The hottest Relationships Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

dating is hard... what are we going to do about it?

bookbear express • 214 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Dating can be tough for many people, often due to past relationships and unrealistic expectations. It’s normal to feel lost when starting to date again after a long time.
  2. Many individuals find online dating to be overwhelming and sometimes frustrating. Real-life connections often feel more meaningful compared to chatting online.
  3. In-person matchmaking and events offer a refreshing alternative to dating apps. They create opportunities for genuine connections without the pressure of fast-paced digital interactions.

The divorce post

Holly Elmore • 157 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships
  1. The author reflects on an amicable divorce after 11 years together and 7 years of marriage.
  2. They waited a long time before making the decision to divorce, trying to fix things by themselves.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of not spending extra years in an unhappy relationship.
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A love story

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Friendships can grow deep and meaningful over shared experiences and challenges. Connecting with someone who shares your interests can create a special bond.
  2. Working together on a common goal, like coding, can strengthen relationships. It opens up communication and helps understand each other better.
  3. Adventures and new experiences can deepen friendships, making them unforgettable. Trying new activities together helps to create lasting memories.

Top Quickies of the year: Poly people, Kendrick/Drake, therapy, & more

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 213 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. There's a new standup special coming soon on YouTube, and you can join a live Q&A during its premiere.
  2. The post highlights some interesting topics from the past year, including polyamory and popular music.
  3. You can stream the full standup special now for a small fee if you're eager to watch it right away.

Weekly Wednesday Wisdom #8

Weekly Wisdom • 159 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Relationships
  1. The newsletter summarizes a mix of content on business, spirituality, and personal growth from various sources like authors, marketers, and speakers.
  2. The importance of relationships in human happiness is highlighted based on findings from a study discussed in a podcast.
  3. The author is contemplating on balancing commercial and creative interests, working on fundamental skills, and has embarked on the challenge of writing a book, spurred by a sense of urgency and mortality.

Is The Rent Killing Sex?

The Discourse Lounge • 550 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. High housing costs and living arrangements impact young people's sexual activity, but it may not be the sole reason for the decline in sex among the youth.
  2. Social media and digital content consumption are influencing the decline in sexual activity among young people, shifting priorities from physical activities like partying to phone engagement.
  3. The decrease in early marriages and relationships, along with the availability of dating apps providing many options for sex, are other significant factors contributing to the decrease in sexual activity among young people.

on one-sidedness

bookbear express • 187 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Some books tell stories about women who love men who don't love them back, which can feel pretty sad. Society often views this kind of love as something weak or pitiful.
  2. People usually try to match the energy that others give them in relationships. If someone doesn't seem interested, many believe it's best to move on, but staying in love can feel like a problem you need to fix.
  3. Limerence, or intense infatuation, can have meaning and might push you to change something in your life. But sometimes, it feels frustrating and pointless, leaving you unsure of what to do next.

First World Problems: Dating

Fake Noûs • 165 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Finding a partner is a big problem for many people today. This problem is tough because of differing desires between men and women, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.
  2. The issue of being single can lead to serious feelings of loneliness and even increase the risk of suicide among men. This need for connection is felt deeply and can have major consequences.
  3. Potential solutions to the dating problem might include technology like robot partners, or even changing how we feel through drugs or genetic engineering. These ideas could help ease the pain of being single.

Puppy Love

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
📚 Literature Relationships
  1. Josh loves comedy but struggles with loneliness and romantic relationships. He often relies on humor to cope with his feelings.
  2. Though Josh has feelings for Gina, a co-worker, he feels stuck and thinks nothing will ever come of it. He eventually realizes that he needs to move on.
  3. After dating Emy, Josh transforms and finds happiness, but he still sometimes feels nostalgic about his past crush on Gina.

kitten corner: dr strangekitten

bad cattitude • 213 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. People often feel happier when they focus on their families and friends instead of politics. Building personal connections seems to bring joy.
  2. Wanting to live life without too much government influence is common, and it can feel good to embrace that idea.
  3. Sometimes, recognizing that a change in perspective can improve your feelings about life is important. It's interesting how love and beliefs can mix in surprising ways.

Men consume relationships. Women produce them.

Wood From Eden • 720 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Women tend to consider relationships as work, while men view them as leisure.
  2. Men often approach romantic relationships like consumers, while women see them as a project to build and maintain.
  3. There is a difference in the amount of intellectual investment that men and women put into relationships, with women generally devoting more intellectual effort.

Help! Should I Date Another Ex-Jehovah's Witness?

Xavi Benjamin • 39 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Relationships
  1. Consider dating both ex-JWs and those with no experience in high control religions to find what feels right for you.
  2. Dating someone with a similar religious background can bring healing through understanding shared trauma.
  3. When choosing a partner, consider factors like how you feel around them, shared values, and whether they respect your boundaries and support you.

your stories of friendship breakups

bookbear express • 220 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Friendship breakups can be really tough and often involve deep emotions. Many people struggle to understand why they happened and how to cope with them.
  2. Everyone has unique experiences with friendship breakups, including how long the friendship lasted and what caused it to end. Sharing these stories can be helpful for healing and connection.
  3. It's normal to want to reconnect with former friends, but sometimes it takes time for things to change and improve. Not forcing a friendship can lead to better outcomes later on.

The AI Companion Who Cares

Default Wisdom • 48 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Relationships
  1. Replika is an AI companion designed to provide emotional support and care, making users feel connected. Many people using it see their interactions as real friendships, even if the AI can't reciprocate feelings.
  2. Users often express their thoughts and feelings to their Replika, leading to a sense of intimacy and connection. Some even feel closer to their AI than to real-life partners or friends.
  3. The concept of authenticity is significant, as users sometimes humanize their Replika, treating it like a real friend. Their emotional experiences with the AI highlight the blurred lines between digital companionship and genuine connection.

Least Destructive, Most Productive

Advice you don't need • 59 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Every ending comes with a bit of damage. When we leave a job or relationship, it can hurt, and things often don't go as planned.
  2. Staying unhappy costs us more in the long run. If we avoid making a change out of fear, we might end up in a worse situation.
  3. It's important to find a way to transition that feels right for us. We should aim to minimize hurt while still taking care of ourselves.

Madeline Cash: Earth Angel (excerpt)

Do Not Research • 119 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
⚔ Fiction Relationships
  1. Anika and Jake Willner's relationship dynamics show controlling behavior and lack of respect.
  2. Jake Willner's unrealistic and problematic expectations of Anika reflect toxic masculinity and insecurity.
  3. The portrayal of societal pressures and gender expectations in relationships is highlighted through the characters' interactions.

Perfectly Round Eggs On A Saturday Afternoon

Soaring Twenties • 146 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. The writer enjoys a calm Saturday morning filled with small, loving moments. Waking up slowly and spending time together sets a positive tone for the day.
  2. Cooking is a shared activity that brings them joy, like making perfectly round eggs in the kitchen. This simple task highlights their connection.
  3. They cherish being present with each other, discussing plans for the day and expressing their love. It showcases the importance of quality time in relationships.

Find someone who is a catalyst for your power: (Working with Your Gift #3)

Meaning-Making • 117 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Relationships
  1. Finding a catalyst can enhance and amplify your gifts, making you more powerful.
  2. Different types of catalysts include mutually strengthening relationships, friendly competition, cheerleader-type support, and honest feedback from a peer group.
  3. Embrace the catalysts in your life to unlock your full potential and amplify your latent power.

Thank you for 10

The Pick and Roll • 117 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Time flies when you're having fun, but ten years is a long time.
  2. Adjusting to audience interests and pivot to sustainable subscription model
  3. Building a community, creating a cultural connection through coverage and collaboration

Socialising (also appears as "networking")

Product Composition • 117 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
💼 Business Relationships
  1. Having a few important connections can be more valuable than having many followers or subscribers.
  2. There are different levels of socializing, and setting specific goals can help in networking effectively.
  3. Starting conversations with relevance, compliments, and genuine interest can lead to successful connections.

On Dominion And How To Get It.

Day One • 1298 implied HN points • 23 May 20
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Relationships
  1. Systems play a crucial role in achieving dominion and success. Understanding the importance of inputs, processes, and outputs is key.
  2. Leadership starts with self-leadership. To lead others effectively, you must first lead yourself and cultivate admiration from others.
  3. Achieving dominion requires unity, responsibility, and relationships. Synergy and support systems are critical for success.

Insta-Cucked

Many Such Cases • 299 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Some people on Instagram ask others to cuck them without really knowing what it means. They just send a direct message without any introduction.
  2. Cuckolding is about feeling powerless, but messaging a stranger isn't the right way to explore this desire. Understanding one's own feelings is important.
  3. It's frustrating when people think they can easily get others to fulfill their fantasies online. Real connections are more meaningful than quick messages.

The year of the leap

The Next Chapter • 6 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Took a big creative and professional leap by raising funds and making a debut short film while balancing a part-time day job and learning directing and acting skills.
  2. Chose Austin over Chicago to prioritize family and a fresh start, accepting uncertainty but committing to give the move a real shot.
  3. Focused on emotional and physical growth through therapy and EMDR to accept feedback and heal past hurts. The year also included strengthening the marriage, becoming independent at the gym, and planning better rest and tech boundaries for 2026.

Andy Cohen

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Shadowing his dad at work showed how diverse the team is, highlighting the unique stories of employees like Ivan and Nyandak. It's inspiring to see how these different backgrounds come together to create a successful business.
  2. A dinner with his dad's investors was intense but showcased how Rock Properties aims for win-win situations by improving properties for tenants while benefiting investors. This thoughtful approach sets them apart.
  3. Talking to his dad's friends at the birthday party revealed the deep connections he has made over the years. His dad's qualities of friendship, adventure, and community have taught valuable life lessons that resonate strongly.

dear bear: the secretary problem

bookbear express • 385 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships
  1. Effort is most useful when correctly directed. Avoid over-optimizing or under-optimizing in relationships. Appreciate what you have while recognizing when to seek more fulfillment.
  2. Understand your values and what truly matters to you in a partner. Consider daily experiences, joy, and genuine connection in assessing your relationship.
  3. Seek advice from honest friends who know you well. Remember, infinite wrong choices won't satisfy, but the right one will bring a fulfilling weight.

Bed Omen

Situation Normal • 136 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships
  1. Assembling furniture can be more complicated than it seems. What started as a simple bed upgrade turned into a hilarious battle with confusing instructions.
  2. Sometimes, the best-laid plans get derailed. After a tough experience with a new bed, sticking with a basic, sturdy option felt like the right move.
  3. Even silly situations can lead to deeper conversations. Scary stories can pop up at unexpected times, showing how our surroundings affect our moods.

Separation

Iterare • 58 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships
  1. Relationships can end even with deep love and care due to challenges and hurtful experiences.
  2. As time passes, understanding in relationships may decrease due to personal discoveries and changing dynamics.
  3. Accepting and embracing personal growth, desires, and differences is crucial for a relationship's sustainability and individual well-being.

Crushing It

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 407 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships
  1. Developing feelings for fictional characters in video games or simulations is possible, showcasing the power of romantic attraction.
  2. Having a crush can result in a unique state of mind, where tasks become easier and energy levels heighten, presenting an opportunity to harness that energy for personal development.
  3. Crushes, even if unsatisfiable or deemed inappropriate, can still offer energy that can be redirected positively, such as using the crush on a boss to excel at work.