Search Results: international relationships

There are two types of long distance relationships:

1. When you meet, you live near each other, you begin a relationship, and then circumstances lead one of you to move away far enough that you can't see each other on a weekly basis. I am NOT asking about this type of LDR.

2. The second type is where you meet online, exchange texts, emails, phone calls, and clearly establish some romantic interest in each other. THIS is what I am asking about.

I have had the second type. I met a user on this site, who I will not name due to my respect for her. She is a beautiful lady who lives in Brazil, about 3,500 miles from my hometown. We talked, but not frequently, as she was somewhat shy, but we texted more frequently. I would have flown to Brazil to meet her, but this happened in 2020 - covid times. It became obvious that the international travel ban would not soon be lifted and there were some other factors that made me less hopeful about a future with her. We ended the regular communications and I have only heard from her sporadically since then.

I have a theory that shy people sometimes seek long distance relationships because they have an internal conflict: part of them wants to be in a relationship and part of them wants to run away from the idea. By finding a LDR, you can tell yourself that you are in a relationship without facing the prospect of actually meeting and dealing with all of the anxiety associated with that. But, of course, LDRs rarely materialize into real long term relationships. For most people, they are just a form of temporary "pretend" relationships.

What is your experience with LDRs?

This nation is in a very, very bad shape right now. People are deeply polarized; everything you do is expensive; and people have become more sensitive, reserved, and self-centered.

Neo-feminism has resulted in a lot of very lonely, single men. Sadly, I am one of those extremely lonely souls. It seems people don't want to meet or form friendships or relationships organically anymore. Online dating has destroyed the prospects for the average male, but it seems like the de-facto way of dating these days for my generation. In addition, with the uncertainties brought about by advancements in AI, international tensions, and so many issues domestically, I feel we are on the verge of societal collapse.

I have been losing more and more faith in humanity. Sometimes I feel I am living in the twilight zone. I was layed off recently, and since, I have barely left the house. Everything is too depressing. I have no motivation to work as I am burnt out, and I am tired of seeing all my peers I have known growing up get married and form families. It is incredibly difficult to make new friends as it is. Couple my social deficits with that, it feels like a nightmare.