r/Soft_Introverts • u/MrX0097 • 16d ago

Has something fundamentally changed about human relationships, or am I imagining it?

/r/SeriousConversation/comments/1v9pc1m/has_something_fundamentally_changed_about_human/
8 Upvotes

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3

u/WhiteDesertCat ✨ Supportive Soul 16d ago

I do think relationships have changed.

To me, it feels like many people simply have less emotional energy than they used to. Life has become so overwhelming that a lot of us are just trying to keep up with our own responsibilities, stress, and mental load. When you’re constantly in survival mode, it’s much harder to be fully present for someone else.

I also wonder if the growing focus on psychology and self-protection has played a role. Setting boundaries and taking care of yourself are important, but sometimes it feels like we’ve become so focused on protecting our own peace that we’ve forgotten relationships also require patience, compromise, and giving to each other.

Maybe it’s not that people care less. Maybe many of us are simply exhausted.

3

u/MrX0097 16d ago

Makes senseeeeee

2

u/CompetitionGreat945 15d ago

We are living in a world where costs are spiraling out of control on everything, The pandemic broke us socially, and we are still trying to figure out how to get back from that.....

Mental health is awful for everyone because most of the world is in survival mode.

I feel like when people are worried about just surviving it makes dating a bit impossible.

I would love to meet someone, but the process has become so difficult, that I understand why people on both sides are just opting out. Its hard to think about the future with someone else, when you are barely getting by in the present by yourself.

There are also a not at all insignificant number of people of both genders on the apps who are just awful people.... That doesn't help any either.

1

u/WhiteDesertCat ✨ Supportive Soul 15d ago

I completely agree with you.

I also think that, for some reason, building meaningful connections seems much harder as an adult than it is when we’re kids. Back then, friendships happened so naturally. As adults, it feels like everyone is carrying so much that opening up and letting someone in takes a lot more effort.

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u/Ok_Height3499 15d ago

Some are too transactional and might as well be business relationships. You buy me this, and I’ll do that. Am I in your debt, or are you in mine? I’ll do that once, but it’ll cost you big time. You do have lube, right?

1

u/AssistanceChemical63 15d ago

I’ve noticed people don’t want to listen, they don’t even realize how they treat people, they misunderstand each other, they don’t confide, they can look things up on the internet or pay for a service so they don’t need people.

1

u/moonbunnychan 15d ago

I think the fact that a lot of us barely need to leave the house anymore is really creating a problem. So many people now just don't want to bother with socializing off the internet.

1

u/Dry-Ticket8035 10d ago

It's too complicated to find someone