Are You Dating an Emotionally Unavailable Woman?

It can be exciting to chase after someone who’s playing hard to get.

A woman who knows what she wants and demands men to step up can be incredibly attractive, and when she finally gives in, the victory becomes that much sweeter.

But a lady who’s hard to get is different from an emotionally unavailable woman. And if you suddenly find yourself dating someone who struggles with her feelings, it can come with a whole host of challenges you may not be prepared for.

The Emotionally Unavailable Woman: Who Is She?

What does it mean to be emotionally unavailable?

They’re not comfortable with expressing their emotions. They often see things like love or sorrow as a weakness. And it takes a long time for them to accept help that they clearly need.

Sound familiar? Yeah, it sounds like society’s traditional view of the typical macho man, or the guy who still has a lot of growing up to do. But emotional unavailability isn’t limited to only one gender.

It might seem like an exciting challenge to be with someone like that. But in reality, being with an emotionally unavailable woman in a relationship can set you up for heartbreak and disappointment.

Not only will she have a hard time connecting with you, but she may also not even know exactly what she wants herself.

That can make building a loving and healthy partnership an uphill battle.

How to Know You’re Dating an Emotionally Unavailable Woman

It won’t always be fun and games when you’re in a relationship with a woman who is not in touch with her feelings.

Take note of these important things to understand what it’s really like dating an emotionally unavailable woman:

• She can display inconsistent behavior.

  Just because she said yes to a date today doesn’t mean she won’t change her mind tomorrow.

  You’ll need to be extra patient with her, because chances are she’ll send you mixed signals to the point where you may not know if you’re already officially together or not.

  But if you’re ready for a real relationship and you want to know where you stand, you’re better off with someone who also wants the same thing you do.

• She may not initiate emotional connection.

  If you wait for her to make the first move when it comes to working on your emotional intimacy, you can end up waiting for a very long time.

  An emotionally unavailable woman will not be comfortable acknowledging the fact that she wants to connect with you. If you want something to happen, it will need to start from your side.

  If you’re comfortable with always making the first move, then that’s fine. But if you prefer a more reciprocal connection, you might as well move on and find someone who’s just as comfortable as you are initiating emotional bonds.

• She is most likely afraid of commitment.

  Contrary to popular belief, men aren’t the only ones who deal with commitment issues.

  Women who are emotionally unavailable may not find it worth the trouble to invest in a man and in a relationship if there’s a chance they will get hurt. But nobody gets into relationships just to get hurt, anyway. You get that, too, right? That’s probably why you checked out this article.

  But if you’re ready to commit, know that an emotionally unavailable woman might not be on the same page. You might be better off feeling the pain of saying goodbye now, than enduring it for months, even years, to come.

Accept the Love You Know You Deserve

Maintaining a relationship with an emotionally unavailable woman can take a lot out of you.

Yes, people change and learn to grow out of their issues, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of others. You also deserve to feel wanted and pursued.

If in the end the woman you’re dating just can’t meet you halfway, then she may not be the one for you.