From the glitzy streets of Manhattan in “Sex and the City” to the cozy college town of “Felicity,” the world of television has provided us with countless portrayals of love, romance, and the ups and downs of dating. But amidst the glamour and drama, there are certain dating trends that I, as a younger person, am ready to bid adieu.
One such trend? The notion of waiting for the guy to choose you – a trope perpetuated by countless rom-coms and love stories that suggests women should sit back, play it cool, and wait for Prince Charming to sweep them off their feet. But let me tell you, my friends – that’s a trend I’m more than ready to ditch.
Thinking of my younger self navigating the complexities of dating, I’ve come to realize that waiting for someone else to choose you is not only outdated but downright disempowering. It perpetuates the harmful notion that our worth and value as women are contingent upon the approval and validation of others – particularly men – rather than rooted in our own inherent worthiness and self-love.
The idea of waiting for someone else to choose you puts you in a passive, disempowered position, where you’re at the mercy of someone else’s decisions and desires. Instead, let’s embrace our power, agency, and autonomy in dating, taking an active role in pursuing the connections and relationships that align with our values and desires.
Relationships should be built on a foundation of mutual respect, equality, and reciprocity – not on outdated gender norms and power dynamics. By ditching the idea of waiting for the guy to choose you, we can foster more egalitarian relationships where both partners are equally invested and engaged in the process of building a meaningful connection.
Authentic connections are built on honesty, vulnerability, and open communication – not on playing games or waiting for someone else to make the first move. By embracing authenticity and vulnerability in dating, we create space for genuine connections to flourish, free from the constraints of outdated dating norms and expectations.
Ultimately, the most important relationship we’ll ever have is the one we have with ourselves. By prioritizing self-love, self-worth, and self-empowerment, we can cultivate a sense of inner strength and confidence that transcends external validation and approval. When we choose ourselves, we send a powerful message that we are worthy of love and respect – regardless of whether or not someone else chooses us.
These outdated and problematic dating trend of waiting for the guy to choose you – and instead, let’s embrace our power, agency, and autonomy in dating. Let’s prioritize mutual respect, equality, and authenticity in our relationships, and let’s choose ourselves first and foremost, knowing that our worthiness and value are not determined by anyone else but ourselves.