World Class Hugs

By Rachel Puryear

When it comes to modern dating terminology, we’ve all heard of things like swiping to the right, ghosting after a few dates, and friends with benefits. Each comes with its own connotations. A new dating term emerging is hardballing – that is, laying all your cards on the table up front, telling a potential mate exactly what you want, in all brutal transparency. This is for the purpose of weeding out unsuitable partners, and avoiding unnecessary disappointment and heartache later on. My only question about this trend is this – why on Earth didn’t we all start doing this years ago?!

What if, rather than wasting months or even years with the wrong person and hoping that things will just sort of magically work out, people were crystal clear about what they want from the very beginning? The more time you spend with the wrong person, the more time you lose with the right one – and if enough time is spent poorly, you may not ever meet that right person.

It’s never easy to break up or to face rejection. However, it’s far worse to break up many years too late – or to even go through a divorce. By reaching agreement earlier on, we give ourselves and someone who’s right for us the proper chance – and minimize the pain and lost years.

As an anecdote: When I first started going out with my now-husband, we were both pretty clear about what we wanted up front. That was how we realized how compatible we were with each other, it deepened the friendship we already had, it got us both past our insecurities, and it resulted our happy marriage!

Accordingly, let’s make this new trend a permanent reality. After all, it’s now long overdue.

Thank you, dear readers, for reading, following, and sharing. Here’s to honesty and transparency from the start, healthier relationships, and using our time well. If you enjoyed this content and want to see more of it, please hit “like” and subscribe, if you do not do so already. xoxo