The Architecture of Distance: Understanding the "Phantom" Ex and Idealized Partner
In demanding corporate careers, we are trained to optimize—to never settle for "good enough." But when we apply this same logic to our love lives, it can become a defense mechanism. A way to stay emotionally distant while convincing yourself you’re just a "romantic with high standards."
Waiting for Better: How Placeholding Hurts Your Success
A placeholder partner is someone you date temporarily to fill a void, avoid loneliness, or pass the time until someone "better" comes along. It's safe, it's comfortable, and it's fundamentally unfair to them and damaging to you.