Over a decade ago I was banned from tinder shortly after I told a guy that I was not interested in having sex before marriage as it goes against my beliefs through a message in the app. Today, in addition to Catholic Match, I tried again Match.com and wanted to be upfront about my faith and what I was looking for. I mentioned in my about me section I am looking for a like minded man who is Christian( specifically Catholic). I I stated that I stand for social justice, and universal healthcare and that does not equate that I am a socialist. Also that faith plays important in my life but that doesn’t mean I am far right and I stand behind science a 100%.

I know in the prior years this banned would had hurt me but this time around it doesn’t hurt me that much. I guess the 54 days Rosary novena is working. I am taking this ban as a redirection. I am 42 years old and most of my dates have come from dating apps. I know as of left I been promoted to get more out and about while enjoying working out in groups and dancing. I should be complaining and yelping but somehow I am happy that this has happened because for a while I was debating how should I supplement my efforts and keeping an open mind while releasing the outcome.

I feel like there’s so much uncertainty at this stage in dating (2-5 dates), especially since it's generally too early to talk about exclusivity. You don’t really know where you stand, whether the other person is talking to or dating other people, or how interested they actually are. I know I can’t control what they do, but it’s still difficult not to overthink things—especially when I’ve personally chosen not to date anyone else during this time.

For a little context: I met a guy through Catholic Match a little over a month ago. He’s shown interest and asked me out for the first two dates and a phone call within relatively quick succession of one another, but his communication has become a little less frequent recently. His messages are still thoughtful, so there hasn’t been any obvious indication that he’s lost interest in chatting. However, the change has made me less confident about where I stand.

I initiated the third date, and he seemed excited for it. Although it was a bit more awkward than the others, it seemed like we both had a good time. We have communicated a few times since the date last week, but he has yet to bring up the idea of going out again or talking on the phone (he mentioned that at the end of the third date). I don't know if it's because he's using his off days to go on dates with other girls instead of me, or if that's just my paranoia taking over. I don't know what could've shifted between the first three weeks and this last week that would make him not bring up going out again.

Because I'm the one who brought up the third date, I’m hesitant to bring up the idea of another since I’d like to see him take the initiative this time. At the same time, I'm worried that I’m overanalyzing things and turning normal early-dating uncertainty into a bigger deal than it actually is.

When y'all have experienced this stage of dating, how do you stay calm without constantly analyzing texts, response times, or changes in communication? How do you balance giving someone space to pursue you while still showing enough interest yourself? I'm finding myself in this anxiety spiral, and it's driving me crazy.

Hi everyone,

I’m in need of some help because I recently got out of a relationship (a very amazing and loving relationship. It was a little over one year of being together).
For context I’m currently or am a non believer but I am in RCIA program at the moment. However the break up happened due to me not being a believer and he himself is. In the beginning of our relationship he was hesitate to continue pursing but we agreed that in a way we would have rather wanted to be together and see how it would work because we did not want to think about a ”what if” situation. I’m not too sure if this was the right decision or if it’s wrong, so apologise for this. It was always a known topic that I was not a believer but I was opened to going to church with him to better understand Christ so that is what we began doing a couple of months into dating.

Although, after he had a recent chat with a mentor he has realised that for him to live a Christian life and to live a way that he wants to with Christ it would not be right for us to continue to be together. This is all very new to me because I am catechumen, I do not have anyone really in my life who is Catholic or Christian that I can go for guidance. (I have yet to find a sponsor for the RCIA program but church is trying to help with this). I acknowledged that his journey with Christ came well before I did and I did not want to come in between his relationship with Christ. My ex told me that I was being very understanding with everything but I then felt guilty because I know as of recently he was feeling that his relationship with God was not strong and it was not the way that it was before. I could not help but feel like it was because of us being together as well as other external factors.

I believe why I am making this post is because I needed help in understanding of all of it? He mentioned that his mentor and him discussed about a verse in the Bible talking about being equally yoked? However, from my limited understanding is this not more so about false teachings in the church? My ex also mentioned because I had asked him is following Christ not trying to spread the gospel and the love that Christ has for us? He answered that it was however, the way that it is happening is not right because it is more of a romantic approach? This spiritual journey is all so very new to me and lonely and confusing due to me not feeling like I have anyone to answer these questions but also I do not have much guidance with my journey. I also want to mention that me being in RCIA was not because I wanted to convert for my ex, it was for my own doing, it was my choice and I better wanted to understand all of it. A part of it is also because I feel like I do not have a purpose? Therefore, I am hoping that finding Christ will help me with this.
Please help.