Loading summary
A
When a dismissive avoidant doesn't commit and actually try to progress the relationship, it often leaves people of insecure attachment styles feeling confused, overwhelmed and even hurt in this particular instance. But how does a secure person respond to this? And what makes this secure response change everything? You're about to find out. I'm going to break down for you what securely attached people do when a dismissive avoidant doesn't commit and how that turns the tables in their favor. Foreign things to address is that in that dating stage of relationships, that very first stage where we're getting to know somebody, each attachment style has a unique timeline that they generally tend to expect somebody to make a commitment along. So a securely attached person has a different set of ideas about how long between meeting somebody and then like really committing to a relationship that framework should be versus an anxious preoccupied person, for example. So generally for aps, APS are read to like be in a committed relationship, sometimes as early as the two week mark. And usually that range starts to sort of up the ante in terms of the pressure. The AP feels a lot more like pressure to commit around like four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks. Like right around that time aps are really ready to commit. Now, if you look at a dismissive avoidant, dismissive avoidance, their general timeline often is like three to six months tends to be the range. So at two months like that eight week period for aps, they're not even anywhere near being ready for that. So you can see right away in the early dating stage just how complicated that will make things, let alone that they have a totally different set of subconscious rules and ideas about how to give and receive love to one another. So with that being said, you know, a securely attached person actually tends to share a similar timeline of expectations to a fearful avoidant person. And this tends to be between two and a half in the early stages to about three to four months. So that sort of range. And again, please keep in mind, this range will be dependent on a whole bunch of other factors. Like it's not so cut and dry because are you friends first before you start dating? Do you see each other every day? Do you work in the same place? Are you long distance? Like all of those things will have a very different impact. But as a general rule, the types of patterns I would see, the most securely attached people are usually waiting for the first two and a half months to really vet somebody. And that may be the time that they're ready to make a commitment. Usually around the three month mark is more accurate. They can stretch up to four months and we'll usually see that kind of time to properly vet a partner. So when we then pair that up with a dismissive, avoidant individual. And keep in mind too, like I know I mentioned the FA timeline, the FA has that three to four month timeline for different reasons, right? Like they may share that same timeline, but it's often because the FA is kind of going from their anxious to their avoidant side and constantly has this like mixed set of feelings about how to commit or whether or not to commit. Whereas the securely attached person is usually taking the appropriate amount of time to just vet to ask the right questions, to really establish like, is this the right relationship for me? Am I the right person for this relationship? And they're usually really getting to know somebody intentionally with finding out that information as being the goal. So then when we have a dismissive, avoidant, right, they're looking like four to six months. And so let's say for example, that we have somebody who's more intensively da, like a more intense dismissive avoidant and somebody who's, you know, secure with like a little bit of anxious preoccupied in there. So let's say they're secure, they're ready to, to commit to a relationship around the three month mark. Okay, let's say even like two and a half month mark. And let's say our more extreme DA is looking at around six months. What would the securely attached person do in that situation? How would they approach the conversation? Well, the securely attached person first and foremost would recognize that not everybody follows the same expectations as they do. Right? Everybody has different timelines, everybody has different needs, they have different expectations. So while they wouldn't dismiss their own needs, they would be able to hold what their needs are, but also hold empathy, understanding and awareness for the fact that somebody else probably moves at a different pace than they do because they have a unique background and upbringing and set of expectations for how they do relationships. And the securely attached person would not be taking that personally. Right? They're not like, oh, I'm not good enough or you know, they're doing something bad behind my back and that's why they won't commit. They don't rush to make these assumptions. Instead they tend to be more approach oriented in their behavior and try to ask questions rather than make assumptions and kind of get to the bottom of things. I just wanted to pop in here and let you know we are doing a seven day free trial to the all access membership pass at pds, which means you get access to literally everything inside of the school. And this includes the four live webinars I do with our students every single week. And on top of that, you get access to to all of our different courses. We have over 55 different courses on relationships, communication, boundaries, Emotional mastery, guilt and shame. Learning your needs. So many different facets that are really important to master our lives and feel really good about our lives going forward. And last but not least, there's a daily community event. We have trained facilitators and coaches who are in there doing that work, showing up to support you on your journey every single day. Please join me on the other side. Come, come check it out, see if it's a fit for you. I'd love to see you there. Go ahead and sign up by clicking the link in the description box below. The way that a securely attached person might approach the situation is first to let the person know how they are feeling. And it's interesting because we'll see like a fearful avoidant. Usually we'll just hold things in. Anxious preoccupied can also sometimes hold back and not say too much because they're afraid of pushing that person away. So as a way to maintain more closeness, they kind of silence their needs and go into people pleasing the other person's needs. But generally for anxious preoccupied, we'll see that kind of come out more in different ways. So a securely attached person would approach a dismissive avoidant, say, hey look, I really been enjoying getting enjoying getting to know you. I've had a great time these past few months and I'm definitely in a place where I could see this being something and going somewhere. And so while I'm not saying that this has to be this immediate decision, I'm letting you know that I definitely want a commitment longer term. That's the path I see this taking. But I also value and care about my own time and so I don't want to be investing with that intention in mind for the future if you're not on the same page. So what I am needing from you is a confirmation that you see this also moving in that type of direction long term. Like obviously I'm speaking very formally. You would put that into the words of like how you're actually going to have a conversation with your loved one. But they would be really clear. They would say I've arrived at a conclusion, right? I can see this going somewhere. I also care about my own time. I'm not asking you to make a decision right now that we have to be exclusive this moment. I'm okay with you having a slightly different timeline, but I need to know that directionally you're moving in that space and that within the next, you know, period of time you're going to see that this can be a good place for us to go to. So they're, they're looking out, the securely attached person is looking out for their needs. They're supporting their frame of reference for like, what their intentions are in the relationship. They feel fully confident in expressing that and they're able to hold the other person's point of view and kind of empathize with somebody being different than they are and maybe being slower moving, maybe needing more time to make commitments, but making a stance, right? They're, they're being able to communicate, show up back themselves, say, this is what I'm looking for and I value my own time. So if you're not also moving in that direction, tell me, because then I can make a decision according to that information. So there's no like, what are we. That kind of pops out of the blue. There's no like, hey, I need to know something right now. Are you making a commitment or not? There is no, like, immediate pressure, which we know is first of all going to push the dismissive avoidant in the totally opposite direction. And on top of that, there's not like a people pleasing where they're unwilling to communicate what their stance is and what they're needing and then just resent it, resent the person later on. They're also not willing to get caught in the gray area forever. And they're also not willing to put themselves in a position where they're going to try to not, you know, try to play it cool, let's say. And then, you know that pressure is going to come out in different ways, right? These indirect ways, which ultimately just makes somebody feel so much more pressured. So that's that part. Now what would the securely attached person then do if their, their person they're dating was like not responding to that type of conversation or didn't give a good answer to that situation, right? Like, what would they then do at that point? So I'll tell you. When we look at this different dynamic, right? And the securely attached person goes into having this conversation, they brought that up to the dismissive avoidant and let's say in response, the dismissive avoidance, like, I don't know what I want, or they're like, you know what, maybe, but I don't know, or let's say they say, yes, I am on the same page. But then all this Time passes and the needle hasn't moved, the securely attached person would then follow up with more clarity, more specificity, and then with backing themselves a step further. So in that next case or conversation, they might say, and even if it's in the same conversation, totally fine. If you don't know. I very much understand that we have different timelines and ideas about how long things should take to draw those conclusions. I do also want to let you know that I really value my time and I really care about, like, where I'm investing it. So I'll give you some time and space to sort that out, to figure that out. But if I don't see something that looks like it's a progression and it's substantial within the next couple of months or the next few weeks, or insert your kind of timeline that seems relevant, ideally, don't tell somebody, like, within 24 hours. Like, you don't want it to seem like an ultimatum. You want to give space and time for somebody to figure it out. But you would say, if I don't see progression in the next little while, then I will follow up with you. And if we haven't been able to make a decision together to progress, and I will have to just take a step back because I'm looking for somebody who's ready to commit in a relationship, and that's valuable to me, and that's important to me for where I'm at right now. And so there's not, like, a threat, right? There's no. Like, if you don't make a decision, I'm out of here. There's no threat, but there is, like, showing that person that there's a natural consequence for them not showing up. Right? And it's healthy. This is how we back ourselves. This is how we have boundaries. This is how we, like, show up and communicate in a healthy way. And it's showing that there's these natural consequences, like, if you're not ready to move the needle, and that's what I want, and that's where my time, like, that's my timeline that I'm looking for a commitment within, and I don't see any progression, then, like, for me, I don't want to be with somebody who's not willing to have that kind of progression. Now, don't say it like that, right? Say it like how I said it a minute ago and using the kind of, like, script I gave you. But that's you fully backing yourself the vast majority of time. When I work with clients on these types of things, and they would have those conversations. Das would respond very well to those sorts of things because there's no immediate pressure, there's no ultimatum. But there is like this self respect. There is like, hey, I know what I want, I'm clear and I'm here to back myself and my standards and that's it. And jump on board or don't jump on board. I really enjoy spending time with you. I really like you. But if you're not ready and you're not willing to make a commitment, I'm also not going to get stuck in this gray area with you because I'm clear about my boundaries. It's this healthy kind of win, win. And at the end of the day, I know it can be scary to have those conversations, especially if you're a little bit more anxious leaning. But in having those conversations that's how we see the transformation and that's also how you become more secure because you're backing yourself in the experience, right? You're sure of what you want. You've got your standards. You're not willing to kind of just tiptoe around or get stuck in this gray area for so long and you're showing people how you want to be treated. I hope this makes sense. I hope this is helpful and let me know any other questions you have down in the comments below. Especially if there's things that you want to know. Like how would a secure person XYZ like let me know what you're curious about from that perspective. Thank you so much for watching. Thank you for being here. If you enjoy this channel, please consider liking subscribing sharing this video and I will see you in future videos.
Podcast Summary: The Thais Gibson Podcast
Episode Title: A Secure Person Does THIS When An Avoidant Won't Commit
Release Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Thais Gibson
In this episode, Thais Gibson explores a common and challenging dating scenario: what happens when a dismissive avoidant partner is hesitant or unwilling to commit, and how a securely attached individual reacts in this situation. The discussion dives into the timelines and emotional frameworks of different attachment styles, with a focus on practical, secure strategies for communication, boundary setting, and self-respect. Listeners are offered both theoretical insight and concrete guidance for navigating such relationship dynamics with healthy boundaries.
(00:00–04:30)
Each attachment style has its own "internal clock" or expectation for when commitment should happen in a relationship.
Anxious Preoccupied (AP): Often ready to commit very quickly—sometimes as early as two weeks, feeling pressured by 4–8 weeks.
Dismissive Avoidant (DA): Generally comfortable waiting much longer—typically between 3–6 months.
Secure: Tends to wait 2.5 to 4 months, using this time to vet and intentionally get to know a potential partner.
Fearful Avoidant (FA): Similar timeline to secure types but for different emotional reasons (moving between anxious and avoidant states).
Quote:
"A securely attached person is usually taking the appropriate amount of time to just vet, to ask the right questions, to really establish like, is this the right relationship for me?... They're usually really getting to know somebody intentionally with finding out that information as being the goal."
(Thais Gibson, 03:45)
Differences in these timelines can create confusion and tension—especially when one partner is AP and the other is DA.
(04:30–13:30)
Secure individuals recognize that everyone has different timelines and needs; they don’t take things personally or make hasty, negative assumptions.
Approach is guided by empathy, directness, and clarity—not pressure or people-pleasing.
They hold their own needs while respecting the partner’s process.
Quote:
"A securely attached person would recognize that not everybody follows the same expectations as they do…they would be able to hold what their needs are, but also hold empathy, understanding and awareness…"
(Thais Gibson, 05:46)
The secure response involves:
(13:30–16:30)
A securely attached person might say (paraphrased):
"I've really enjoyed getting to know you. I could see this going somewhere. While I’m not asking for an immediate decision, I do want to see that we’re moving in a direction towards commitment. I value my time, so I’d like to know if you see things going this way too."
The emphasis is on clarity:
(16:30–21:00)
If the avoidant partner doesn’t provide clarity or commitment—even after such a conversation—a secure individual escalates their boundary:
Quote:
"You would say, if I don't see progression in the next little while, then I will follow up with you. And if we haven't been able to make a decision together to progress, then I will have to just take a step back because I'm looking for somebody who's ready to commit…"
(Thais Gibson, 18:50)
Important nuances:
(21:00–End)
Such conversations often result in dismissive avoidants responding positively—because pressure is removed and the secure individual models healthy boundaries.
The process is transformative for both the relationship and personal growth.
Quote:
"There is like this self-respect. There is like, hey, I know what I want, I'm clear, and I'm here to back myself and my standards and that's it. And jump on board or don't jump on board."
(Thais Gibson, 23:15)
Thais reiterates:
On Different Timelines:
"You can see right away in the early dating stage just how complicated that will make things..." (Thais Gibson, 02:00)
On Direct Communication:
"They're not willing to get caught in the gray area forever... They're not willing to try to play it cool, only for that pressure to come out in different ways." (Thais Gibson, 10:40)
On Self-Respect:
"At the end of the day...in having those conversations, that's how we see the transformation and that's also how you become more secure because you're backing yourself in the experience..."
(Thais Gibson, 24:30)
Thais Gibson illustrates that the power of secure attachment in relationships lies in honest, empathetic communication, clear boundaries, and an unwavering sense of self-respect. Secure individuals neither pressure nor silence themselves; they model the very standards they expect, creating a space for true relational growth and mutual commitment.
For further insights or to suggest future topics, Thais invites comments from listeners eager to learn more about secure behavior in a variety of dating and relationship scenarios.