When They Say They Are Not Ready

Not ready can mean many things.

It can mean recently hurt, emotionally unavailable, overwhelmed, uninterested in commitment, or simply not ready with you.

The exact translation matters less than people think.

What matters is that a limitation has been stated.

Romantic optimism sometimes hears this as an invitation to demonstrate exceptional patience. You imagine that if you are understanding enough, attractive enough, undemanding enough, they will eventually discover that readiness has been standing in front of them all along.

Perhaps they will. But waiting is still a choice you are making with your own time.

Take people seriously when they tell you what they cannot offer. You do not need to punish them or diagnose them.

You only need to decide whether what is available is enough for you now.

Potential is a lovely place to visit. Be cautious about moving there.