I am 27
and have never been in a relationship
I am 27
and have never been in a relationship
that feels like a failure somehow
an adult that has never gotten past the first date
and I have tried
I had a lot of crushes growing up
because I loved anyone who truly seemed to care about being around me
who enjoyed my company and acknowledged that they liked me
like me when I could be myself
but I was always misreading signals
and they didn't like me like that
which I accepted and moved on
but somehow the friendship always faded after that
and the pain of losing a friend
is the kind of pain that teaches a lesson
and so I learned to ignore my crushes
having feelings for someone only ever ended in me being sad
so I turned to the dating apps
the expectations were clear there
if you were talking to someone there was a mutual interest
suddenly I was confident in the conversation
made me charming and funny from a distance
and I lived out the intensity of whole relationships
without ever meeting people in person
I had every emotion met I had ever needed to feel
and then sparks would fade if we met in person
so even in the easily connected digital age of dating
called hookup culture
I can't find a person with the desire to actually be with me
I am permanently chasing people who don't return my feelings
and so I have made it to 27 and never had a partner
what if I tell that to the next person I really like
and they consider it a red flag
and so they don't want to date me either
even if they did before that
or we start dating
and I get to the point where I admit that this is my first relationship
and that worries them
so they see me in a new light
and slowly but surely
lose interest in me
and we break up
I might stop trying if I get hurt again
might be single forever
just to avoid ever being rejected
am I so delicate
if so
I am certain I will be alone forever
like the exhibit at the museum
with so many warnings on it
that people avoid it entirely
because if you touch this precious vase
even gently
it will break
About the Creator
Hufflecup
I want nothing more than to dedicate my life to writing, so I figured I would start here to test the waters. I will be submitting stories to as many communities as possible.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Comments (16)
Great poem
I dislike that I am unable to tip and pledge because I need comma's in my wallet in billions of dollars to the point i need a money counter lol and I am working striving praying and waiting. The waiting game is something else geez.
Great work. Keep it up you're doing great!!
Thank you for being so vulnerable, it takes strength to share this. I never thought guys felt the same things I feel. My double standards, forgive me for this. I, like you, have had so many crushes, and only once did I feel that someone loved me too. But, besides him, all I’ve had is heartbreak. I give too much and I realized that no one has truly seen me, the real me. They just couldn’t see more than my appearance, I’ve been desired, but not loved. Now, I’m not ready to be seen, I’ve invested more in self love. I know what I’m worth, so I won’t settle for anyone who doesn’t see me. The survivor, the kind, the passionate, the funny and smart person that I am. I know someone will love me, when I’m ready. I see you, and you are beautiful. Don’t loose hope, you will be loved.
Relationship is same as having none. Have a good relationship with yourself. Treat yourself right, look after your own. Then have open mindedness for others and accept somebody with all their flaws and whatnot. As long as you remember yourself you will be fine with others too. Take this leap of faith, instead of serving people and be likable be more comfortable with yourself around others even when they doesn't like you that way. Things changes time changes and what's attractive is how you treat yourself with or without somebody else, and then others also come. Hope this helps!
Never settle for anything less than what you want and deserve. It will happen. Live and love yourself and you will be ready for when it comes.. subscribed!
A daughter has also had this experience. Time without a partner can allow you to develop into a person who knows themselves. There is some strength in that.
I especially like the resolving metaphor to this piece. Really evocative of a similar sense of ennui/isolation I tried to capture in my latest piece. Let me know what you think https://vocal.media/poets/until-they-rest-in-you
Good stuff!
I feel for you and at the same time I'm envious knowing that when the right person comes along all other loves will pale. Its a long game game but so worth it! Keep your chin up mate - you'll be right!
I am reading more and more about a lack of love out there and how difficult it is to connect. You just have to keep hunting and let a surprise hit you when you least expect it. It is out there...
Beautiful keep trying you will always have the love you need if you love yourself just subscribed
The emotion behind this is clear and relatable, especially with the shorter sentences towards the end showing a sort of panic, like you believe time is running out or you've missed the boat somehow. However, I'd like to pick up on the line 'and they consider it a red flag'. This poem beautifully portrays your fears, doubts and your story; how could anyone see it as a red flag when explained through this art? You could so easily use this poetry to communicate :)
This is great writing because it expresses a real problem that you are going through and one that many of us can relate to. I am 29 but had never been in a relationship as well and I pretty much had the same experience as you although I never used dating apps. Today, I'm more forward. There is this person I like and I think she likes me too so I'm going at my own pace in forging this relationship with her and for the first time, I feel seen and appreciated by someone. If you had asked me 2 years ago whether I'd ever talk to a girl I found attractive, the answer would be absolutely not. I'd ignore them, heck, I'd turn back to wherever I was coming from if I saw them at a distance coming towards me. Things are different now. I feel more comfortable with who I am so I don't get in my head as much. This has helped me a lot. A few months before I met the person I am talking about, I got rejected by a close friend that I had developed feelings for. She felt betrayed that I had feelings for her but it hurt less knowing that at least I was open about how I felt about her. Authenticity and being able to love myself the way I am has helped get me out of this. I believe that in time, you will find yourself in a similar position. You won't be forever alone if that's not what you want and if it means anything, being able to recognize this as your challenge and writing about it is a great step toward finding yourself in a great relationship. . If this was just poetry, Very well written. Keep on writing.
I received my first relationship at the age of 21. There is hope out there, but I believe to truly love one another mutually has a different time stamp for everyone. Keep up the good work, loved this.
Beautiful, with raw emotion.