THE DATING ADVICE TO END ALL DATING ADVICE

I was scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon a post by The Atlantic titled "How Do You Know When to 'Define the Relationship'?". Instagram user @johnistraveling posted my exact reaction to the article:

How come there is so much more rules when it comes to dating today? Even scrolling through Tiktok, "relationship gurus" give advice like waiting a certain amount of time to reply to a text or, like in The Atlantic, waiting a certain amount of time to define the relationship. As a serial monogamist (WHO WON'T BE DATING FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS), most of these rules are BULLSHIT. My second to last relationship, which lasted for 3 years, ended due to lack of communication, and my recent relationship, which was meant to be short-term, ended because of life factors which were communicated in the beginning of the relationship. 

The only rules to dating you need to know? 

COMMUNICATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
HAVE EMPATHY
BE OPEN MINDED
LEARN YOUR ATTACHMENT STYLE

I will be real and say that I did not have this clear understanding of what makes relationships work until recently. It did take that 3-year relationship ending for me to learn how to have a secure attachment style, which I used affirmations from Instagram account @thesecurerelationship to help build me up to this point.

Also, you don't have to participate in hook up culture or have a "situationship" if you don't want to.  I have nothing against hook up culture nor forming a "situationship," but they are something I refuse to participate in due to their lack of emotional connection, which I like to form in most of my relationships. 

MORE ON THIS SOON. I JUST NEED TO GET IT OFF MY CHEST.