I Determined My Value. Then Added Tax.

Relationships Will Be On My Own Terms Without Compromising My Values

I caught myself thinking I was being too aggressive about going after exactly what I want. In communicating with more than one man with whom I was considering starting a relationship, I very pointedly asked for things to go the way I want. When there was the inevitable push back, I started to think maybe I shouldn’t be so aggressive. Then I realized that would be something like putting myself on the clearance rack in the dating market. No, I belong under the glass in the locked display cabinet.

In the first instance this week, I’d been chatting with a man on a dating app. It was a shallow chat about not much in particular. He felt the need to point out that he’s “just having fun” for now. I quickly tried to get specific, and asked what that meant even though I knew damn well. He said it would just be “hanging.” I responded honestly, “who doesn’t like hanging and having fun?” That seemed to catch his attention.

When he failed to give me a clear signal about his level of interest in meeting me, I sent my phone number and suggested he call or text me if he wanted to take me out and meet me. The next thing I knew, I saw him block me on the app. I guess I was asking for too much of a commitment too soon. I considered…