It’s been hard for me to learn that so many people, men especially, just don’t have the approach to relationship that I need from someone who is going to be in my life long term. I am interested in connecting with people who have a collaborative mindset, people who will be present with me even when our connection is harder, even when they feel vulnerable or overwhelmed, even when I act in a way they don’t like.

There’s a difference between someone who is abusive or toxic, and someone who is human and limited. It’s hard for people to accept that if they believe relationships are supposed to come easily and require no personal work. I do not want to be part of the kind of relationship in which one person’s fantasy takes precedence over my actual needs, or theirs.