The Cycle

Your heart skips a beat, you swipe right, and guess what ‘It’s a match’ – there really is something about that uncertainty surrounding that Right swipe, that is part of the hardwire of our brain, a primal drive to find a mate.

When a match happens, the reward pathway is activated, our Brains Ventral Tegental Area which is part of the brains reward system, that makes dopamine a neurotransmitter, that gets us on edge, alert, energised and focused, the brain memorises this pleasurable experience, and looks to seek it out again and again, almost as if this is a rush from a line of cocaine, its an addiction through and through. In addition to this being wanted and admired, gives us a feeling of love which pushes our level of oxytocin, a bonding hormone, through the roof, and it brings down our cortisol levels, so we feel less stress, and boy, is this a good feeling. So are we to blame each other for the 3 week stagnant period when perhaps those levels deplenish a little, its a chemical reaction that leads to the ‘My heads a mess, I’m not sure what I am feeling here’ – A level of confusion, we like this person, however the dopamine levels are reducing, and we don’t feel as excited, is it because we don’t like this person as much as we thought we did? Do we like them? Maybe not? Maybe I need to jump on the apps, and find someone who gives me that feeling again?

And so…

We have a cycle… and overwhelming need to feel that something special long term, not realising, that its all down to fucking chemicals…

There are so many posts on groups such as ‘Are we Dating the same Guy’ – of women wanting to know, why men constantly seek the 3 week love affair, then vanish, like they never existed…

The answer is here girls… the change in levels of hormones is the factor here, men are not naturally self aware like us, and if there are men out there, its because they have been on the journey of therapy, and. probably had a trauma in their lives that have pushed them to understand theirselves, but most men, are so reluctant to even communicate with theirselves, let alone others, so they could have the girl of their dreams on their arm, but then suddenly, start to question, why things feel a little different, why they feel different, and look to their new girl, and automatically think ‘yep, you’re not the one’ – when really they could be, but the confusion in their minds leads to the whole ‘Its not you its me’ conversation.

So next time someone bins you off, goes from ‘You’re the one’ , to ‘I’m not ready for this’ – this person is not deserving of you, because they are not self aware, and not ready to see what happens when the dopamine dips, not ready to just go with it, because they crave the fix of the chase and match..

You are worth more…

Infatuation vs Love

Fire in your belly, and an intensity so deep, it makes you feel euphoric (a word I love btw), an overwhelming feeling of nerves, and giddiness that you cannot describe, you simply cannot fathom the words, and both can be the best feeling and worst feeling in the world. The adrenaline of seeing them, combined with empty sense of goodbye as once again they walk back out your life, what is it that drives that very strange, almost alien like feeling, the feeling that effects us both physically and mentally.

I recall this feeling, and praying for the feeling to be over, praying one day I can go for coffee and not have this feeling, but as time went on, it never faded, and still to this day there. For me personally after facing rejection a long time ago with this person, I was adamant it would fade, but trust me its still there, and I think always will be, I go into full on Bridgette jones mode still to this day, and one Christmas happened to go flat on my face literally right next to him and his new girlfriend,(not sure if they saw it but I felt it – wow) especially when I hadn’t even known he had a girlfriend, and I had a sinking feeling that when he had dumped me 3 months before, it was a realisation that, I had indeed been pipped to the post, and I hate loosing at the best of times.

Friends will question why you feel like this, in fact you will question yourself, the thought of them leaves you in some fluttery day dream not only do you want him picking you up against a wall, but also you romaticise about just living the life with him. However the hard reality of saying ‘Tough Shit girl’ to yourself snaps you back into the present, and you realise, nope never gonna happen. My infatuation had turned to love, and I cannot explain or even understand in my own head, how or why, it just happened, and now I spend my time trying to pretend he doesn’t exist, but he does, just with another woman…

So are love and infatuation the same thing? Is infatuation just a pure lust and desire? short lived and more of an obsession, infatuation bring a sheer intensity that, the other person consumes you day in and day out, and I only think when you pass that stage, and they are still on your mind that you figure, this could actually be love. Infatuation is often lust filled, fantasy filled, and a want to talk to that person so much, even if you’re with someone else, you will think about them, what they’re upto, you till try and manifest bumping into them, knowing what you feel is wrong, because you or they could be with another, and even if you are both single, the more you talk to them the more you want them, their hands on you, their lips on yours, and my god, this feeling is intense, overwhelming, another is no doubt in your head at this point, they will be the fuck of the century, tbh they could be a sack of spuds, without a clue what to do, but your desire would make sure you’re the fuck of their century, and it’s this sheer want that is the proverbial of infatuation, only described in feeling, only really known in that moment. Where as love is the aftermath, a nice aftermath if met with two hearts, a desire to be with this person long term, to want to hold them, to care for them, for them to be yours always, to not keep them in archived, but in your heart where they belong, where they have earned their place, but if one heart is left standing after the infatuation has faded, then of course, there is nothing sadder than one person being in love, and the other being -well on another page.

Like me, what happens if this situation happens with someone you cannot have, or who doesn’t want you, again tick tick ✅✅ this is moi! How do we simply move on, because even I, do not know the answers to this, and those who know me, know I have an answer for most things, but in my 41 years on this planet, it’s this one guy, I have never been able to shift, understand why I feel, and deal with the rejection. So most people, including myself, literally Ban them from our thoughts, yes we pop them in the archived list, and can’t seem to find the courage to delete any previous chat, but we really should do, we have to work hard to not think of them, and warning here, because synconicity is very real, the more I tried to stop thinking about this person, I would see their name everywhere, side of trucks, street names, online, so be wary guys, our subconscious minds, will try and make you remember this person, popping their name up and ramming it down out throat, till guess what, you’re day dreaming again, so moving on is bloody hard!

Truth be told, I personally feel infatuation and love, are quite often one and the same, both cause intense feelings we cannot shake, perhaps if we define them against lust, we would see a difference there, but infatuation leads to love in most cases, a love we accept or deny and try and banish, and pretend isn’t there, or a love that flourishes, when two people are indeed on the same page…

What are you looking for, looks or personality?

I mean do we know the answer to this? One day it can all seem so clear, we know exactly, and then the next, it’s like hmmmm!!

Even in my sexual prime, I’m at a stand still thinking, I cannot be arsed with this! Ok, lets correct that., I can be arsed with sex, Jesus, however its what comes after that! I struggle to go from APP to text and then the impossible seems to be meet! The need for touch is very real, but the need for stress is not so real.

You get me?

Ok so, we all have a type, yes? I’m rather specific, perhaps too specific, oh maybe who am I kidding, they’re all bloody clones of each other. Although recent guy, lovely person, a Barrister from Manchester, great chat, and totally admired the field he practised in, however in the words of my best friend ‘I think he gives you the ick’ , I mean I’m not 100% sure on that, but he was very different looking than my normal type, but I think she meant in the chat, as he seemed to agree with me, and if I said black was my fave colour, there is a high probability he would of said the same, something just did not feel right in our chats, and maybe because my heart is elsewhere, however it did make me think, what am I actually looking for? How do we strike the balance, between kind and genuine, but not too soft!

I mean who we think we want in our heads, do not always match up to who our hearts and sexual beings desire. We have this image in our heads, 6ft 2, dark thick hair, good arms and athletic shape, and nice eyes and lips, (ok I told you I was specific and probably describing the man I’m infatuated with there, (well no probably, I am), however, why do I find myself sexually drawn to those who aren’t my type, and girls we have all been there, plain old Joe blogs, giving us the flutters! We deny it and think ‘WTF’ but isn’t chemistry a strange thing.

We all want that mate, who is easy live with, stress free and looks good, but I don’t know if you’re like me, I have had that, and the first few years are fabulous, but statistics have shown, those stress free relationships we have all craved, when we get them, actually lead to the biggest infidelities of all. Its getting the cocktail just right isn’t it, having a bit of that, but also needing that obsession with them to, we can love and like, and have great sex, but do they drive us wild? Are they a fantasy and someone who would probably test us and change our world a little, yes we may be in the safety of Mr or Miss nice, cosy nights in and cuddles on the couch, and good sex, but what if we went for wild sex, someone out the box, someone who drives us wild. Have you ever met someone, and even though you’re friends, every time you stop and talk to them, your head is saying ‘Kiss him’ – Yes he may be married off, but the intensity of wanting him, can be crazy, so much so you have to force yourself to not think him and ban him from your head, now that us the shit that will get me settled down!

Take the show ‘Love is blind’ – the concept of this show, is strangers talking for hours on end through a wall, and over 3 weeks of fall in love with the person that they have never even lay eyes on, I mean this is tough, they cannot even describe their physical attributes, its an experiment based on getting to know someone for who they are, and OMG I have been here, I was surprised at the time, but I had a head start, I had matched this person, and our kiss after our first date has been something else, but the relationship (ok situationship) developed through hours and hours of texts and talk, to the point I was shocked at what feelings I had, I had fallen in love, so when the ‘Its not you its me’ chat came from him, it actually effected me like a real break up, I lost weight and I never wanted to chat to a guy again, and this was just one date, but calls and texts every day for months, so the concept of ‘Love is blind’ actually is so amazing, because again this guy was good looking, but line him up against previous exes and he was a good 7, but not the type you’d be like WOW, and I think this guy had a fondness for me, but he settled elsewhere, and whilst part of me is probably still a little in love, we have to move on, and I did and have, but Guess in life there will be these people that we are drawn to and they may not be the normal type we go for, but what if something had of developed?

Sexual attraction is a desire to become sexually involved with someone. While it often occurs alongside romantic attraction, they are not the same. Sexual chemistry can happen without a romantic attraction, and this can be a real problem, because the evolution of dating apps, draws us to who we are sexually attracted to, without knowing the person, (do we ever read the BS in bios) , and sometimes as much as we can be, wow he’s fit, once we get chatting, we can tell pretty quickly if there is going to be longevity in the conversation, and once we realise there is no romantic long term spark there, we move on very quickly.

I guess we just have to choose wisely and hope one day we strike a balance, and we will know, because when we find our true life mate, it won’t be because its easy, because its relaxed and no drama, it will be when sex with anyone else will never enter our minds, and we aren’t doing our best like a dog with a bone, to bury the thought of someone else.. because however much we try, we cannot live a life banning someone from our thoughts… so don’t move in till that mind is free… and also never just settle, for what we think our minds want and need, lets listen to our bodies to.. it all has to connect!

He’s just not that into you… or is he?

Do you feel it’s always you sending the first text? It’s annoying as Hell isn’t it, beyond frustrating, like where are all the gentlemen hiding!

The last thing anyone wants to do is come across needy, when they could be actually the opposite, but it does get to a point of hurt, when you’re the one instigating all of the chat.

Do you wonder what would happen if you didn’t contact him? Do you worry romance will fade? Does it feel that every week, you tell yourself ‘I’m not going to text him’ , but then after a few days you end up cracking.

When you text him, and he replies, do you sit there, thinking, ‘is he just bored, is he being polite, is he with anyone? It is so hard trying to figure men out, they play games, without realising they are playing games.

Lets talk about the reasons, it could be you texting first…

1.He has a crazy busy lifestyle

It is the simplest explanation but maybe he is just busy and stressed with life, so hasn’t got the time to sit and chat. You do need to think, if he doesn’t have time to chat, then he doesn’t really have the time for a relationship… sorry to say but true.

2. He just isn’t a texter

Guys just don’t communicate like girls do, I mean a % will, but its rare, and they don’t think like we do. Us women appreciate a ‘good morning text’ , ‘good night sweet dreams’ text, but only the very few gentlemen who feel lucky to have the girl will be thoughtful enough to do this, a clear indication if a guy likes you. If a guy is really into you, he will wake up in the morning, and want to text you, will want to see whats on your instagram story from the night before, he will do it without realising.

3. He isn’t sure on his feelings towards you, so doesn’t want to lead you on

Something about you intrigues him, but he isn’t sure if you’re right, if he’s ready for a relationship, or if he just wants to carry on playing the field, so rather than flirt with you (in his eyes by texting first may make you think he’s into you more than he is) , he probably does like you, and thats why he does think like this, but remember this isn’t about you, its about him. Some guys just don’t see what goodness is in front of them, and can talk theirselves out of what could be something incredible.

For guys like this, it really is worth not texting them, if they genuinely like you they will reach out, if they don’t reach out, you have your answer, and if you do not want the latter to happen, then we need to install the ‘Hero instinct’ , new psychology, has proved men want to be your hero.. take a peek at psychologist James Bauer, he provides great insight into the concept.

4. He is deliberately dangling the carrot and enjoying it..

There are guys out there sadly, that get off on the fantasy, that this gorgeous woman (you) wants them, wants them sexually and in every way, they fantasise about bumping into you, fantasise about you sexually, and get off on the idea that they could almost (in their heads) click their fingers and you would be there. This is a power trip and should be a huge red flag, run for the hills girls, because this man has issues. He does not deserve getting in your head. You’re worth more than a fantasy fuck.

5. He just wants to date and not commit to a relationship

You have probably been here yourself , liked someone but just not enough to give updating, and it could be they end up in your archived, but sadly it kills us, when this is returned, but this is the fact of life. This i not a reflection on your worth, please remember that. It could be he just isn’t looking for a relationship with anyone, or it could be he just isn’t sure if you are right for him just yet, and maybe he thinks he should cut you off, but can’t, because maybe he does consciously like you, or maybe he just can’t nail if he does or not. Confusing hey? But that’s human emotions for you…

No girl can convince a man to be with them, what tends to happen, is stereotypical, a guy will meet an amazing woman, but over time fish around, and then start to question if girl A (YOU) are right for him, in his head he will think, no I wouldnt be interested in girl B or girl C , if I liked girl A, and then the over thinking kicks in, but then when girl B and C disappear, he starts to think why is girl A. still around, or even still on his mind. You convince a man to like you girls, he will want someone to tick every box, but over time he will suddenly be like well she ticked 8 boxed out of 10 but is so special, and sadly by this time, you’d have been swept off your feet, by someone who doesn’t have to think twice.

Infatuation in a males mind, is driven deep by a primal drive, and yes you can introduce words and play on sexual compatiability , he is driven by sexual urge first and foremost, until he has time to think about this.

6. He has recently broken up with someone, or still in love with his ex?

Men just need time, and you wouldn’t want to rush or push. aman who is in this head space.

7. Perhaps he is just scared

Maybe they do not trust women, maybe they have been hurt, maybe they are scared of getting into another ‘shit’ relationship.

Men and women can hurt each other, and he may be fearful and genuine, in not wanting to rush, or be hurt again.

8. Maybe he just is not into you?

I am truly pained writing this, I find it a struggle, but maybe it is the reality we all need to face at times. Perhaps he asked for the first date , because of that primal drive, but after that it quickly died off. Anyone can read body language, and a first date body language speaks volumes, in an ideal world, you will meet and want to kiss each other straight away, but then sadly we can meet people and be given the ick, within minutes, nothing worse.

If the first date went amazing, then its pretty clear a second date will follow within two weeks, now unless he is the tinder swindler and faked the whole chemistry of the first date, then you know you’re onto a winner, if a second date proceeds, and girls never ask for a second date, remember that.

9. He is super arrogant, and thinks you will always text first.

Oh these are the ones that say they are confident, but actually just RUDE AF. He will think he is better than you, and above you, and feels it is you who needs to chase him, walk away girls, walk away.

10. They like to play hard to get, and test you

Can. we take a moment, to just YAWNNNNNN!!! Guys like this just like to play the game on who likes each other more… they will obviously want you to really show you are into them, but sadly for most women, give it a month, and we see a boy and not a man..

He will give off this air of arrogance (he will call it confidence) , make out he has other options, just to keep us on our toes, but this man likes a woman to crave him, and likes the fact she is on her toes, again something in our primal brain that kills the attraction and respect very quickly.

SO….

Yes it is 2023 but a man expecting a woman to do all the chasing is disrespectful, and the balance isn’t right, balance is key for longevity, in a true partnership and true love, respect is what holds the love together, without this… there is nothing, so always tell yourself this..

Love – What does it mean?

The one thing I know for sure, is feelings are rarely mutual, not everyone will meet on the same page..

So when we meet someone when the feeling is mutual, why are we still holding back, rather than dropping the game and hard to get facade, forget the bull shit of letting the negatives and overthinking set in, because what you’ve found with this mutual feeling, is something the rest of the world are chasing on a daily basis. Love is all we have ever needed, all we deep down have ever craved, yet these days we seem to take love for granted, has it lost its meaning?

When we find love and that connection, we should be taking a deep breath, a step forward and giving way to caution, and diving head first. Throw the rules out the window, opinions of others not matter, because girls and boys, love is rare, love will give you one hell of a ride, enjoy the lust, the passion, the infatuation.

We cross paths with potential suitors daily, some we are aware of, some we don’t notice, but when two worlds collide with such intensity, fuck common sense!!! This is all we need!!

As sexual beings, our lust and desire are intensified even more so with feelings, feelings just make everything run more smoothly.

What I have realised lately is love has no rules, no boundaries, it doesn’t just arrive a few months down the line, sometimes it can be instant, beyond a feeling of desire, it can take you by surprise when you never saw it coming, and blow you away, and its at that point we reach for fight or flight, to flee or not to flee… we start to question if we are ready for it, does it fit into our current life, what happened to just going with it and enjoying it. Have we started becoming scared of love, scared about the prospect of loving another person thats not ourselves. Are we becoming selfish not just to others but to ourselves to. Depriving ourselves of true happiness and being loved.

Love should be un-directional and a feeling of being independent and free with expression, but why isn’t it? Why when we feel something we start to feel shame, start to feel we cannot express how we feel, because of boundaries of time limitations, or scared of love bombing our potential other half!

The way in which love has changed through the generations, is demonstrated with phrases such as ‘I love you’ , its a phrase now that seems to be so freely signed off on a text or call to most people we care about, it’s almost as if without noticing and realising the repercussions, of diluting love.

These days, telling another we love them, feels like a passing comment, the words are shoved down our throat so much, that most of the times, its almost accepted that we don’t need to or want to hear it back. True love seems to be a thing of movies past, something the world aspired to, something we all wanted, but now we often run a mile. We love to love everything and everyone, but fear loving someone who could potentially change our future…

Love isn’t a plaster either, its not simply a bandage to use, to hold together a failing romance, it isn’t just a phrase to use, when the going gets tough, a lot of guys esp seem to struggle with the words, and many times they crop up, when its time for forgiveness and sorry, almost like ‘You have to forgive me,I love you’ I mean its a slip of the tongue, an a cling of desperation to make things right, again normalising us to do away with its true meaning.

True love should be defined, defined in a way that tells us in our hearts that we simply can’t loose this person in our life, and our face, our actions, and our reactions should demonstrate it, in all its glory. Love isn’t defined by materials, by sorry’s, by time.

We are only cheating ourselves on this one.. lets stop pretending we have no emotions, lets not pretending that we can’t be arsed with romance, or that its corny, lets learn how to feel again and lets make sure we really mean it, when we do say it…

Life and love is special, here before any materials, here before any hobbies, here before any careers, here before any social media, imagine if we gave the same amount of effort to love, that we did to everything else! Does anyone feel the world would be a much happier place??