Tag: dating-advice

I write paragraphs; they send a single avocado emoji. How do we meet in the middle without giving our thumbs a workout?

I've been dating someone for eight months and things are great when it's just us. But whenever plans with their friends pop up and I'm either not invited or it becomes a separate hang I only hear about after. I've asked a couple of times and they say their friend group is "complicated" and they don't want to mix worlds yet. I introduced them to my friends months ago and it went smoothly, so I'm confused why it's still a no on their side. There aren't cheating vibes, just a persistent distance that feels off. I don't need to be glued to their hip, but I'd like to be acknowledged as part of their life. Is this a normal pace for some people, or a boundary I should pay closer attention to? How would you bring it up without sounding accusatory? And at what point do you consider it a dealbreaker? I work full-time and squeeze this in around dinner and bedtime. For context, I live with a roommate and we share most things. I'm pretty new to this and don't want to overcomplicate it. Time-wise I can commit a few hours a week, not a full overhaul. Small wins are fine; I just want something that actually helps. For context, I live with a roommate and we share most things. Money's not unlimited, so I'm prioritizing simple stuff I can actually stick with. Small wins are fine; I just want something that actually helps. If it matters: apartment setting, no special tools, and I'm in a pretty average climate. This has been on my mind for a while and I'd love some real-world experiences. Time-wise I can commit a few hours a week, not a full overhaul. I learn best from step-by-step examples or what you'd repeat if you started over. Money's not unlimited, so I'm prioritizing simple stuff I can actually stick with. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow.

I've been on a few good dates and things are going well. I don't want to scare them off by talking about travel plans or timelines too early and but I also want to be honest about goals. When is a respectful time to bring this up, and how do you phrase it?