Why do people treat love like a 'hunt' and leave behind a trail of trauma?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how modern dating often feels less like connection and more like a hunt.
There’s this toxic mindset where the "chase" is everything. People will chase you, care for you, and give you validation only until you finally give in. The moment you reciprocate, the charm is gone. Suddenly, you aren’t "special" anymore, and the effort completely stops. You change from being a person to just a milestone they achieved.
Even worse is the normalization of cheating and locker-room talk. I’ve seen this attitude of "You’re only a cheater if you get caught, otherwise just enjoy life."
Yes, this happens across genders, but for those who enter relationships with pure intentions, the aftermath is devastating. Why does nobody stop to think about the psychological damage they cause? A few moments of casual fun or ego-satisfaction for one person can leave the other with years of severe trauma, deep-rooted trust issues, and a shattered hope of ever finding genuine love.
The human body is just material; it's our emotions that make us human. Our bodies are meant to experience feelings, not just physical lust.
I know it feels hopeless, but I’m writing this here in the hope that even if one person reads this, reflects on their actions, and decides to change how they treat others, it will be worth it. Stop treating people like prey. Relationships are meant to build people up, not break them down.