The hottest Relationships Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Intimate World and the Remote World

In My Tribe • 789 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Social media Communication Relationships Identity Community
  1. We are connecting more with strangers online than with people we know in real life. This shift is causing us to lose touch with our close relationships and communities.
  2. Social media blurs the lines between public personalities and intimate friends. This can create anxiety and make us feel insecure about our own social lives.
  3. To feel happier and healthier, we need to focus more on rebuilding our real-life connections. Being connected to family and friends in person is essential for our well-being.

America’s Families Are Not Okay

Persuasion • 2692 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Relationships Family Psychology Therapy Mental health
  1. Family estrangement is becoming more common in the United States, with societal shifts and individual empowerment contributing to the trend.
  2. The impact of estrangement on both parents and adult children can lead to deep sadness, embarrassment, and longing for familial connection.
  3. While family estrangement may seem like a socially endorsed choice, it carries a heavy emotional toll, spreading through generations and leaving individuals feeling lonely and anchorless.

Calling the Lonely Charts Club!

Chartbook • 801 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Arts Literature Relationships Society Politics
  1. There's a fun initiative where people can create personal ads looking for partners who share similar interests, especially in political economy and culture.
  2. The project encourages creativity in writing these ads, making them unique and tailored to individual preferences.
  3. People can submit their ads anonymously through a Google form, making it easier to express themselves.

honesty is a craft issue: lyz lenz in conversation with jeanna kadlec

astrology for writers • 2515 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Relationships Self-Improvement Parenting Personal Growth
  1. Honesty in writing is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative and connecting with readers.
  2. Sharing personal stories and experiences can empower others to make positive changes in their lives.
  3. Being honest with oneself can lead to self-awareness, growth, and the ability to make necessary changes.
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The virtue and private sorrow of Boomer Man

Jeff Giesea • 698 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Identity Psychology Relationships
  1. Boomer Man is friendly and kind, often going out of his way to help others and engage in small talk. He represents a generation that values community and social connection.
  2. Despite his genial exterior, Boomer Man struggles with deeper feelings of sorrow and questions about his legacy. He grapples with issues of mortality and relevance in today's fast-changing world.
  3. Though some may see him as outdated, Boomer Man still plays an important role in society, offering wisdom and support to the younger generations. His experiences and contributions matter now more than ever.

Future Talk with my Daughter in Heaven

Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans (PITT) • 2279 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Family Relationships Grief Forgiveness
  1. A conversation between a father and daughter in heaven reflects on past struggles with gender identity
  2. The father expresses regret for not protecting the daughter better and struggles with forgiving those who enabled gender confusion
  3. The daughter acknowledges the impact of her choices on her father, illuminating the challenges of understanding and coping with changing identities

Gen X: Marriage Failures

The Reclamation Era • 239 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Marriage Generations Relationships Parenting Self-awareness
  1. Getting married young can lead to problems because people often carry unresolved issues from their childhood into relationships. It's important to know yourself before tying the knot.
  2. Sometimes, societal pressure pushes people to marry quickly, without fully understanding their own needs and patterns. Taking time to figure things out can lead to healthier relationships.
  3. Middle-aged people, especially from Gen X, often face a tough choice: stay in a troubled marriage or leave for a chance at happiness. It's crucial to listen to one's gut and seek authenticity.

Guest Post: Love in the Age of TikTok

Reactionary Feminist • 13 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Media Relationships Technology Psychology Society
  1. Young conservatives are still affected by modern dating culture even when they criticize it. This shows that the influence of technology and social media reaches everyone, regardless of their beliefs.
  2. The way love is viewed today is often like a marketplace, where people assess each other like commodities. This shift can make real connections harder to form and diminish the value of love.
  3. Social media, especially short-form videos, changes how we interact and think. Constant scrolling can make it tough to focus or commit, which can harm deep, lasting relationships.

Will Robot Girlfriends Save Humanity, or Just Speed Up The Collapse?

OK Doomer • 114 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Loneliness Society Relationships
  1. A lot of people, including some men, are seriously considering having romantic relationships with AI and robot girlfriends. This shows how lonely and disconnected people are feeling today.
  2. Tech companies are seeing a huge rise in interest and money making potential from AI girlfriends, pointing to a bigger issue of loneliness in society. People crave connection, but often look for it in tech instead of with real relationships.
  3. The overall trend suggests a shift where people might prefer comfort from technology over real human connections, which could lead to bigger problems in society as our relationships with each other weaken.

Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center

Culture Study • 7245 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Friendship Relationships History Society Social norms
  1. Friendship used to be considered a vital part of life through history, becoming sidelined as marriage took priority in emotional connections.
  2. Modern ideals often emphasize a spouse also being a 'best friend', impacting how friendships are valued and maintained.
  3. Cultural norms and societal structures make it challenging to prioritize and nurture friendships over traditional family setups, but it's about understanding the possibilities and taking steps towards meaningful platonic connections.

Is it revolutionary to leave a marriage?

Maybe Baby • 602 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Marriage Relationships Personal Growth Social Commentary
  1. Leaving a marriage can be seen as a bold and revolutionary act. It often requires courage and self-reflection.
  2. Not every breakup is the answer for everyone, but some people can find inspiration from those who share their experiences.
  3. There can be practical advice for those considering a breakup, which may help them feel supported in their decision.

Palm Beach, Friendship Paradox, Personality and Eating

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1231 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology Social Status Relationships Personality Behavior Happiness
  1. Women with tattoos might be more open to casual relationships and tend to enjoy new experiences more than those without tattoos.
  2. Going to religious services regularly can make people happier than having a lot of money, showing the power of community and connection.
  3. Good-looking people are often seen as more trustworthy and capable, which can even influence how they're treated in court.

Ask Erik Hoel: "If I take a job at Meta, should I go long-distance with my girlfriend?"

The Intrinsic Perspective • 5983 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Life Balance Relationships
  1. Every era has its unique cultural norms that influence our life decisions; understanding and counterbalancing these norms can help in making personal choices.
  2. Choosing the less common path or the one opposite to what culture pushes may lead to personal growth and success, even if it feels challenging at first.
  3. Maintaining a balance between love and career decisions often involves navigating societal biases and personal priorities, requiring thoughtful introspection and contrarian thinking.

Why you’re not an impostor and you don’t need a best friend

Granted • 4452 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychology Relationships
  1. Friendship is about mutuality, not exclusivity. You don't have to rank friends or rely on one person for everything.
  2. Cultural differences impact communication styles. Americans being perceived as fake and the Dutch as rude is explored in a behavioral science article.
  3. Impostor syndrome is contradictory. When others believe in you but you doubt yourself, it might be time to trust their judgment over your own.

some thoughts on friendship

bookbear express • 770 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Friendship Relationships Personal Growth Social Dynamics Communication
  1. True friendship can feel like a marriage, taking time to develop and evolve. It's important to appreciate the journey of getting to know each other deeply over the years.
  2. Making friends is a lot like dating, with excitement and a bit of uncertainty. It takes time to figure out the friendship dynamics and sometimes requires patience to see if it grows.
  3. Friendship can be asymmetrical; one person may want more closeness than the other. It's okay to feel hurt by this, but it's also essential to recognize that not all friendships will be balanced.

Seeking: Dating advice

Maybe Baby • 750 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Relationships Dating Advice Social Lifestyle
  1. Sometimes, it helps to get different perspectives on personal questions. Asking friends or readers can lead to great advice.
  2. Everyone has unique experiences that can inform their advice. Sharing questions publicly can bring in valuable insights.
  3. It's okay to not have all the answers yourself. Leaning on a community for support and guidance can be really beneficial.

Harvard, Dog and Cat People, Casual Sex

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1458 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Psychology Education Arts Relationships
  1. Women tend to feel more loneliness and regret after casual sex, while men generally feel happier and more satisfied.
  2. In the Soviet Union, educated people were more supportive of communism compared to those with less education, showing that privilege can influence political beliefs.
  3. Trust levels vary by nationality; only a small percentage of Chinese citizens trust those from different countries, while much higher percentages in Germany, the US, and Australia do.

When Ghosting Is Right

Disaffected Newsletter • 1698 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotional Support Relationships Self-care
  1. Sometimes, ghosting someone can protect your safety, especially if they are harmful or toxic. It’s okay to stop communication if it's necessary for your well-being.
  2. Not everyone acts like a normal person; some people can be manipulative or cruel. Being aware of these types can help you decide when to distance yourself.
  3. You shouldn't feel guilty about ghosting. It's important to trust your instincts and know when it's better to quietly back away from a relationship.

The power of having the same teacher again

Granted • 3234 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🚌 Education Reforms Research Policy Implementation Relationships
  1. Looping, which involves keeping students with the same teacher for multiple years, has shown to have benefits like increased test scores, attendance, and decreased disciplinary incidents.
  2. Small effect sizes in looping studies may have practical significance when aggregated across many students; looping could have stronger effects on attitudes and behaviors than standardized test scores.
  3. When considering looping in education, it's important to address concerns such as potential teacher burnout, unintended consequences, and the misattribution of successful educational practices in other countries to looping.

do we ever get over things?

bookbear express • 1574 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Vulnerability Identity Emotions Personal Growth
  1. It's normal to feel sadness when friendships end or drift apart. We often care deeply about our friends' lives, which makes the loss feel even more intense.
  2. Acceptance is key when dealing with the lasting impact of love for others. Even if we move on, the love we had for someone remains a part of us.
  3. Vulnerability can actually make us stronger. By allowing ourselves to feel deeply and openly, we can create more meaningful connections with others.

if he wanted to, would he really?

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 1867 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Dating Gender Feminism Relationships Social media
  1. Men's behavior in relationships is not always as simple as 'If he wanted to, he would.'
  2. Slogans like 'If he wanted to, he would' may have underlying anti-feminist implications and oversimplify modern dating dynamics.
  3. In today's dating scene, understanding and compassion for both genders can help avoid misunderstandings and improve relationships.

some things I learned about love this year

bookbear express • 941 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Relationships Friendship Personal Growth Media
  1. It's okay to have imperfect friendships. Just keep in touch and stay in each other's lives, even if it's not perfect.
  2. Conflict in relationships isn't as scary as it seems. Listening to each other can strengthen your bonds.
  3. Love and life can be uncertain and scary, but that's normal. Embrace change and find people who want to explore with you.

"Do These People F*ck?"

Many Such Cases • 2877 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social Events Intimacy Relationships Cultural Commentary
  1. There's a lot of talk about a 'sex recession' where people are feeling less connected sexually. It's hard to measure, but we can sense it in our social lives and gatherings.
  2. People can have sex but still feel a disconnect in their sexual culture. Personal stories show that intimacy and sexual attraction can clash, leading to confusion about what they really want.
  3. Attending events like parties can reflect our sexual energy and culture. Conversations about these topics can help us navigate our sexual lives better.

The Strange Grief of Losing a Dog

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 876 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Grief Family Pets Memory
  1. Losing a pet, especially a dog, can lead to deep feelings of grief and loneliness. Coming home to the absence of a beloved dog can be especially hard.
  2. Grief can feel different depending on who we lose. Each relationship shapes our feelings of loss in unique ways, whether it’s a child, friend, parent, or pet.
  3. Holidays often bring back memories of lost loved ones, including pets. These times can stir up both sweet memories and painful feelings of absence.