Sometimes, life just happens to us. You hop in your car, maybe put the GPS on, and before you know it, you’re pulling into your parking spot without remembering a single turn you took.

Ever feel that way at work? Or when you’re catching up with friends or family? Like you’ve arrived somewhere, but you’re not sure you were really the one driving?

You may have heard the advice: “You have to be a whole person before you can be in a relationship.” It’s usually delivered with the confidence of a universal truth (like the kind of advice that sounds deep, but rarely gets examined).

Have you ever dated someone who said and did all the right things, but it felt like there was a wall up?

Maybe they were attentive over text and made plans regularly, but deeper conversations never really happened.

Emotional awareness helps us name what we feel.

Emotional maturity helps us express it.

Emotional labor reminds us connection is co-created — not carried by one person alone.

But even with all that, relationships can still feel off: have you ever felt close to someone, but emotionally “out of sync”?

Emotional maturity is often misunderstood.

It doesn’t mean being calm all the time or never getting upset. It’s not about being above conflict, perfectly regulated, or always knowing the right thing to say.

While dating can be exciting and full of possibility, I’ve also felt like it was an endless, hopeless job search — thrilling at times, but exhausting if you're not careful.

Online dating can feel like navigating uncharted waters — exciting, but full of unknowns. Learn practical tips to protect yourself, screen matches, and date with confidence.

As 2024 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what this year has taught me, not just about dating and relationships, but about myself and the journey of building The Date Lab. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be: Experimentation.