It Only Happens Once

Blog — Writing

3 essays on dating + forgiveness

On Choosing a Partner

Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Last updated on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 4:27 PM

·2 min read

In my teenage years—in tandem with all the other naïve and absurd thoughts that used to inhabit this mind—I approached every potential relationship believing that it could work irrespective of the circumstances. Likely merely a subconscious response to ameliorate myself from the persistent sting of loneliness, I blinded myself to the glaringly obvious unanswered questions: Have I spent enough…

Natural

Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Last updated on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 4:27 PM

·3 min read

I’ve always found it particularly interesting that some may find it rational to justify the overly high standards of modern dating culture—the preemptive raising of “red flags,” absurd and arbitrary perfectionist demands in physical attractiveness, characterological traits, and for the entire dating process from start to finish to be free of discomfort or strife. Many still seem to justify it as…

Rejection

Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2023

Last updated on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 4:27 PM

·5 min read

I’ve drawn parallels between job interviews and online dating in the past. Fundamentally, to achieve broad success in either of these endeavors, it comes down to your ability to market yourself and to give a convincing sales pitch before our date or our interviewer’s attention span or patience is depleted. This quickly becomes problematic when you realize that for many individuals, this type of…

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