changing for someone and risk the right passing by.
I never see the guy as the problem. I always realize that there is something in me that is attracting these kind of men and drama.
I learned at least one lesson this week with this relationship. I will never be available a whole week to a guy anymore.
I was driving myself nuts over a guy that was not putting the same amount of energy in the relationship. This amount of stress on a relationship that barely started is not worth it.
Thank you for taking the time to share all your hard earned insight and experienced!
And this is for us:
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Yes….do not change to fit a certain man’s mold…only change to better yourself! If you feel that, then I believe in your gut you know he’s probably not right for you. Also, agree with giving him one night option instead of the whole week open. Just easier to set plans when you are only available that one night…for the both of you. Definitely keep us updated!
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You are right, I should have chosen a day and made it easier on everyone. I give men too many options. Perhaps that is the lesson I will take from this.
I just published an updated. And changing for me and not others is a great reminder!! Blessings! 🙂
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there’s nothing wrong with you. there’s no “technique” or artifice that will help you find love. you are right to take some space from this guy. you are right to listen to your gut if something seems off, it probably is. i still feel in your writing that you have this feeling that a relationship is needed to complete your happiness, and i know that we all feel this way sometimes, but at some point we need to see that life ahs many adventures to offer us and there is enough to do while waiting for love. but never feel like you are too much- with the right person you will be “just enough”
we as women need to learn to stop valuing ourselves based off our relationship status and a man’s ability to love us and see our value.
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I know what you are saying. I does seem that way, doesn’t It? It seems that I am not complete without a boyfriend. But appearances can be deceiving.
The problem is knowing in my heart that there is someone for me out there and having no patience to wait for him.
One of my goals for 2018 is to write more on this blog and write about everything else in my life besides dating.
I will also write about my past adventures,and there are many solo and with a partner.
I also intend on doing more and you reminded me of the need for that.
I do thank you for also reminding me that I am enough and the right man will see that. And that I am enough alone!
Thank you for the kindness and insight! 😘
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I haven’t read any of the other comments, so if I am repeating, then it may be even truer. I think you are either being played or he has a severe problem. It is NOT you here. I would be thrilled if a woman I was into told me she had every evening this week open for me. I would assume she probably had some things to do and would have to juggle, but she is willing to juggle FOR ME! No, that is a problem for men. We are supposed to offer 2-3 days or 2-3 places to go or do so the woman has some choice. At least, that’s what I have been told.
No, he is doing something and it’s not pursuing you…
Let it go. My big advice is this: if you stop texting altogether, he will text in between 3-7 days. If not, you are done. When he does, I would, personally, let it go. Tell him you are no longer interested. This may, actually, cause him to start trying much harder. Then you have your answer – he was playing some sort of game. if you start again, it will be the same over and over – he will build you up and knock you down.
Just an opinion, but I have see guys do this time and again and talked to women who have had it done.
On a final note, I had a woman who was all into me. Really great 1st date, wonderful time together, even setup a second date. I was never able to get hold of her after that night, still haven’t. Tried 3 different methods, twice each. She disappeared. I talked to a friend later who had known her years ago. He said she, pretty much, did the same thing to him.
Scott
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There is a lot game playing in online dating. I always go with the truth but apparently that is not always how things should be done.
Why ask me when I am free when he wasn’t free or interested? I will really never know the answer to that…and no longer matters.
You are a bit behind on your reading, once you catch up you will see that things are over now, except for the upcoming Opera this Friday- that I am still considering going with him.
As far as the woman that ghosted you, unfortunately that is all too common now. People act all interested, even schedule another date and then disappear.
I think it is your Guardian Angel removing something from your life that it is not good for you. Count your blessings, say thank you and move on! 🙂
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Law of Attraction at work
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I have been there. After ending my eleven year marriage with the man I had been with since I was 19, I was forty and dating for the first time in my life. I read all of the dating advice and signed up for those online courses that would teach me how to get the guy I deserved. I watched movies like Bridget Jones’s Diary and How to be Single and I laughed and cried and felt a kindred connection with these fictional women who just couldn’t figure out how to get the right guy.
I would love to tell you that my story ended with Mr. Right because I did all of those “right” things and because I followed the advice that was given to me by well meaning friends, but that would be a lie. I am currently engaged to a man whom I love beyond words in a way I cannot even explain, and he is completely in love with me, but it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty. It was a process. We broke up and got back together. His ex-girlfriend was insane and refused to let him go. I had two little boys to think about as we started dating and they began to develop a relationship with him too. I called at the wrong time. I acted too aloof. I acted too eager. He didn’t call when he said he would. He vowed that it was over because I broke his heart. My god, the drama. It is all a distant dream now. What created this? What did I do that was right? I think there were things I did right: I held my ground; I wanted to make sure his feelings for me were real; I kept communicating with him in healthy ways that were productive. The things that he did right: kept showing up so we could build trust; let down some walls to let me in; never gave up even when it got really hard. My favorite line he ever said to me: “I am not the kind of man who runs.” I think when two people get together and it is the right kind of magic, then what follows is not always perfect or pretty or predictable. It doesn’t look like the movies and it is often really complicated (let’s be honest, we are trying to build relationships in our 40s+. Why do we keep acting like it’s dating in our 20s and 30s?) The best advice you can get is from inside of you. Always ask yourself, “Is what I am about to do the next best thing for me?” If that answer is “yes”, then see where it takes you. At the end of the day, all loving, healthy relationships are miracles you must carve out one day at a time. For some it’s easier than others.
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I can totally relate with what you wrote. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and reinforce the idea that relationships are not fairy-tales, it takes work and effort.
I keep second guessing myself on what I am doing: should I call him more or less, should I be direct or keep a little mystery? In the end I always err on the side of being myself and doing exactly what my heart/gut tells me.
I always figure that the right man will get me, while the wrong ones will think I am too much, or perhaps not enough.
“I am not the kind of man who runs.” – I love that! I want that guy! The guy that stays and fights for what he wants. Is this guy I am dating that guy? I don’t know. I am willing to give it a chance.
I agree, healthy relationships are miracles – I was reflecting on that the other day. I do believe in miracles, so I will continue searching for mine.
Thank you for the great writing and advice! I will definitely try to ask “Is what I am about to do the next best thing for me?” It is good for me to have to stop and reflect instead of just reacting.
Wishing you many blessings! 🙂 ♥♥
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