We’re all on a hunt to find someone to spend the rest of our lives with. Over the past few years, I’ve learned that there’s a difference between being in love and just loving someone. That unexplainable feeling we get when we meet someone and there’s that connection.
Generation-Y is unlike any other generation ever. We do things backwards. We forget about first date etiquette. We sometimes even skip the first date. One night stands are more prevalent than ever before.
Here are five (of many) reasons why we are losing the ability to love.
1. We believe in perfect endings
Growing up watching Disney Channel was my prime time. The days of Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez are still etched into the back of my mind.
These unrealistic and unattainable fairy tale endings really did create high expectations for my future relationships and left me with so many questions. There is most likely never going to be a "happily ever after" ending like you see in the movies, but you can make it a damn memorable one.
2. We live in a generation where if something is broken, we throw it away without fixing it
Out with the old, in with the new. I mean, wouldn’t you rather just start fresh with somebody new and just put all of those fights, arguments and disagreements behind you and move on?
That may seem like the easiest thing to do, but that's exactly why we need to change our thought process. When you abandon those arguments and fights, you’re leaving behind all of the memories you've ever made together. You’re leaving behind that moment when you first met and that moment you knew there was a connection.
Out with the old, in with the new? More like wake up and realize what you have before it’s gone.
3. We want what we want
Why wouldn’t you want to have everything your way? Growing up, my mother always told me to never settle for anything less than what I deserved. There’s always been a difference between settling for what you want and settling for what you actually, truly deserve.
Let’s face it. Any sort of relationship is going to require some (a lot) of compromises along the way. Coming to terms and accepting these compromises is up to each partner.
4. We date for the sake of dating
It’s become a natural habit. We go on dates when we’re not ready. We stay in abusive relationships. We never think that we will find anybody else who will care.
A large portion of us can’t stand to be alone. Instead of making use of our time, we just go out and look for a possible match. We’re wasting our time dating individuals just for the benefits, not for the long-term goals.
5. We want a finished product
As soon as you meet someone, what do you notice? Their radiant smile? Their eyes? Their negative aspects? Whether or not we realize it, we usually see and focus on those negative aspects first.
There is nothing wrong with having high standards because, in the end, you want to be with someone who makes you happy, but sometimes, our standards become unrealistic.
