2024 has passed, and a new year is upon us. For many, the start of a new year is a time for reflection: looking back on the year behind us, and determining a new trajectory for what’s ahead
It feels fitting to enter 2025 with an article reflecting on the relationships of our last year. I asked readers to submit their own experiences with relationships in 2024, and was generously obliged. May the lessons these readers took from their past year resonate with you, and for everyone – whether you are interested in romance or not – I hope you’re all able to surround yourself with people who make you feel loved and valued this year and beyond. A belated happy New Year to you all, and enjoy these reflections submitted by your peers!
I was hit with this realisation that I was loving a person through their process of rediscovering themselves.
Submitted by: Anonymous (She/Her)
My lovelife has certainly been.... interesting this year. The countdown to January first was welcomed with the brilliant news that my ex did not in fact leave me because she thought she could never love anyone, and was too busy in college for a relationship, but with the news that she was actually in love with her new college best friend. The next four months ended with the discovery that I was, in fact, not a lesbian, after a boy helped silently paint a wall with me, and got his phone mugged on our first date. He only realized two hours later because we were too caught up in conversation, and had spent hours chatting and listening to each other. And now, I have entered a new year in my longest relationship, with the most genuine person who doesn't make me feel lesser, and more importantly, truly makes every moment better, even if that is quite the cliche.
Submitted by: Anonymous
I had a boyfriend for a while. He decided he was done with me, and I was forced to move forward. I’m thankful. There is freedom in letting go and being pushed to be independent. I now get to learn more about who I am freely, and trust myself. I am learning how to love myself and validate myself instead of needing a partners’ approval. This is critical to growing up and being steady on one’s own two feet.
Submitted by: Anonymous First Year
I was texting a lad all through January to April, then he ghosts me. It's okay, I make peace with it. Later, because I'm nosy, I ask him if he got into his preferred college (Trinity). He says yes and apologises for ghosting me with a long, LONG paragraph. We text for the next two months, and folks guess what. HE GHOSTS ME AGAIN! Moral of the story: stay away from scouts and don't go back to a ghoster!
Submitted by: Anonymous
One night about four months into my relationship with a newly recovering addict, we sat in my living room and she confessed she would NEVER play Just Dance with me. It was the lowest of lows. It was a ridiculous thing to sober me up to the reality of our relationship at that time, but it felt like I was trying to pull her into a world she wasn’t sure she belonged to anymore. I was hit with this realisation that I was loving a person through their process of rediscovering themselves. With that came a lot of rockiness, pain, worry, insecurity, and more. But, coming out at the other end, I learnt I actually cared about someone other than myself in a way that struck down anything I ever knew about genuine connection. Despite all my efforts in life to control every outcome, my love for her could not fill the gaps left by her past, or force her into an identity she could not yet embrace. And so, patience and adoration for the strong and resilient person she is became my best friend. A year later, we’ve moved in together, learned a lot about who we are individually and together and it’s not so uncommon that we play Just Dance.
Submitted by: A Frustrated College Student
It seems to me like men don’t really know what they want; and when they do, they aren’t honest about it. I’ve already given up on finding love in person, so I’ve settled for searching on dating apps. However when guys match with me, after seeing that my profile says I’m looking for a long term relationship, they run screaming for the hills at the thought of a long term relationship. If you don’t want something long term and serious, stop matching and flirting with girls that do! At least be honest about wanting a casual hookup, stop leading us on.