Yeah… I’ve been there. More than once, actually. It’s that strange in-between space where someone lets you close enough to feel wanted, but not enough to be chosen. They open up, they say the right things, they reach for connection, and then the moment it starts to require emotional consistency, they retreat.
What I’ve learned (the hard way) is that some people genuinely mean it in the moment. They’re not always lying. They crave connection, but the vulnerability that comes with true commitment terrifies them. It’s like they want the warmth without the weight.
And yes, I stayed too long once, hoping that maybe love, patience, or understanding would convince them to meet me halfway. But it doesn’t work that way. You end up managing both your emotions and theirs, and that’s a quiet kind of exhaustion that sneaks up on you.
Eventually, I walked away. Not because I stopped caring, but because I realized I was slowly disappearing inside a story that only existed when it was convenient for them. Walking away hurt like hell, but it also felt like reclaiming my own heartbeat.
So if you’re in that space, torn between hope and self-preservation, know this: real love doesn’t make you beg to be chosen. When it’s mutual, it flows. You don’t have to pull it out of someone who’s scared of feeling too much.
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