It’s almost funny when somebody thinks you’re secretly entertaining other people when your entire emotional world is basically centered around them. 😭 Like, you think I’m flirting with somebody else? I have been staring at the same TikTok for twelve minutes because you responded with “okay” instead of “okayyy.” When you’re busy, I’m not out searching for somebody to replace your attention. I’m finding something to watch, taking a nap, hanging out with my friends, or waiting until you’re free again. When another guy tries to flirt with me, my first thought isn’t excitement—it’s how quickly I can make it obvious that I’m taken without creating an awkward situation. And my friends are probably tired of hearing your name because somehow every conversation eventually becomes, “Oh, that reminds me of something he said.” 😭 That’s what being genuinely attached to somebody can feel like. Your attention isn’t constantly wandering around looking for the next option because you’re already emotionally invested in the person you chose. But there’s also an important difference between devotion and losing yourself completely inside a relationship. Loving somebody deeply doesn’t mean you need to avoid every man on earth, panic whenever your partner is upset, or spend every second waiting for them to become available. You should still have friends, interests, goals, routines, and an identity that belongs entirely to you. And your partner should be able to trust your loyalty without requiring you to prove it by making your world smaller. That’s the sweet spot: I have an entire life of my own, and within that life, I keep choosing you. I don’t need to be watched to behave appropriately. I don’t need to be separated from every possible alternative to remain faithful. And I shouldn’t have to constantly convince you that nobody else has my attention when my behavior has consistently demonstrated exactly where my heart is. Because when somebody is truly all about you, you can usually feel it. They’re not making you compete with a lineup of possibilities. They’re probably somewhere watching TikTok, waiting for you to text back, and wondering how you haven’t realized yet that you’re basically their favorite person on the planet. — @deeploneliness_ TikTok