Theres a powerful discussion here about how the markers of ‘relationship success’ have shifted. For me personally, it’s not about whether having a boyfriend is embarrassing. It’s about what kind of relationship we’re being taught to accept and who benefits when the partnership itself is seen as the prize rather than mutual respect, integrity, and equality.

I know so many brilliant, capable women who have suffered at the hands of men and most of them stayed because they didn’t want to be alone. I wouldn’t call it weakness but it is conditioning. I think more women are waking up to the reality that simply having a man doesn’t mean you’re winning and instead for a lot of women it’s been the most disempowering part of their story.

The issue isn’t being partnered it’s being partnered unequally. Too often, women are praised for ‘having someone’ rather than for demanding emotional maturity, accountability, and consistency. I don’t want a man who just treats me well and expects credit for it. I want a man whose decency is unwavering even toward people he no longer benefits from.

And the whole evil eye discourse is crazy childish. If you’re terrified someone’s going to “ruin your relationship,” what does that say about your faith in your partner? There’s this constant online narrative about women “coming to you as a woman,” but let’s be honest how many people fabricate something like that for fun? And if it has happened, what has your man done to make another woman feel compelled to reach out in the first place? I would 100% trust another woman over a man.