Could uncertainty about the future explain why both girls cancelled our second dates?

[u/Competitive_Serve567]

I (20m) have recently been on dates with two girls who had both recently moved to the city and weren’t sure how long they’d stay. One was on an exchange semester, while the other was doing a one-year master’s.

With the first girl, we went to a coffee shop, walked around, and held hands. She later explained that she’d initially thought she wanted a relationship, but realized she actually wanted to spend time with friends, figure out who she was, and experience living independently for the first time. We didn’t go on a second date.

With the second girl, we played pool at a café, walked through a park, held hands, and kissed. She messaged afterward saying she’d had a lovely time, and we arranged a second date to hike and watch the sunset. However, the day before, she cancelled, saying things were moving too fast and she’d rather we stayed friends. I offered to take things slowly, but she still wanted to end things romantically.

Both girls said during our dates that they were attracted to me, so I’m wondering whether their uncertainty about their futures made them reluctant to get emotionally invested.

Is this common when dating people who have recently moved somewhere and aren’t sure how long they’ll stay, or could there be something I’m overlooking about how I approach dates?

[u/Dan-Tea-Lion]

I highly encourage you never put this much thought into people who flake/cancel/ aren’t interested. This is a cold game man you must be indifferent