I (34m straight) am dating. I have been dating seriously since I got out of college five years ago after not dating for four years in college and not dating seriously in my early 20s. In the last five years I have had a two year relationship and a six month relationship.
I am finding that all the women I encounter are not available. Supposedly they want a long term relationship. Sometimes I think they are attracted to me. Since the end of January I have been dating again and have gone on at least one first date a week for the last 10ish weeks.
Women generally do not take the initiative to plan a time and a location. I do, I ask, first date goes ok. Then, for subsequent dates, they aren't available and scheduling is a pain. Friends, family, hobbies, grocery store, change of the wind all take priority over getting a date. If they weren't interested, fine, but sometimes I am pursued, I suggest a time, nope they are busy. I suggest another time, nope can't do it. Then don't date? I am more accomadating with strangers and coworkers, if you can't accommodate a date, don't date.
For example, I had a second date with a girl last Friday. My feeling is meh and I'm honestly hoping she doesn't want to meet again. She texts me last Saturday thanking me for Friday and wants to meet again but is busy throughout the week and will reach out later, I text her back saying yeah we should meet up again, kinda noncommital tone on my part because I'm not super interested.
She texts me two days ago (Thursday night) asking me my plans and saying she would like to do something again. All good so far, she did say she would be busy that week. I tell her I'm free Sunday or any evening next week. She says she can't meetup and is packing for a trip today (Saturday) but maybe next weekend. Ok…….why come out of the woodwork to ask me when I am around? No thanks, leave me alone please. I feel like 100% of the women I date are like this for the first few months, and if the relationship progresses they magically become available down the line.