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Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to another episode of the Sabrina Zohar Show. My name is Sabrina Zohar, and I am your host. Welcome back, babes. We're in the trenches today and we are going to be talking about all things about going slow, early stages of dating. This is the pain points you guys are having. We got a profile we're going to audit if we have time. And I really want to meet you guys where you're at. So don't forget to email in the trenchesabrinazohar.com if you want to send in screenshots, your questions, whatever you guys need. That's why we have the bonus episode to help you guys. So without further ado, let's get right the fuck on into it, shall we? Hey, babes, you might notice something a little different about the studio today if you're watching. The pink chairs have officially been retired, and it's bittersweet. My babes, if you've been with me since the beginning, you know that those chairs have met. They're in the house. They're not gone. But I am ready. I'm ready to shed. I am ready for new. I'm ready for the next year. I'm ready to let it go. I realized how much I was holding onto and this narrative that I was creating about things and I'm going to do for next week's episode, I'm going to explain a little bit more on the December 19 episode about my journey. But I'm really excited for what's to come. And I am so beyond grateful that you guys are here with me. I don't think thank you says enough of how lovely and incredible this community is and how grateful I am that you're part of it. And so if you're new, welcome. And if you've been here, welcome back. We got some questions you guys wrote in about going slow and navigating those early stages of dating, which can be really tough. And I'm going to help in the best ways I can. But like I said, I can only do this if you guys send them in. So please don't forget. And don't forget, forget. As always, rate and review the show, share it with a friend. Please even just leave a heart or a comment on any episode you listen to. That's the only way I grow. And I'm so grateful, guys. If you need ad free that's available in the Lincoln Show Notes or if you want to join the Healthy Dating and relationship foundation course, that's available right now. Where we give you the tools, the step by step things that you need in order to go slow and get into a relationship faster and build a healthy foundation for you and anything moving forward. So check that out in the link in show notes or@sabrina zohar.com. okay, so let's get to it. And guys, as always, you can work one on one or ask a question like those things are there. But I really wanted to focus on the Healthy relationship Foundation course because it's so special and it really gives you the tools that you guys need instead of just trying to figure it out along the way. All right, let's see. Hey, Sabrina. Hi, babes. And mind you, let me preface. First time I'm reading these, I have no idea. Ryan gave me a quick understanding of like, here are the overarching themes. You're getting 100% real right now. First of all, thank you, truly. You've become the girlfriend in my pocket who calls me out with love, reminds me to breathe, and keeps my anxious brain from hosting its own horror movie at 2am I couldn't be prouder than you. So I need to talk to you. I need you to talk some me straight on something. Let's go, baby. All right. I'm a gay man in my mid-30s who's used to sprint. He's used to sprint into relationships. I go straining for the Olympics. Fast, intense fireworks. Then immediately burnt to a crisp and jaded afterwards. I've been doing the work, therapy, accountability, catching my spirals before they become novels. All of it. And I'm proud of how far I've come. So am I. Okay, now here's the situation. I've been seeing this guy for the past four months, and for the first time in my life, it's been slow. Healthy slow, intentional slow. We text every day. Okay, I'm looking at you about that. That's slow. Texting every day. But I love you. Okay, hang on. Multiple times a week. And both admitted that in the past relationships, we never built a real foundation. We respectively paid for it. Okay, fine. I'm here. So now we're actually doing it. Friendship, trust, presence, authenticity. It feels safe, it feels different. And honestly, it feels good. But here's where my healing meets my humanness. Girl, did I friend zone myself with the only physical affection he's has been. Hugs, goodbye, and this one cute moment of lingering finger holding ages ago while drunk this is a huge. Since most of my relationships in the past have always started with sex. Same. And while the healed version of me is like, yes, babe, look at us doing something. How they the old panic goblin in my brain occasionally pops up. Hi, just checking. Are we dating or are we his emotional support gay friend now let that goblin know to fuck off. No, the panic goblin. He's right. But he's not right about this. It reminds me of big mouth. If you guys have watched it all the characters, I love it. So, Sabrina, girl, I need your no BS perspective, okay? I don't want to rush him. I don't want to rush me. I don't want to sabotage something that actually has potential because of old wounds. But I genuinely don't know how to tell the difference between a secure, slow building connection and me silently hoping he'll make a move while he's silently categorizing me as buddy in the buddy folder. How do I know if I'm building something healthy to secure pace or if I've unintentionally tucked myself neatly into the friend zone because I was too scared to speak up? Give it to me straight. I can take it. Thank you for being the voice I didn't know I need. Much appreciated. Dylan from Hawaii. Oh, Dylan, I'm proud of you. I'm proud of every single person because look at the awareness. I know for me, I didn't ever have these awarenesses when I was before I was doing the work. So you have a lot to be proud of for yourself. First of all. All right, let's talk. I think you said it. You said everything that I needed to see. Did I friend zone myself because I was too afraid to speak up. And so now we have to look and say, are we going slow? Does this feel safe? And I. I play devil's advocate. Does this feel safe or are we going to a fawn response? And what I mean by that isn't that the other person has done anything. Please. No, this person sounds lovely. But what I mean by that is if it's really safe, then part of safety is feeling safe to express yourself to that partner. When Chris Lee, you guys have his episode coming out soon or already happened, I can't remember because my brain is a pea brain, but I think it's coming out next in like a couple of days. And we were talking about part of safety is feeling like you can actually have these conversations with your partner. Your partner that you're with creates the safe space that the safety is because you are just amazing. And everything's great. No matter what this other person says, I feel good. It's knowing, like when Ryan and I, I don't know if you guys watched the. And the interview that we had, which I am so obsessed with it, it was so beautiful. And really the reason we both feel so safe is because we have the tough conversations and the other person doesn't judge us, doesn't shut down, doesn't belittle us. Even when Ryan would go into his avoidance stuff that didn't mean that he was completely offline and when he was, I would say something. Part of a healthy and secure relationship is that you're having the tough conversations even when scared of the answer. Here's something I wish I learned along the way about a healthy and secure relationship. You don't feel healthy and secure just because, voila, this person is so amazing and everything is perfect. If you're scared of pushing somebody away because I'm going to be too much, they're going to leave. Then baby, you didn't have them to begin with. Because if you simply having a need, if you getting curious, if you saying something sends them running, then good, let me open the door so that you don't waste any more of my time on your way out. So we have to be aware and cognizant of what's coming up for you. What has stopped you from being like, hey, I'm confused. Are we friends or are we more than that? I had that I was seeing like I had met this guy at like a beach party and he was super cute. And I remember like we exchanged. We talked like, you know, for like two or three hours there. And then the, a bunch of the people were like, hey, we were all going to go get dinner. And I was like, I have to go walk Clem. And he was like, well, I would love for you to join after. I'd love to continue our conversation. I was like, okay, cool. I went home, walked Clem and then I text the group and I was like, hey, are we all out? And the guy was, he texted me back being like, yeah, come. So and so I get there, there's a seat next to him waiting for me. And then I kind of quickly real like he was super enthralled in the business owner side of me, but he wasn't really like getting to know me in any other ways besides being so impressed with what I've done with software. Where Software dot com. Shameless Plug. But then I started to realize after like we'd hung out like three times And I'll never forget, he was sick with the flu. And I said, I'm going to go get you soup. And he said, no, no, please let me pay you back. You don't need to do it. And I remember being like, hey, I got to ask. Are we friends or is this romantic? I was like, I don't really know how to read it. We've hung out a bunch of times and I'm trying to understand what we are. And he said, getting more of a friend vibe. And I went, okay, yeah, you can go pick up your own soup. I'll talk to you later. I was like, cuz. And like, we joked about it. And like, at that point he was like, thank you. It's okay to ask now. In the time, yeah, I was a little nervous. I was like, oh, but the fantasy wasn't protecting me from anything. Now it's very clear this person likes you. They wouldn't be spending time with you. And maybe he's thinking the same thing. Maybe he's thinking, oh, he might not want to go be intimate. Or, you know, like, it's okay to ask, hey, can I kiss you? I'd really love to. Or, hey, I'm really struggling to read, like, get a read on us. Are you interested in this romantically? Are you getting more of a friend vibe? Because I really like you, but I want to go at a pace that feels comfortable for us both, including the intimacy and the physicality of it. That's the point of having the conversations being regulated enough to be able to go to this person. And then whatever they say, you handle it right. Because, like, at this point, your brain is trying to fill in the gaps of, like, okay, well, they're showing up, which means they, like, we're creating the narratives and the stories, but that doesn't necessarily mean that that's what's happening. I. Based on what you're telling me, this person very clearly likes you as a human. In what capacity? I'm not going to try to read their mind to figure it out. But what I will say is, the beautiful thing about communication in a relationship or in the dating field is that you'll get what you want, which is them or what you need, which is clarity. And that truly is a win win. So if you're scared to speak up, we have to look and say, what am I scared of hearing? And then how can I be there for myself to support myself through it? And I'm really proud of you. I'm proud of you for stopping and assessing. I'm Proud of you for saying, hey, I need to get curious within myself. I'm really proud of you. And we have to remember it's progress, not perfection. I am not expecting anybody to be healed and perfect and never feel anything. And that's what's going to be in two weeks. The episode is, do you need to be fully healed to date doesn't exist. Whoever's telling you that, lying to you, they are full of no one is fully healed. But you are now saying, here are the tools that I have, here's how I'm going to tap into them, and here's what I'm going to use to regulate and come back to a place of choice. That is the point. This episode is sponsored by one Skin, y'. All. It's that time of year and if you're like me, your skin might need a little extra care. We got the colder weather the rest of the holidays. So it is easy for your skin to feel dry, dull or stressed. And that's why I don't go a day without one skin. I love their under eye cream. I use it on my neck. I use it kind of like in all my problem areas. And it's so incredible because it delivers the powerful skin care and longevity benefits that I cannot live without. So at the core is their patented OS1 peptide. It is the first ingredient proven to target senescent cells, the root cause of wrinkles, creppiness, and loss of elasticity, all of the key signs of skin aging. And these results have now been validated in five different clinical studies. Which is why again, baby, I'm not trying to anti age. I'm proud of growing older and having wisdom. But your girl wants to look the best she can. So for a limited time, try one skin for 15% off using code Sabrina at Oneskin Co. Sabrina, after you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you guys. You're gonna love it. All right, next question, babes. Hey, Sabrina. I'm a big fan of the show so I'm even more excited to have a story for your input and in the trenches. Me too, babes. Okay, a little background. I moved to a smallish town about two years ago and when I did, I decided to take dating seriously. I did the inner work, felt like I was being my most authentic self and truly felt ready. I dove headfirst into the dating scene and wow, it's brutal over out there. Nothing serious ever came out of the many first, second, or third or even Fourth dates I went on. Fast forward to this past spring. I went on two dates with a guy I actually felt real chemistry and shared values with. He's a big texter. I'm not. Aha. Can we just hold a finger for this? It's not all women that are big texters. Sometimes men are and women aren't. It's not gendered. We gotta stop with that. There are plenty of people that just don't connect via text. Okay, sorry, that's my soapbox. Okay, I have a busy life and prefer saving deeper conversations for in person. After what felt like ages of texting, I finally told something. Something along the lines of, hey, I would love to go on another date, but I'm not much of a texter. Let me know when you're free and we can talk more than. And we can talk more then. Then crickets. Never heard from him again. I was upset, but since it had only been two dates, I shrugged it off and moved on. I'm proud of you, baby. All right, this summer hits and we match again on the apps. I gave him a hard time about ghosting me and we started talking again with the caveat that we'd just be friends. Oh, babe.
All right, let's keep it going but don't love it. This is a self abandonment piece of like what? Let me ask you what do you want to be friends with somebody that you set a boundary saying, hey, I'd like to hang out again and they ghost you Like, I don't haven't even read the rest of this, but I gotta be honest, what are you hoping is gonna happen? Somebody can text you every single day and have zero intentions of a relationship. And this is the prime example. You guys text every single day and the minute you say, hey, I'd love to spend time with you, they ghost. And if this person has decided to exit stage left, why the are we allowing them back in our life? We cannot be surprised after when it doesn't work out. They showed you their true col. Now we need you to believe them. All right, let's get back to it. Sorry I went on my soapbox. I love you guys. Thanks for letting me. I liked his energy and he's fun to be around. So I figured being friends won't hurt. Well, now we've hung out on somewhat irregularly and texting weekly like mature adults. We had an honest in person talk and about feelings in the classic what are we? Conversation, we landed on just being really flirty, sexually tense friends. Okay, we're both very attracted to each other. So being fully platonic isn't realistic for us. We flirt constantly. We're middle school level, affectionate, cuddling, holding hands, but we're not having sex. Sex. This is a hard boundary I've made and he is respectful about it. Cool. We also acknowledge that we both have avoidant attachment styles, so talking about feelings isn't our strong suit. And when things do feel serious would tend to fold back. Baby, I gotta ask, what are you hoping is gonna happen here? What are you hoping it like? This is where I have to say I'm proud of you for being aware. But now what are we gonna do with the awareness? Like, you guys are both. There's the elephant in the room and you're just pussy footing around it, being like, it's okay if we just don't hit the elephant, maybe it won't hurt us. Right? But that's okay. I haven't gotten to the rest. That lasted a few weeks and now I fear, am I being manipulated into a relationship? Here's my evidence. I'm very ambitious. And when I asked him about his goals for next year, he said getting married and started a family. I asked if he's currently dating, he said no. Okay, but that's not him manipulating you. He's telling you what he wants. I can say next year I want to be a millionaire. Okay, well what are you going to do for that? I don't know, but I want to, right? Like, okay, he will not let me pay for anything when we're together. Okay. He is always the first to reach out. He remembers details about my life and asks follow up questions. He always initiates the hangouts. He often asks me when I'm looking for an apartment, My deal breakers, my family planning thoughts, etc, basically he's trying to figure out what I want. Recently we were talking about having sex with friends and he said he's never slept with a platonic female friend. I called and point blank asked, if I asked you to have sex, would you really say no? And he said, and I quote, we'd have a discussion about what changed then. I'll spare you vulgar details, but for the sake of the podcast, he was very much implying yes, we'd have sex. I was so stunned that I didn't even ask follow up questions. Honestly, I'm not sure what we're doing here. I don't know what he like. I don't think he likes me romantically. He says he has other close female friends, but our dynamic feels different. I did boldly ask why he Ghosted me before he admitted that he was dating some someone else at the time. That girl slept with him and he was really busy with work. Whereas with me we had an emotional connection that required more time to build and he didn't have the bandwidth. Then the other girl was just easier to access physically. Thank you for the honesty. Welcome to avoidance. Aren't bad people. He didn't have the capacity for the emotionality. What do you think is going to change? And I'm not saying you, anybody. We're still very flirtatious and affectionate, so part of me feels like he just wants the attention. I'm trying to trust that if he did have feelings, he'd tell me. We do emotional check ins about once a month, but I fear he's not being fully honest at this point. I don't have romantic feelings for him because I can't get past the ghosting. But I'm afraid if we keep doing this, my feelings will develop and I'll. I'll end up heartbroken. I'm anxious and really need to an objective opinion on this. What is going on here? Thank you for your thoughts. You're the best, Sophia. All right, here's the thing. I haven't the slightest why he's doing this, but I do say, why are you allowing it? Because you're also playing into this dynamic. You're asking questions and then you're allowing it. You're still hanging out with him, you're still cuddling, you're still holding hands, you're still texting him. He likes the attention. This is a great example of like somebody can enjoy the dynamic and do absolutely nothing to try to change it. And I think what's happening is your brain is trying to fill in the gaps by the evidence you gave me to me. I just hear that it's like he sounds like he does like you as a pure, as a person. Him saying I want to get married, cool. That's just him telling you what he wants. He won't let you pay for anything when you're together. All right? I mean that might be an old school way of doing things. And even me, I'd be like, hey, if we're friends, I'm going to be paying for this. He always is the first to reach out. Okay, that's actually interesting, especially for someone to more avoidant. But I will say this. You know what, I'm getting the theme here. There's no vulnerability, there's no real depth. And I'm not saying you don't have it, but the relationship you guys have built. That's why he keeps coming back, because he's not getting dysregulated. He doesn't have to commit to you. He doesn't owe you anything, but he gets to have the access to you when it feels good. The minute he's triggered, that's it. He's out. And that's, again, that's the avoidant. That's a person that, like. At this point, my question is, why do you keep allowing it? What are you doing about it? Are you telling him, hey, we need boundaries here if we're just friends, no, you don't need to pay for me. No, I. We're not to be romantic anymore. We're just going to be platonic. And then I would say, are you being honest with yourself? You're saying, I'm scared I'm going to fall for him and get heartbroken. But based on what? The fact that you can't have him. You don't know what's coming up. You. And I'm. I'm being honest based on what? You have a good time. But where's the depth? Where's the heart? Where's the soul? Where's the vulnerability and the transparency? That's what we're building. Not just, does he want me or not? Does he want me or not? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. So I'll keep going. Keep going, because you're getting dopamine hits every time you show up. Maybe today something's going to change, and then it doesn't, and then you're back in the. The. The cognitive dissonance of, like I say, I want this, but this is what I have. I don't think anyone's right or wrong here. Let me just preface that. But what I am saying is that I don't think this is benefiting or serving you being in this land. You have to decide what you want. Not all about him. So if he's saying, listen, he said to you before, there was a girl that was easier physically. And that's what he doesn't want, the depth. That's why the minute you said something, I don't think it has to do with just the ghosting and hear me out. Yeah, that's. But I also think that your nervous system is up on. But what am I going to build with this person? This person doesn't have that emotional depth. Because the second you added that emotional depth, he bopped out. And now he's telling you, yeah, I want all of these things. But it's like, okay, my question to somebody, if they said I want all of those things, I go, okay, what are you doing to get them? What are you doing to get this girlfriend? What are you doing to get this partner? What are you doing to have this person in your life? What are you doing about it? I've worked with thousands of people in my day as a dating coach and the one thing I hear is that people don't actually know what they want. And that's why if he wanted to, he would is advice. Somebody could say I want a relationship, I want marriage, I want kids. But they don't have the bandwidth. If they don't have the emotional depth, they can want it all day. That doesn't mean they're going to be able to achieve it. And that's where we have to stop and say it doesn't matter what they say they want. I need to look at what they are actually doing to get it and see if that works for me. This episode is sponsored by Herobred this season. Babies, what are you bringing to the holiday feast? Well, we have a potluck this week and I am taking Herobread rolls and making garlic bread and I'm so excited because you would never know it's 0 to 5 grams net carbs and high fiber. From the texture you get the soft fluffy experience you know and love. Whether you're packing fresh wraps or for everyday lunches or toasting up a 19 gram protein breakfast bagel, you know have no compromises, just flavors. And my favorite part is their small batch drops of indulgent favorites like the popular 2 gram net carb Hero croissant and 5 gram net carb Hero noodles. Baby, they are perfect for gifting those health conscious loved ones who still love good food. Herobred is offering 10 off your order. Go to Hero Co and use code Sabrina at checkout. Again, that's Sabrina at H e r o co. Again, that's the code Sabrina. Hero Co. This episode is Sponsored by I am 8. Baby. I got an update. I said I'd give. I made a shot and now I'm not letting it go. I'm gonna be honest with you guys. I started the daily ultimate essentials to help with my energy and just my hydration. Your skin is really dry but now, God, I'm obsessed. It tastes so good. Like I am not normally. I love water. So when I get to have something that I can just add water to and it tastes this delicious, my favorite part is IMH's daily Ultimate Essentials is my go to because you get the benefits of 16 different supplements and one very delicious drink. The drink is loaded with 92 nutrient rich ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, CoQ10 MSM and Pre, Pro and postbiotics. It's designed to help you feel good from the inside out. Baby. Give your body what it deserves. With iM8 go to im8health.com Sabrina and use code Sabrina for a free welcome kit five free travel sachets plus 10% off your order. That's I am the number 8H E-A L T H.com Sabrina code Sabrina for a free welcome Kit five free travel satchets plus 10% off your order. Again babies I am 8help health.com Sabrina code Sabrina these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. I don't know why he's doing this because it sounds to me you both are confused. I would ask you, why are you doing this? Do you actually want a relationship with him? Maybe you were both scared of that. Maybe you both actually do want a relationship with the other person. But there's a trust and a safety component. Then talk about it. I would ask yourself, you said you were both avoidant. Then I would start and thank you for being honest. Avoidant people are also anxious. She's having a lot of anxiety about this, but she just goes inwards whereas the anxious person goes outwards. No one is right. Right or wrong, it's two human experiences. So now I would say, what are we going to do about it? Are you going to have a conversation with him? Are you going to get curious? Are you going to challenge this? Are you going to demand for what you want? Hey, I actually do have feelings for you. I like you and I want to be able to move on from the ghosting thing. But I don't know if I can trust you. And now that we've been hanging out, this is why I don't trust you. I don't know what you want. I. I don't know what I want. Like that's what I'm saying is I think, because imagine if he wrote into me. I think I would say, ooh, she's scared to open up to you. You. But I don't really care if she's scared or not. What is she doing about those fears? And I say that with love. You know, I am here to support you guys, but I don't want you to waste more of Your time. And I would say have a conversation with him in person, eye to eye. If he shuts down and can't handle it, then you know, at this point, hey, is a friendship realistic? Because what type of friendship are you going to have with someone where you're constantly wondering if you're going to be intimate and romantic? And then I ask you this honestly, are you going to be cool with him being friends if he starts telling you about the women he's. Are you going to be okay with that or are you going to start to compare yourself and judge yourself? It's okay. I get this question every single day. Is it okay to be friends with your ex? Of course it's okay to be friends with your ex if that's what you want. But if you're asking me if you should, I don't get the point. You weren't friends. You were romantic, you weren't friends. Now if you started off as friends, tried the romantic thing and realized, yikes, that didn't work for us, great, both people agreeing on that. But unless you have property, children or something other than that, then you need to be really honest about the friendship. Are you friends with this person because you're hoping more is going to happen? Or, or can you both actually be friends with each other authentically? Saying, I care about this person and I love this person as a person, but not romantically. And then just remember, you get into a relationship with someone, doesn't mean they're going to be cool with that. Big non negotiable for me is you got to be done with your ex. Because I am tired of hearing all this. If my ex contacted me, my ex is my ex, that it's like, no, move the on so that if I welcome you in my life, you have the capacity and the bandwidth to give me what I deserve and what you deserve. It's really important. Be honest about your capacity and what it is that you want and be honest as to why you want it from this person. Is it genuinely because of the connection or is it because you're unsure about the connection? You know what's going on, that's okay. Whatever it is, I meet you there. But I think this is about having a tough conversation with the person. And if they still don't give you clarity, you have your answer, then I would say, what do you, what do you want? What are you doing? It's not just about the other people. You also matter. I hope you know that. All right, babies, let's go. So, hi, Sabrina. I wanted to Quickly start off by saying I have religiously been listening to you on YouTube since discovering you 7ish months ago. Yay. Don't forget babes, if you're watching on YouTube, subscribe for more. But I do shorts. I do 10 minute shorts every week on YouTube about different topics like we got you babes. Go watch. Okay. This comes all the way from Perth, Western Australia. I stumbled across you as I reentered the dating scene 7 months ago after an almost 3 year conscious break when dating someone I dated 3 years prior who left me really questioning how he actually felt about about me. Turns out you're right. We dated for three months. When he told me it's not you, it's me, I don't think I can give you what you want. Of course I lingered on what I felt was him being scared, but as I know it was in fact him and not me. Proud of you baby. I then decided I would in fact give online dating another crack after vowing I would never gouge my own eyes out with a spoon. Then I met niall, an expat 42 year old Irishman. Been here in Oz for 12 years with no kids from the get go. The man has never made me question how he feels and has kept communication open and real reassuring me. He works fifo. Fly in, fly out. Two weeks on, one week off. I told him from the get that I'm not a big texter. He's always initiated one or two calls a week while away at work. Can I just say how proud I am of you guys? I love this not a big texter thing. That's right baby. And I hope everyone listening can see the other side of the coin. Just because you're not a big texter doesn't mean that you're not interested in this person. Like it's just not a correlation anymore and we got to move on from it. So I'm proud of you guys. In the four months of us dating, he did go back to Ireland for a planned trip. Bless him. He kept the consistent communication. I've never had to question his intentions. The thing is, he came back homesick. I 100% respect affect this. He mentioned recently after a month back in Australia that he needed to tell me that to and be honest that after seeing his parents and how much they've aged. Oh God, I get that. And he wants to return in two years when his current contract is up. He really likes me and doesn't want me to think I'm not good enough and that decision is to see each Other is up to me but after a week together on those week home asked me to be his girl. Is it a mistake to continue knowing how wonderful he has to been to me but hoping the homesickness will subside? I would of course be open if I'm in love in a committed relationship to move but I have a 12 year old son that I am the sole parent of but he starts high school next year and certainly wouldn't want to uproot that that him in his very important years. I feel like if I didn't continue I could miss something that for the first time in my life feels like mature, healthy, respectful relationship. But am I really hoping he would stay because we've built a loving relationship with I am I desperate for some logical advice? Give it to me. Feel free to share all my love Taryn. Oh baby, thank you for sharing that And I love the vulnerability. I'll be honest, none of us know what the is going to happen or where we're going to go. I told Ryan when I moved to California 4 years ago I was like I'm never leaving New York, every other state and now me and Ryan, when I, when we first met he said I'll never move to la. Here we are now la. He said I'll never move out of California. We're probably going to move out of California in a couple years. I'm not paying taxes for the state anymore. I'm done with it. Right. Like there are realities of being a business owner. I would say this, I think you would be doing yourself a disservice to cut it off when he's saying in two years I want to move back home. Now I think what's important here is consistently communicating about it because here's the thing, you guys might, you might have a beautiful relationship and really grow and he might say wow, I really love this. I really love our life that we built. I actually don't want to leave it. Maybe his parents move that there or maybe in a couple years he says, babe, I, I, I told you I want to leave. Then that's you being honest with yourself of like okay, and maybe talking to your kid because if you have a 12 year old that means in a couple of years they'll be 14. I know it's not ideal but like you could still move for high school. Like they could still start over for high school, especially old enough at that age. Or they could say I don't want to do that. But I think it's also being realistic about like we don't know what's going to happen. It would be one thing if he told you in six months he's moving. Then I'd be like, oh, okay, well, that's coming right around the corner. So here we are. But he's saying two years, you guys could date and maybe not be together for two years. You guys could date and get married in two years and make a decision as a family. We don't know. And so I think it's a really beautiful question. And I think that's so real for us to be really cognizant and aware of where we want to go. But I also think, like, Ryan and I had that conversation maybe a few months ago, maybe in the end of the year. You know, the months blend into one. And I told him, I said, I want to. I want to move out of California. And he gave me this. I'm refused. I refuse. I said, okay, well then maybe we should have the conversation about the future that we want to have if we're going to be together. And that's when he was like, okay, you're right, that's fair. And then now, like, la. At first I wanted to move. He was adamant against it. And then he was the one convincing me. He was like, we need to go. We can't be in San Diego anymore. You're get. You're miserable. You don't fucking like this place. Your career is getting kind of halted. He convinced me to move, and I had wanted to do that the whole time. So I completely understand. But we gotta leave space for life to happen. We have to leave space for the unknown to take its place. Place. And again, I would say if it were two months, different story, but two years, baby. This episode is sponsored by Fabletics. I love Fabletics. I love it because one, the quality is at another level. Like, you think you're buying something that's worth 200, but you got it for 80 off. And it's a quality that you cannot match. But my favorite part is they have something for everyone. Like, tech guy just got a suit on Fabletics and he looks amazing. We have a matching pair of leggings. I love it. We even got like a French Terry set to match. We're cheesy, but we're so cute. And I love Fabletics because they give you what you need when you need it. Whether you're going from the office to a date or you're going on a hike date, or maybe you're just going out with some girlfriends or boyfriends, they got your back. Fabletics already has amazing deals, but right now they're running their biggest sale of the year on top of that. And I have got an exclusive offer just for you. 80% off everything. When you sign up as a VIP, head to Fabletics.com Sabrina and sign up as a VIP to get 80% off everything. This is only available through my link, babes. So go to Fabletics.com Sabrina to sign up as a VIP and get 80% off everything. Again, that's Fabletics.com Sabrina two years ago, if you asked me where I'd be, I don't think I would have told you where I'm at right now. Two years ago, I thought I was going to be the next Call Her Daddy. I thought my podcast was going to get a million plays an episode. I thought I was going to be making millions of dollars and living in this mansion didn't happen. Nine months after that, I got a cease and desist and my world crumbled and I had to change the name and then I had to deal with the repercussions of that. And now here I am going. I have to rebuild. That doesn't mean that anything's wrong or right with that, but I'm just saying that had I planned two years ago for this entire life, it wouldn't have been here, wouldn't have happened. And so that's okay. What the point is is that, like, if you guys have a really beautiful connection, then you'll be honest about it. And if he's saying the whole time I'm moving, then you can be honest with him about, like, and maybe sharing with him. I don't know if I want to move. How would you feel if we got there and I said no because, you know, I have a k. Kid talk about it. I don't think he seems like an unreasonable person. It sounds like you guys really care about each other. And here's the one thing. There's a fallacy in dating that this person that you meet has to be in your life forever. But maybe we can reframe and say for now. For now, I like this person. That doesn't mean it has to be forever. We're so beholden and contingent. I'll like it has to be if I need to know, 100% certainty. Are you going to be my partner? Are you going to want me? Are you going to be before we even have the first or second date. But we have to be able to live in the uncertainty and say, for now this feels really good. That doesn't mean it has to be forever. But for now, I'm enjoying it. And when we can reframe and shift that, we release control to the outcome and we surrender. That way we detach. That's a real detachment, not the bullshit and the fake that you see online. But you're saying I can only control myself and I can live in the present moment. I can't be back here in the past or in the future, but I can be here right now and make choices that serve my highest good and communicate. That's all you have control over. And I'm proud of you. Let's go to a pro profile. Hey Sabrina, I appreciate you so stinking much applying your lessons to all my relationships, including myself. Please just give me a new name if you end up using on the pot. You got it, baby. Background. Been on the apps for about six months. Gets matches but rarely connect with someone who shares my sense of humor and values. Trying to be more specific. Any advice would be appreciated. Also, thoughts on FaceTime dates prior to actual Think it's helpful to conserve energy. Oh baby, I am huge on FaceTime dates. I love a vibe check. I saved my myself so much time when I dated by doing that a thousand percent. And honestly, I've had that and sometimes it's worked really well and others it hasn't. Like sometimes some people are just a little boring, but you'll be able to get a sense. Okay, first photo. It's cute. Can't really see your face. You're a babe and a half. And you guys will see the profile is going to pop up. You're stunningly beautiful. I don't know if that's my favorite first photo of you getting your hair braided. And is that a beer? It's like, okay, I just, you know, I want to set you up instead of grab. And here's the irony. You got a beer in your hand, it seems. But then you write instead of grabbing drinks so you can see where I'm like, which one do you want? Go for a beach jog with the doggos. Cold plunge to aggressively break the ice. Hit Dave and Busters. I love all of that. But here's the thing. They're putting the onus back onto you. Like if they choose that cold plunge to aggressively break the ice. Okay. And then that leaves it to you to go, okay, when do you want to do that? Have you cold plunged before? Unless they do that and go, let's do it this weekend. Then I would go and say, do you want to cold plunge with a stranger and put Yourself in a swimsuit without them knowing who you are, Even though you're absolutely, absolutely stunning and beautiful. Just you to get curious. I'm convinced that my lack of wisdom teeth means I'm Evolution's latest product.
Okay, okay. Psych. NP Student, University of Florida. Long term relationship. Okie doke. All right. Photo of you by the water. It's beautiful. Can't see you. Elf photo set. Glasses and a drink that looks like an alcoholic beverage. Can't see you. So I'm confused. You say, instead of grabbing drinks, let's do this, but then you have drinks in every one of your photos. Do you agree or disagree that the dress was gold and white? That's from like 2014. Really? Are we really still using that? That's what I mean. Babies, I love you, but come on. Then the other photo of you with your friends still, again, can't really see you. I see that you have a dope life. Green flags. I look for banter, roasting capabilities, but more specifically, anti Trump. Not big on religion and want kids again. I understand, but it's myopic. You're saying you have to do this. What if this person says, I might not be on big on to Trump, but I do think that this person has valid concern. Right? Like, I get it, but we have to say that, like, then you're cutting out a lot of people. It's the same with if you're like anti anything, it's like, it's the same that people that are like, I only want a Trump supporter. And you're like, whoa, myopic. I'm not saying you don't want to align on similarities, but save that conversation for in person. Because when people see that, they might just be like, too rigid. Next. And I'm just saying that again, unless that is the non negotiable of the millennium for you. Fine, I will never argue with that. If that is like, you refuse. But then I will say you're not really leaving space for someone to explain to you their why or what they feel or how they feel. Because then what you're saying is, well, my opinion is the only one that matters. You're wrong. If you don't agree with me and how I see it, then you're wrong. That's all I'm saying. Not big on religion and wants kids. Okay, then not big on religion. Same thing. Right? I don't share my race around my religion or my ethnicity, but it is important to me. But I don't practice it. But it's important to me. So I would definitely if I saw that I'd go oh maybe then maybe I wouldn't be the right match. Whereas Ryan doesn't give a flying about what I believe and what I do. Then it's that's what I'm saying is like I think the wants kids that I understand that I get. Right, that's valid. Then we go into the other photo of you with your girlfriends. Cute. I mean you're stunning, you're beautiful but I can't really, to be honest, I don't really know what you look like. And then the photo of you paddleboarding again. You have an epic life. You know what I see here and I'll be honest that as a person I'd go, how do I fit in? She travels a ton. Is she ever home? Is this going to be somebody that's always on the go? It's, you know, look at the first photo. I know you're traveling there because you have someone braiding your hair. There's a girl that used to go to the Bahamas. I know it. And so I'd say this, I think the reason like you want the depth and all of these things but I'm not getting any from your profile. I'm getting you know, like that the dress is golden white. Okay, same thing. Like I'm getting shallow. All of it is shallow. My wisdom teeth shallow. The dress is golden white shallow. What should we do instead of drinks and then green flags I look for the only one you've given me is banter. That's it. Like and wants kids. That's it. Even the anti trump not big on religions like again sure, if those are your green flags by all means but it doesn't matter what I see and when I see the rigidity of like must do this for me then I'm saying but are you holding space for other people's lived experience again? Then maybe we change instead of green flags I look for my non negotiables are and maybe you can explain it hasn't done doesn't put like doesn't agree with Trump because of X, Y and Z because maybe someone goes I don't agree with him. I don't agree with that part but this and then you can have a conversation about it and be like oh okay, you might not be a supporter but you can hold two conflicting thoughts. I think politicians are all no matter who they are but there are politicians. So I do have to be able to hold those two conflicting thoughts even if I think they're morons and that they're stupid and that their laws are dumb. Right? Like, that doesn't matter. So all I'm saying is I find it's ridiculous rigidity and a lot of photos that kind of show you show your body being banging. That's kind of it. And that you're active, but that. What I see here is I don't see how a person can look at this and go, I can fit into this person's life. I don't. Because you're with your girlfriends or you're traveling a ton, and that's beautiful. But maybe you can say, what I'm looking for is a travel buddy, somebody that we can explore the world. Somebody that does X, Y and Z. Like, talk to me about what it is that you genuinely are looking for in a partner. Not just. Just that they have banter. Because there's a lot of people that have banter that could be emotionally unavailable. A lot of the times, banter and sarcasm and all that could be beautiful. But that doesn't mean that they're ready for a relationship. Same with like, that they're not into religion and kids. It's like, okay, but I don't see that being intentional. And so that's why might. You might not be getting the matches that you want is because how are you portraying yourself? And I get it. Like, I know that you were saying, I rarely connect with someone who shares my sense of humor and values, but what are they? They what are your values? That you're anti Trump and that you want kids. But what. Go deeper. Why are you anti Trump? Why do you want somebody that doesn't like him? I don't give a. What your answer is. If somebody came to me and said, anti Biden, anti Democrat, anti Republican, I don't give a. Tell me more. And then I want you to ask is that my personality? Is my entire personality that I'm against a politician, or is there more to me that than that? Show me who you are and then come and tell me the matches that you're getting. And I get it. I. I think for me, there's nothing on this profile that would give me anything of like, wow, she's so funny and has a lot of banter. I don't get that. I don't pick up on that from the profile. And so that's my point is, like, have more flattering photos that show me your face. Not sunglasses, not you looking away, not you in a hat. The only one I see is that your eyes are stunningly beautiful. You are absolutely gorgeous. And that's not what matters anymore. It's your insides is as well, but you're outside. You're stunning, babe. That's not what this is about. But if you want someone that's going to match your freak with intellect, then give me some intellect. Give me something that they can respond to that has the depth. Then let's see how that turns out. It's okay, baby. We're learning, right? We are learning, we're evolving, we're growing. That's why I'm saying doesn't really matter where you fall on the spectrum and what your beliefs are. I respect every single person's as long as you respect other people's for having them. That's what I have a, a, a, a problem with right now. Everything is what about me ism. And it's like, okay, but not everything is about us. Not everything pertains to us. And if we can't hold space for somebody else's experience, then we're rigid and we're saying, but it's my way or the highway. All right, well good luck with that. All right. You're going to probably, especially being in Florida, you're going to get your fair share of people that might not agree with you. That's okay. I'm not saying you have to change that, please. No, I'm never saying that. But then it's just knowing that like your pool might be smaller, come out to California, you'll meet a lot more people that align with you or New York versus in, you know, in, in Florida where it's just a little bit more conservative. That's, that's okay. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I'm just saying like, maybe we can talk about other stuff. Maybe we can align on other things and then have those conversations or via FaceTime, right, of like, hey, so can we talk about like who did you vote for? If that is a non negotiable, I'm talking like that has to be the end all be all, 100% talk about it. I don't think that's wrong, but I want you to just hold space instead of cutting people off before they've even gotten on your profile. Unless that's a non negotiable, then please change it. Instead of green flags, make it a non negotiable so that they know. But that's also part of is like we have to look at how we're showing up to see then what we're receiving and that's okay, baby. We're learning. We're growing. We're evolving and I got your back so I'm really proud of you guys. Guys, thank you for sitting with me. This is so much fun. I love in the trenches. God we blow through time together. As always, if you need anything, check out the Healthy Dating and Relationship foundation course. It teaches you all the tools, it gives you step by step protocols, I give you meditations, I give you worksheets, I give you journal prompts, I give you help to figure out your non negotiables, figure your out patterns and figure out what the you actually want in a relationship. And guys, thank you as always for everything. Don't forget to rate and review the show and just thank you for being here with me. I'm so grateful every day to have this community and to be able to grow with you guys. It doesn't matter the size or the shape of it. I just know that we're in this together. So as always I will see you guys soon and have a great afternoon. Babies.
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Release Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Sabrina Zohar
This episode of The Sabrina Zohar Show zeroes in unflinchingly on the confusing terrain of early-stage dating—particularly “going slow,” friendzones, and modern mixed signals. Sabrina walks listeners through real-life questions submitted by the community, dissecting scenarios full of anxious-avoidant dynamics, unclear intentions, and emotional ambiguity, and providing no-nonsense, compassionate advice about asserting your needs, assessing relationship health, and reclaiming agency over your love life.
The tone is both warm and direct; Sabrina emphasizes self-awareness and emotional regulation, advocating for honest, sometimes tough, conversations while debunking myths about healing, dating strategies, and attachment. Real listener stories anchor each segment—raw, relatable, and unfiltered, demonstrating the real-life complexities of making sense of modern relationships.
[03:50 – 08:55]
Listener Letter (Dylan, Hawaii):
Dylan, a gay man in his mid-30s, shares that after years of fast, intense (ultimately unsatisfying) relationship patterns, he’s now taking things slow with a new partner for the first time. Despite this healthy pace, he worries he may have ended up in the friendzone due to a lack of physical escalation and his own fear of speaking up.
Sabrina’s Analysis:
“If it's really safe, then part of safety is feeling safe to express yourself to that partner.” (09:06)
“Part of a healthy and secure relationship is that you’re having the tough conversations even when scared of the answer. If you simply having a need, if you getting curious, if you saying something sends them running—then good, let me open the door…” (09:56)
“Hey, can I kiss you? I’d really love to. Or, hey, I’m really struggling to get a read on us. Are you interested in this romantically, or are you getting more of a friend vibe?” (11:18)
Key Takeaway:
You don’t get healthy, secure relationships by accident—you create them via clear communication, even at the risk of discomfort or loss.
[12:14 – 21:58]
Listener Letter (Sophia):
After attempting to set a healthy boundary with a texting-heavy date, Sophia is ghosted. Months later, they reconnect “as friends,” but quickly slide into a confusing, flirtatious, quasi-romantic dynamic with cuddling and tension—but not sex.
Sabrina’s Analysis:
“Why are we allowing them back in our life? We cannot be surprised when it doesn’t work out. They showed you their true colors; now we need you to believe them.” (12:42)
“Avoidant people are also anxious—she’s having a lot of anxiety… but she just goes inwards whereas the anxious person goes outwards.” (22:41)
“There’s no vulnerability, there’s no real depth… The relationship you guys have built, that’s why he keeps coming back—he’s not getting dysregulated, he doesn’t have to commit, he doesn’t owe you anything…” (17:04)
Key Takeaway:
Don’t accept breadcrumbs and semi-connections if you want the whole loaf. Set clear boundaries for yourself, honor your wants, and don’t be afraid of the tough conversations that reveal the truth—even if it means closing a door.
[24:35 – 29:30]
Listener Letter (Taryn, Perth WA):
After a conscious three-year dating break, Taryn finds herself in the healthiest relationship she’s ever experienced. The catch? Her partner might move back to Ireland in two years, and she has a son whose needs complicate big moves.
Sabrina’s Analysis:
“We have to leave space for the unknown to take its place. If you guys have a really beautiful connection, then you’ll be honest about it.” (29:10)
“There’s a fallacy in dating that this person that you meet has to be in your life forever. But maybe we can reframe and say, for now. For now, I like this person. That doesn’t mean it has to be forever.” (29:49)
Key Takeaway:
Healthy, mature relationships can thrive in uncertainty as long as both partners communicate and remain honest about their needs and intentions. Don’t sacrifice present happiness out of fear of the future.
[32:39 – 39:15]
Listener’s Profile:
A listener asks Sabrina to review her dating profile, noting she struggles to connect on values and humor.
Sabrina’s Critique:
“All of it is shallow. My wisdom teeth—shallow. The dress is gold and white—shallow. What should we do instead of drinks … But I’m not getting any depth from your profile.” (34:23)
Key Takeaway:
Authenticity and specificity draw in aligned matches—lead with depth and clarity, not with bullet points meant to filter out everyone who isn’t a clone.
On Safety in Relationships:
“If it’s really safe, then part of safety is feeling safe to express yourself to that partner.”
— Sabrina, [09:06]
On Communicating Needs:
“Healthy and secure doesn’t mean you never feel anything … it’s that you know how to tap into your tools and regulate and come back to a place of choice.”
— Sabrina, [11:45]
On Avoidant/Anxious Dynamics:
“Avoidant people are also anxious. She’s having a lot of anxiety, but she just goes inwards, whereas the anxious person goes outwards. No one is right or wrong, it’s two human experiences.”
— Sabrina, [22:41]
On Dating App Rigor:
“Is my entire personality that I’m against a politician, or is there more to me than that? Show me who you are, and then come tell me the matches you’re getting.”
— Sabrina, [38:45]
On Present-Focused Dating:
“We have to be able to live in the uncertainty and say, for now this feels really good. That doesn’t mean it has to be forever. … When we can reframe and shift that, we release control to the outcome and we surrender.”
— Sabrina, [29:49]
Sabrina’s language throughout the episode is direct, colloquial, and empathetic. She balances humor and “tough love,” using vivid analogies (e.g., “friendzone myself,” “panic goblin,” “breadcrumbing”), pop-culture references, and personal anecdotes for relatability—always circling back to empowerment, self-honesty, and growth.
Episode 176 is a candid and actionable guide for anyone navigating ambiguous early dating territory. Listeners are reminded that slow, intentional connection is not passive—it’s built on honest self-inquiry, clear communication, and the courage to ask and answer hard questions. Sabrina’s advice consistently centers on self-respect, owning one’s needs, and not settling for crumbs—or for relationships that never leave the “maybe” zone.
If you crave clarity in chaos, this episode delivers the tools and validation to reclaim your power and rewrite your own dating narrative.