Comparing how I feel about new dates to my "ex"
The title is strange, but I couldn't figure out how to say it.
I'm not well-versed when it comes to relationships. I've never been in anything serious even though I'm in my 30s. I never did the casual thing either, so I'm essentially a newbie to all of this even though I've been out in the community for almost 12 years. I'm the type of person that needs a deep connection with someone before I can sleep with them (akin to being demisexual but I can feel attraction without a connection), so I also have no experience with sex. Just for a quick background on me.
I was dating someone (we'll call her Camille, fake name) back in November/December and it ended after 5 weeks. I fell hard for her and had a great time. We talked about what a future together would look like, what our goals were, hell even what we'd name our kids. I know, a little much. During that time, we went on 7 dates and texted daily until she suddenly stopped replying. It hurt and even though we weren't officially in a relationship, it felt like a real break up. That's why I put ex in quotes in the title.
I took some time to process what happened and got back into the dating scene. I matched with Mary (fake name) two weeks ago and we started talking. We went on two dates and I enjoyed getting to know her. We have since decided to stop seeing each other because there just wasn't a spark. During the time I was with Mary, I couldn't help but compare how I was feeling with her to how I felt with Camille. For example, with Camille, kissing her was easy and I wanted to constantly jump her bones. With Mary, I was physically attracted to her, wanted to make out with her, etc, but when it would come time for affection to happen, we were both so awkward about it. We'd dance around the subject for 5-10 minutes before one of us would just give a quick peck. I just kept thinking "it was never this way with Camille." And I'm not comparing them as individuals because they're both wonderful and unique, just my own feelings while dating them.
Before you say anything, I am over Camille. She ghosted me and I don't deserve to be with someone who does that. After 5 weeks, I at least deserved a phone call to end things 😂 It took a while for me to come to terms with that, but I have.
My question is this: am I constantly going to be comparing how I feel with every new person I date to how I felt with Camille? Was it only happening because I wasn't feeling that same spark of connection with Mary? Has anyone else done this? I have therapy today so I'll talk to her about it then, just curious in the meantime!
Posted Jan 31, 2026, 1:35 PM UTC