Tag Archives: Pandemic Dating

Lessons from my first girlfriend at 34. (2022 Remaster)

Picture of a half broken, half shattered windows of glass in an RV.

First romantic relationship at age 34..

Warning: complaining/venting.

She probably views me as a scrub. Scrub from the TLC song of the same name. No job, unemployed, relationship novice, doesn’t have shit together, Smokes pot.

For those blog readers reading this post for the first time, because I linked it in a post from November 2022, this post is from January 30th, 2021. It is a reflection of the person I was at that time. The good, the bad, the cringe, the hurt, the past version of me. Remastered, edited, tweaked for SEO.

Without ado, here is the remastered 2022 version of: First romantic relationship at age 34..

No scrubs by TLC

The truth is we were incompatible. She wanted something completely different from me. She wanted me to buy stuff, and I wasn’t comfortable with that. I do not wish for a text-only relationship. I don’t want a long-distance relationship.

She was an ambitious, driven businesswoman from Hong Kong who wanted to travel and be rich. Retire early. A day trader who trades gold stocks. A literal fucking Gold digger.

(11/06/2022 edit: I originally had Gold Digger by Kanye West. While he was controversial then, since then I can not ethically support him in any way, so I’m changing the song in this post to Respect by Aretha Franklin. In an ironic twist, Kanye has become an Attention Digger)

Respect by Aretha Franklin

Maybe it went too hot, too fast.

I gave into the fantasy of the relationship. I was desperate to finally have a girlfriend. And it was happening. It was too good to be true.

Relationships don't end because two people did something wrong to each other- They end because two people are something wrong for each other. Mark Manson
Credit: Mark Manson.

Too good too be true

Once again, I saw what I wanted to see. I overlooked problems because I wanted to have a girlfriend no matter what. She was my first girlfriend ever, at age 34. I bought into the fantasy because I’ve been so deprived of romance. Which is ultimately my fault. I fucked up in so many ways.

I felt I was ready to date back in November. After this breakup, I’m not sure I actually was. Or am. I’m so tired of never feeling good enough to date. I feel like I have to be perfect to date anyone. At the same time, I don’t want to do all the required work. Dating and relationships work. All I’ve known is pain. I don’t see the benefit of dating. I don’t want to constantly improve. I don’t want to settle, either. I feel that means that I’ll never be enough as I am.

Dating hasn’t been fun. Since men have to do all the work to obtain a relationship, Men in western cultures generally have to take the lead in relationships. Sometimes it’s a lonely and draining experience when you have to do more work. My dating life is over. (CRINGE) I wish that I would be at peace with never dating again. I’m okay being single… But for the rest of my life? Not until I at least have one good long-term romance. Then I could say I tried and gave up. I’m not entitled to a relationship. I don’t feel it’s worth the time, energy, money, or effort. I don’t feel life is worth the time, energy, money, or action. I never wanted to date, to begin with. It feels like an unpaid internship where you’re constantly led on by the promise of more like a carrot on a stick. But that job offer never happens.

I feel this is impossible because of my mental illness. I resent my sexual and romantic needs. It feels like a curse. Life would be so much easier without them. The worst part of all this is that my insecurities were again correct.

I just want to be. Then again, I’m pretty stupid with this stuff.

All I know is I deserve better than that relationship. I learned that I’m not afraid of commitment; I’m so scared of wasting my time. Once again…

What is love? by Haddaway.


Thank you for reading this; if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates!


Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19!


© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

Love and Christmas shopping in Pandemic

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Love and happiness +

Just like that, I have a girlfriend.

For the first time, the feelings are mutual!

…Finally. Everything’s right.

I’ve got a woman, by Ray Charles

I’m having a hard time keeping my head straight. One hand I’m choosing to be mindful of these wonderful feelings. To accept all the love and affection I’m feeling.

Oh, love is a wonderful feeling when it’s the right time, the right person, the right self. I fear it’s a drug that will swallow me.

Soon I won’t have to do “Fake it ’til you make it” because I’ll have made it!

A life long goal of romantic love… 🙂

This is happening because I can trust myself.

I worried that I’m oversharing this budding relationship on the blog.

Balancing radical honesty and healthy boundaries is tough.

I’m learning. This change has come so fast that I’m blown away at how amazing life can be with romance!

A dream is coming true… Be patient.


Christmas shopping in pandemic.

Yesterday I went Christmas present shopping.

It was time.

Hard to believe that Xmas is a week away.

I listened to Christmas music all yesterday and it felt right. I wasn’t rushed into it in November at stores because of the pandemic. It was time to do my presents shopping.

I usually buy presents throughout the year as spend time with people. I listen to things they say they would like, and I write it down to give them as a present.

I’m in the mood… I’m in the mood for Christmas.

Outside shopping right now is like choosing to be John McCain in Die Hard. To don your mask, and drive to a store to go shopping is to willingly put yourself at risk of contracting Coronavirus. I know because I was exposed at work despite everyone following the guidelines.

I took the risk because I’m tired of staying at home.

I feel like I have to consider the risk of the health risks of loneliness by being safe, or risk getting covid because of my natural human need to see the world, and be around my fellow humans.

I assumed stores wouldn’t be too busy on a Thursday evening.

Despite everyone in the 3 stores wearing masks and distancing, it was also a bit thrilling.

Sometimes the aisles wouldn’t allow 6 feet of space between you and the other person. Even with both of u having masks on, it felt dangerous. I took pre-pandemic life for granted. When all you had to worry about at the store was what you were going to buy as a gift for a loved one… Without the risk of dying yourself.

I have a love-hate relationship with Xmas. I love gift giving, wrapping presents, and being with family. One of my love languages is gift giving. I enjoy getting presents for people that gives them joy. I hate the consumer-capitalist aspect of Xmas. So, I like to be a sly shopper while buying what people want for presents.

This Christmas is lean for me. Problem is, is that I have so many new friends in my life that I want to give a present to. And I want to do something for all my family members who stepped and supported me this year.

Time to get creative.

Another day in the pandemic. Where all we can do is be patient and do the best we can with what we have.

I hope I get a new job by the end of the year.

Not gonna lie, getting presents is awesome. What I want most for Christmas is to be able to spend quality time with my family and friends without fear.


Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates!

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19! 

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

Distanced love

Distanced love

I’m learning on the fly.

This is the first romantic relationship I’ve had. One where you are boyfriend and girlfriend.

I’m ecstatic, yet nervous.

It’s so easy, yet challenging as we adjust to each other.

Love in the time of covid is strange.

All our relationships are at a distance. All new relationships long distance.

We matched on Tinder. She liked my profile. Our relationship is alive through WhatsApp texting.

Chatting with a new person only over text is hard sometimes. I imagine it feels like it did in my grandparents generation, communicating over letters.

My grandparents on my mom’s side communicated over letters before meeting. My grandfather was drafted and in WW2. They eventually married when he proposed with a ring in a letter.

Online only interaction makes me crazy.

Coronavirus complicates traditional dating. In person is at 6 feet with masks on.

I’m worried because I’m falling hard, and it’s going well.

It’s hard to temper my feelings when I’m high off of the love.

On one hand, I’m glad this is slowly building. On the other I want to meet her and spend quality time together.

This is so much better than a crush, or an almost-not quite relationship.

I’ve been patient for so so long…

Tried so hard, didn’t get too far. Murphy’s law in action.

It’s hard to believe this bliss is real. Balancing optimistic and pessimistic thinking.

Must be nice to have faith and religion.

This will be my first romantic relationship at age 34. My previous efforts in vain. Not any more.

I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

In these dark days there is light.

Don’t forget about love.


Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates! 

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19! 

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

Goal: Go on 1 date before 2021!

Picture of flowers

At the beginning of this month in therapy, I set a goal to accomplish before the end of the year: To go on one date. Which in 2020 means in person, physically distanced, wearing a mask.

It’s time for me to rejoin the dating pool. Yes, I know the pandemic is in full swing. That fear of getting covid-19 hasn’t left. According to recent news… It seems that the virus will be around at least far into 2021, and possibly 2022. I am not waiting any longer to date. I’m ready now. It’s been 7 years since my last date, and I’m fed up with having a lackluster dating history. That said, I’m looking forward to dating.


Dating obstacles:

Obstacles: Better profile pics. I Need help making a profile that reflects my strengths. This means I need to do some work in therapy discovering what my strengths are. This time it would help if I had a professional photographer take some photos of me.

Last Sunday I joined Tinder for the first time, along with a couple other dating apps. Tinder has overall been a mixed bag… Mostly bots and scammers. But I did match up with and have some nice chats with two women on there! So far so good! After my last awful experience with OK Cupid, Match, and Craiglist like 10 years ago, I stopped trying at online dating. Going 1/1000 can do that. Struggling with mental health at the time didn’t help. Thankfully I have that managed now. Now I’m learning how these new dating apps work. Apparently I have some matches on some of them, but I can’t see who or respond until I pay money. I’ve really struggled with self worth for a long time, especially in dating, so it’s nice to see that women find me attractive! I don’t expect to find the person for me right away, but its a nice start!

What do I want?

  • Someone who says what they mean. Tell me exactly what you feel and what you want. No subtext. Don’t hint. Don’t make me guess. Blurt it out if you have to.
  • Is emotionally available.
  • A secure attachment.
  • Inter-dependent.
  • No alcoholics or addicts.
  • Mutual attraction.
  • I don’t want to be anyone’s “rock” Be your own rock.
  • No Republicans or Trump voters.
  • Must have relationship status on social media be “single”.
  • This will be my first romantic relationship and girlfriend. I don’t want to be a third, or side piece. Maybe in the future if things change, but not now.
  • I don’t want to date a single mom. This is simply too much for me as a person who hasn’t had a girlfriend before or dated much at all. That said, there sure are a lot of sexy single moms out there.
  • Is confident in herself and doesn’t seek constant approval and external validation.
  • Understands that “No means No”.
  • Respects my boundaries.
  • Respects my need for space.
  • Communicates fairly during conflict.
  • Views going to therapy as a positive thing.
  • Does self care.
  • Is okay that I have depression, anxiety, adhd, and high functioning autism. I need support, not care-taking because this is my responsibility.
  • Is not deceptive on their online dating profile. Don’t waste my time.
  • Is patient with me and my dating inexperience.
  • Likes cats.
  • Doesn’t mind that I smoke pot.
  • Has their shit together.
  • Kind and compassionate.
  • I want to have kids in a few years.
  • No second chances.
  • No long distance relationships
  • No waiting to get together. I need Quality Time, and it is possible to safely meet during the pandemic.

I probably forgot some things in that list, so if you have any thoughts, feel free to leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook, or now, Pinterest! Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates!

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19!

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.