if you're willing to talk about it; were you 'burned' by someone (or more) that you were seeing? If so, what was the gist of the most impactful one?
The handful of men I have spent time getting to know by my own choice have all been great, if I have any regrets in that regard it would be any hurt or pain I may have caused them. Not that I didn't experience any pain on my end of things, but that's just part of life and I tolerate pain pretty well. I don't mean this as a martyr comment in any way, but generally speaking it hurts me to hurt other people.
However, I have had some unpleasant experiences with guys who thought I should date them and I did not agree. Thankfully I never had to get the police involved (probably because I was still living at home at the time and therefore a harder target), but a few of them did give me a pretty good scare.
So in short, if a guy seems interested and I discern that he's a good guy, I want to push him away to protect him.
And if he seems interested but I don't think he's a good guy (or not trustworthy or whatever), I want to push him away to protect myself.
The ones I'm most comfortable with are the good guys who don't seem to have any romantic interest in me. Those are the easiest to get close to lol.
I have been "burned" some by male authority figures, and it's kind of hard for me to not see a potential husband as an authority figure. So that probably does tie in to this somehow but I'm working on it and trying to have a better/healthier view of it.
Absolutely yes, me keeping me from getting prematurely attached. Mainly because they are a bad match, or someone who would be bad for anyone.
So it doesn't sound like you are trying to keep the ladies from getting prematurely attached, interesting
. On my end of things, I really only worry about the guys getting prematurely attached
. Not that I'm incapable of reckless dreaming/hoping; I'm just pretty quick to slap myself back to reality. If anything I'd be more likely to drag my feet than get ahead of myself. Perhaps it's just the difference between men and women?
I've been so blessed with knowing so many good people. And I know very well everyone is imperfect; otherwise, I wouldn't have so many close family and friends. But by-in-large my dating partners have been a disappointing contrast. Is my selection process dysfunctional, poor luck of the draw, cultural issues, supernatural intervention?
I think this one was supposed to be rhetorical? If not I'd be happy to give a shot at answering, but my guess could be dreadfully off the mark! If I were to try to answer, it would be helpful to know more about your selection process/criteria
.
But you do have me curious, how do you define a guy getting inappropriately attached to you?
Inappropriate attachment exists of course
. But what is it? It's something worthwhile to think about. Is it only when you don't feel the same way? Is it time? Is it how much they really know you?
We know about love at first sight, and couples getting happily married for life after a few days. A very good match can happen, right? I
think we can discern when it's too soon based on the shared experience and commonsense; but is it inappropriate for someone to like you a lot before you like them? Surely that alone doesn't make it bad, evil, toxic, or a "red flag", right? People can tap any necessary relationship brakes without a breakup, right?, without the need of you "pushing them away" as you put it? To make space for a healthy relationship, can you imagine a scenario where it's okay, and one where it's not?
This is the part that blew my mind
.....I guess I would define inappropriate attachment as too short of a time, therefore not knowing me well enough for it to be anything beyond superficial reasons (and also refusing to take "no" for an answer). Yet I, myself, have experienced what I can only describe as "love at first sight", and it wasn't based on looks at all....it was like I instantly saw into his soul and liked what I found. I don't know any other way to describe it, but it was incredibly strong and powerful. I know the feeling wasn't anything sinful and really it felt like it was spiritual
. So I don't see any reason why a guy couldn't have the same experience upon meeting me but the thought is still kinda scary. So maybe that is an issue unto itself.
I appreciate you bringing up the questions, I really hadn't thought about it this way until you mentioned it!