I'm a girl who recently turned 20. I work full-time in a professional office (financial services) and gave up a 2 year long relationship with 25 y.o. student boyfriend a few months ago, due to huge maturity differences (and lots of lvm tendencies).
I am content and progressing well with my career, have a good relationship with my health, wellbeing and social circle but I'm struggling to understand how to develop a good romantic relationship with men at this age.
Problem 1:
I intimidate younger guys (early to mid 20s) . I'm serious about my work/responsibilities, and get paid well - this is great, I can enjoy quality experiences and interactions in my work circles but it's a terrible comparison to have when going on dates with most 20-somethings, who are deep in student debt, seem to have much more time available and fewer responsibilities. Yet it feels almost unrealistic to expect 'better' from this group?
Problem 2:
I'm often seen as 'too young' to be a candidate for a real relationship with mid-late twenties men purely based on my age. There's a definite predatory environment out here, particularly as you're leaving your late teens. You're seen as a bit of a novelty, but nothing more than a pure sexual pursuit.
I just don't understand how to navigate the dating world and adopt realistic expectations in this stage of life. Advice would be much appreciated :)
Tl;dr: Girl confused over dating environment and setting healthy, realistic expectations in your early 20s
[–]jszlyFDS Newbie25 points26 points27 points (2 children) | Copy Link
[–]PahapanFDS Disciple4 points5 points6 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]throwaway23004345FDS Newbie37 points38 points39 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 8 points9 points10 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]samarsharqiFDS Newbie13 points14 points15 points (2 children) | Copy Link
[–]EclecticBarbarellaFDS Disciple0 points1 point2 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]samarsharqiFDS Newbie0 points1 point2 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]FlufferlyFDS Newbie9 points10 points11 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–][deleted] 11 points12 points13 points (1 child) | Copy Link
[–]PahapanFDS Disciple4 points5 points6 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]PahapanFDS Disciple6 points7 points8 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[–]throwawayitstFDS Apprentice6 points7 points8 points (0 children) | Copy Link
[+][deleted] (1 child) | Copy Link
[deleted]
[–]throwawayitstFDS Apprentice-1 points0 points1 point (0 children) | Copy Link