Glad of how I've progressed this year

So dating has been rough for me always. Had a bit of a thing for the first half of 2020 but now I find myself in the dating scene yet again (always taking Covid considerations seriously of course). I've really been reflecting on how I approach dating and I've noticed ways to make it more tolerable for me. I had a situation happen where I know last year would have made me feel really upset.

I [31F] met up with him [33M], last week. Unfortunately I had to cancel on him twice before meeting because it was pouring, and covid precautions mean I'm only hanging out outside. So, we finally meet over drinks for over four hours. To me there's definite chemistry, he starts to get touchy and leaving the wine bar he kisses me and invites me over his place. I say no. He alludes to it again. Again I say no. I get in my uber and we keep texting. We end up going on a second date and I could tell he was a little reserved comparatively but didn't know if he was waiting for my signal or if something had shut off for him. I still felt like it was a good date overall and again another four hours were spent together. It ended in some more kissing but now a few days later I've been left on read.

And that's fine! If we had met last year I would have slept with him and I'm sure things would have ended the same way one date later and I would have felt very strongly by the turn of events. Now with my perspective shift I at least feel some sense of control. It feels nice to not feel crushed by this ghosting.

Submitted September 10, 2020 at 11:52PM

So dating has been rough for me always. Had a bit of a thing for the first half of 2020 but now I find myself in the dating scene yet again (always taking Covid considerations seriously of course). I've really been reflecting on how I approach dating and I've noticed ways to make it more tolerable for me. I had a situation happen where I know last year would have made me feel really upset.I [31F] met up with him [33M], last week. Unfortunately I had to cancel on him twice before meeting because it was pouring, and covid precautions mean I'm only hanging out outside. So, we finally meet over drinks for over four hours. To me there's definite chemistry, he starts to get touchy and leaving the wine bar he kisses me and invites me over his place. I say no. He alludes to it again. Again I say no. I get in my uber and we keep texting. We end up going on a second date and I could tell he was a little reserved comparatively but didn't know if he was waiting for my signal or if something had shut off for him. I still felt like it was a good date overall and again another four hours were spent together. It ended in some more kissing but now a few days later I've been left on read.And that's fine! If we had met last year I would have slept with him and I'm sure things would have ended the same way one date later and I would have felt very strongly by the turn of events. Now with my perspective shift I at least feel some sense of control. It feels nice to not feel crushed by this ghosting.