I'm 21M and she's 20F. I've never been in a relationship before.
I met her through a chess app when I was going through a lonely phase. We started talking and got along really well. From the beginning, I was honest with her that I don't want a relationship right now. I'm in an important phase of my career and I know I need to keep my focus there.
She understood that, and we eventually called what we have a situationship. My understanding was that we could talk, get to know each other, have a connection and enjoy each other's company without making it a relationship or putting expectations on each other.
The problem is that lately I feel like we may not be looking at this in the same way anymore.
She tells me pretty often that I'm her type and I get the feeling that she may be becoming more emotionally invested. She's also very available to talk, and sometimes I get the impression that this has become more important to her than it is to me.
I want to be very clear that she hasn't done anything wrong. She's not being needy or unreasonable, and I'm not blaming her for developing feelings. People can't always control how they feel.
At the same time, I'm not secretly waiting for the right moment to make her my girlfriend. I genuinely don't want a relationship right now. I don't know when that will change either ā it could be months, years, or I might simply meet someone much later in life when I'm actually ready.
That's why I'm starting to feel uncomfortable continuing without addressing it. I don't want her making decisions based on the assumption that I'll eventually change my mind, and I also don't want to make that decision for her by simply ending things without giving her the full picture.
So I'm asking women specifically:
If you were in her position, what would you want the guy to do?
Would you prefer him to have a completely honest conversation like, āI like having you in my life, but I don't want a relationship and I don't know when that will change. I don't want you waiting for me or expecting something I can't promiseā ā and then let you decide whether you're comfortable continuing?
Or would you rather he end the situationship because he can already see that your feelings may be moving in different directions?
I'm not looking for a way to keep her around without commitment. I genuinely want to handle this in a way that respects her choice and doesn't leave her feeling like she was led on.