By: The Girl Behind The Dreamer's Pause
Let’s talk about it, babes.
Because it’s officially wild out here.
We, the generation of TikTok therapy, late-night voice notes, Spotify playlists, and oddly timed emotional breakdowns, are out here navigating love like it’s a group project—confusing, chaotic, and most of the time, the other person didn’t even show up.
Let me ask you this: Do you believe in soulmates? I used to. Heavy on the used to. Until I noticed that in today’s dating pool (which feels more like a puddle some days), people aren’t swimming toward forever—they’re just floating around until the next "vibe" shows up.
But here’s the real kicker:
Gen Z Ain’t Buying The “Soulmate” Fantasy
According to a 2023 YouGov study, nearly 70% of Gen Z say nah fam to the idea of soulmates. Yep—70% of us think love is built, not “meant to be.” That’s a shift.
Instead of waiting on the universe to magically hand us "the one," many of us are focusing on shared values, emotional safety, and personal growth. It's less “love at first sight” and more “love after clear communication, mutual healing, and signed emotional contracts.”
Psychologists call this the rise of secure-functioning relationships—relationships that are built on stability and intention, not fantasy.
Sounds good on paper, right?
But here's the contradiction.
We Want Depth—But We're Stuck in Situationships
Despite wanting all this emotional safety, many of us are deep in situationships—those “we’re-together-but-not-really” spaceships where no one knows where they’re going, but we’re vibing... for now.
According to the Wall Street Journal (2025), Gen Z is getting tired of that. We’re actually burnt out on vague connections and begging for something real. But at the same time, we’re scared of vulnerability, commitment, or—let’s be honest—boredom.
So we ghost. We text dry. We say things like “let’s see where this goes” even when we know where it’s headed: nowhere.
The Rise of Rebellious Realism
You’d think with all this burnout, people would be running toward marriage, family, and stability. But plot twist! Millennials aren’t rushing either. In fact, many are opting for co-parenting without relationships, multiple body counts by design, and romantic freedom over rings.
It’s not rebellion in the usual way—it’s rebellion in disguise. A lowkey "I’ll do it my way" love story that skips the fairy tale and goes straight to freedom. But at what cost?
Some of us are over here trying to practice intentional love, holding out for someone who doesn't just match our energy but respects our soul. And for that? We get called crazy, too deep, or worse: "too picky."
But let’s be honest—what’s wrong with believing love should be more than just vibes and co-parenting contracts?
Not Crazy, Just Conscious
Here’s what I want to say to every Gen Z or Millennial reading this who still believes in something more:
You are not naive. You are not outdated. You are not weak.
You are conscious in a time when numbness is trending.
You’re the silent rebels, the emotional architects, the ones who believe that while the world swipes right, there’s still room to pause, build, and feel.
So whether you’re waiting for “the one” or growing with “the right one for now,” just make sure it’s real, not reactive.
Because you? You’re not for temporary.
APA References
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