Modern dating often feels like a paradox—many crave deep connection but shy away when intimacy requires effort. Emotional labour, the work of being present, patient, and vulnerable, is not a weakness but the foundation of genuine love. Yet, when faced with this reality, avoidance takes over. This post explores why some retreat when intimacy deepens, how cognitive dissonance plays a role, and what it means to break free from the cycle of disillusionment

When a friendship ends, there are no rituals, no casseroles, no collective sighs. The ache arrives quietly, like a book left unfinished on the table. Research shows that unacknowledged grief can linger, shaping trust and self-worth. Honoring what was lost, creating small rituals, and giving ourselves permission to feel can turn silence into healing. Even grief without ceremony deserves a place in our story.

Love isn’t meant to hurt. Explore the truth about inconsistent relationships, their emotional toll, and how to choose peace over pain