People Explain What's Really Stopping Them From Having A Romantic Partner

Lack of Communication

"It kinda seems like everyone I meet and am interested in is already dating/in a situation with someone. I get plenty of connections on dating apps but they usually just stop replying."

- TwoChaptersIn

Missed Opportunities

"I’m too shy and don’t meet new people. My life is a cycle of waking up, university, sleep, and when I get opportunities, I don’t take them."

- Arcofly

Grief Takes a Toll

"I just lost my wife after years of illness and have no desire for another relationship."

- gtnair

"It's been four years now since her death after a three and a half year fight that she put up. We spent 12 years together and I still just can't bring myself to really go out there again when all I want is her back."

- Anunnaki2522

Feeling Unworthy

"Being a 62-year-old dishwasher with no money."

- thomas4004

"I met my current partner while I was a dishwasher. There are people out there for everyone. Don't focus on what you don't have."

- JustwantedAUsername

In Need of a Solo Journey

"I'm just not ready for one. The biggest reason is laziness, probably."

"The idea of being in a relationship is way more appealing than the actual responsibilities involved in my current stage. Relationships take work, and I'm not gonna just half-a** it like an a**hole when I can't guarantee that I'd fully commit."

"I'd just be wasting somebody's time and that's not fair to them. Plus, there are plenty of things that I'm already not putting enough time into that are way more pressing.""

- PEEWUN

"Yeah. I hear this."

"It’s not necessarily that I’m too lazy to get into a relationship and be with someone. Instead, after six months, I start becoming 'lazy' and want to do my own things by myself waaaaay more frequently, and it’s pushed every girl I’ve been with away."

"I’m probably destined to remain single. However, I’ve become entirely content with that. Sometimes I do miss having a partner and the advantages of having a partner, but those reasons are purely selfish on my own part."

"Partly blame being an only child with parents that both worked 60+ hours a week. I’m far from upset by it though. Instead, I cherish the fact that I can be nearly 100% content being alone."

- Blacksheepoftheworld

Self-Improvement Era

"Just got out of a toxic relationship where we both played our part in being toxic. I‘m currently working on myself so it doesn’t happen in my next relationship again."

- Crounty

"I'm working on myself. I'm in no position to date anybody and have nothing substantial to give another person right now. I need everything I have to fix me."

- scienceforbid

Procrastination: The Dating Edition

"Pragmatically speaking? Nothing really, maybe some internalized form of procrastination?"

"I keep myself decently well-maintained mentally, emotionally, and physically. Career-wise/professionally, I've built myself up as a pretty well-rounded person and although I've still got a ways to go, I'm decently stable with my currently established work-life balance."

"And I'm also a decently well-socialized person who interacts well with the public, can hold a conversation, and is decent at paying attention to social cues and body language."

"If I actually tried to get into the dating game, I'm decently confident that I could do okay for myself and my partner; but I guess I just haven't had a reason to actually take that initiative step..."

- mythrilcrafter

The Introvert Has Entered the Chat

"My pathetic social battery and conversational skills."

- Capt-N3M0

Updated Priorities

"I'm divorced with a three-year-old boy in my mid-30s."

"It’s a minefield out here, and my threshold for nonsense is way lower than my threshold for loneliness."

- ChickensPickins

Ableist Thinking

"My wheelchair. I’m completely self-sufficient and independent. I’m a moderately attractive 29-year-old male, I’m in good shape and have a very active and athletic background."

"Girls simply won’t look past it and treat me like a human. I don’t identify as a wheelchair or as disabled, I identify as human, treat me like one."

- DocShaayy

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

"I don't go to places where it is socially acceptable to approach women often. I hate loud a** clubs, don't go to many concerts, and really don't go to bars much. I don't really have a friend group, either. Even when I do go, I don't even know how to do it. I can talk to them, but that never goes anywhere."

- HooterEnthusiast

Prioritizing Trust

"Just some trust issues and with no one around me who is genuinely interested in getting a long-lasting relationship."

- lilac_skyy

Dating in Real-Time

"Maybe it's just not the right time for me."

- common_Database_1322

"Sitcoms and tv/social make everything appear like it happens fast."

"Time in real life is an important factor."

"'Right Now' only works for people who have the privilege to choose and we all know if you have the privilege to choose, you have the power to wait."

"Life is crazy."

- typesett

Social Cues

​"I am a high functioning Autistic and have issues interacting with strangers. My looks are good enough to get dates with women I find attractive, but they are generally put off by my lack of eye contact and I'm unable to tell if they like me or not."

"I've actually botched quite a few dates where I thought they weren't into me, but I thought we'd make good friends so I stated so. They stopped talking to me after that."

- MrStealYoBichonFrise

A New Season in Life

"Just got out of a marriage with someone I’ve spent 12 years with. I’m starting to enjoy my new freedom. I get to do what I want when I want. I don’t have to worry about explaining any purchases. I’ve been able to give up weed since I’m not around her."

"Even though it was a traumatic experience initially, I’m starting to thrive and my friends and family have noticed a difference in my attitude and anxiety. Even though she was a big part of my life and I still feel love for her, it’s becoming clear that our time together has come to an end. We were what we needed for that season in life."

"Plus I got an awesome kid out of it."

- No_Key_6276

This conversation was a great reminder of how similar we all are, in the sense of experiencing insecurities and living through parts of our lives when it's more important to work on ourselves than to develop a new relationship.

But there was hope in these responses, as well. Most of these reasons are temporary, but even if they are long-lasting, there are others who have managed to date under those same conditions.