People who criticize my dating life don’t realize how much the landscape has changed. Traditional expectations aren’t common anymore. These days, many women expect a lifestyle that the average guy – especially someone like me working in security on a modest income – just can’t provide. They’re often looking for a partner who earns more, covers all the bills, and supports a lifestyle filled with beauty treatments, travel, and nights out. But dating for simple companionship isn’t on the table if it means dialing back that standard of living.

Somewhere along the way, dating became more about image than connection – curated lifestyles, expectations, and appearances. Social media adds to it. It’s not just about how someone makes you feel anymore, but how they fit into a certain look or level of success.

Back in the day, people looked for something real, not perfect. Now there’s pressure to have it all together just to be considered. That kind of performance makes genuine connection feel rare.

Still, I hope it matters to some. Maybe someone out there is quietly hoping for the same realness I am.