I’ve been feeling really lost lately. I’m in a long-distance relationship with a girl I care about, but she doesn’t really express her feelings with me, because she’s afraid that if we go deeper emotionally, it might eventually lead to something sexual before marriage.
At the same time, I’m trying hard to stay away from dating apps and avoid porn, because I don’t want to fall into sins. But the truth is, my sexual energy is strong, and as a man I naturally want a girl by my side.
Another challenge is that I moved to the States about 9 months ago, and I’m not used to how relationships work here. Back home, if I wanted to marry, my family would search for me, we’d meet each other, and if things went well, we’d get married. Here it feels completely different, and I don’t really know where to start.
So I feel torn: do I stay loyal to a relationship where I’m not getting emotional closeness, or do I step back for the sake of my faith and my own needs? And if I do move on, how can I even meet someone without using dating apps or going to clubs, since I want to stay away from that lifestyle?
Has anyone been through something similar? How did you handle it?
TL;DR: Long-distance girlfriend avoids expressing feelings (religious reasons, fear of premarital sex). I’m avoiding dating apps and porn, but still want a partner. I moved to the States 9 months ago, and unlike back home where family helps arrange marriage, I don’t know how to meet someone here without apps or clubs. Should I stay loyal or move on?