You had a great time on the date. You’re still laughing thinking about that one really funny thing he said that had you belly laughing. And there was the way he really engaged with you when you were talking. And you liked the way his shirt fit him around his chest. You’d say the date went really well!
It’s been 29 hours (but who’s counting?) since you said goodbye and there’s been no sign of contact from him. A sinking anxiety slowly settles into your gut.
You knew he was going to be spending the next couple of days taking his grandma on a road trip to California. So you think, maybe I’ll just text him a quick, “Hope you’re having an amazing trip with your grandma, safe travels!”
You debate back and forth. The feeling of anxiety is increasing in your gut. You are so curious to know what he’s thinking. Even a response back from him saying his trip is going well, would confirm to you that such a good date was not just a figment of your imagination.
You send the text.
You don’t hear back for another 5 hours, even though the message is marked “read”. He writes, “Thanks, the trip is going great!”
It feels flat to you and you feel bad for even having texted.
Ever been there before?
Is there anything wrong with sending a friendly text to a man while dating or is it what many would call “chasing” a man and advise against?
I am a believer that men are obvious with their actions if they are interested in a woman and that they value what they have to take risks for.
So I think a better question is—-what is his lack of communication/clarity bringing up for you? If some time has passed and he hasn’t contacted you after a date, what feelings start to come up for you?
AND
How are those feelings driving your actions?
Where is your motivation coming from— Does your desire to reach out with a friendly text (or stop by his work or make him cookies) come from feelings of anxiety, insecurity, or a compulsion to have a certain outcome?
OR is it coming from a place of wanting to express, connect, compliment, thank, etc. A place of generosity where you feel confident in who you are and are unattached to the outcome?
If it’s one of the more difficult feelings, identify if there is a story underneath that feeling and if it is saying something like:
If he doesn’t want me, that confirms that I’m not good enough for him.
Or I’m not pretty enough.
Or if I’m not in control of making this relationship happen then it won’t because I’m not worthy of being loved without earning it.
Is there a story that could be driving a chase?
I like to define “chasing” as having the energetic quality that feels like desperation—like a person is trying to get something, usually validation, from the other person instead of wanting to know that person in order to build a loving connection.
Because men can smell desperation energy a mile away. When he feels this it speaks loudly to a healthy man that a woman isn’t prepared to value herself in a relationship and that this could lead to more problems and drama later on.
So what’s wrong with a woman chasing (calling, texting, giving gifts etc.) to a man? Well I’d say none of those things are wrong in themselves. But check yourself before you do—am I setting out to make a loving connection with this man or I am coming from a place where I am needing some kind of validation?
If it’s the latter - just hold off.
And go find something you love to do that feels much better!
If you find yourself in that place where your interactions with men come more from a place of needing validation and you’d want to explore more why that is happening for you, let’s have a conversation. Schedule a time to talk here.