Dating in Your 20s17 Jul 2025

Putting Yourself Out There (Ugh) The brave act of dating with anxiety

Dating in your 20s can feel like one long experiment in emotional exposure. In this episode, Amelia and Lilly dive into the vulnerable (and sometimes deeply uncomfortable) act of putting yourself out there—whether that’s through dating apps, awkward singles events, or blind dates arranged by your parents (yes, really).

We talk about:

The shame spiral of wearing a name tag at a singles event
When a backhanded compliment sticks with you for way too long
Why your nervous system might be louder than your gut sometimes
How dating apps mess with our need to be both authentic and “appealing”
And what it means to show up as yourself without a safety net

We’re not promising dating hacks, but we are breaking down the psychology behind what makes it all feel so high-stakes—and how to stay connected to yourself through the mess of it.

Therapy-Informed Takeaways:

Vulnerability is necessary for connection—but it can feel like danger if rejection has been part of your story.
Singles events can be surprisingly helpful for practicing presence in low-stakes environments.
Dating apps ask us to curate and perform. Real connection asks for something entirely different.
Rejection—especially ghosting—activates the same pain centers as physical injury. You’re not overreacting.
Your body tells you a lot: tension, fatigue, or even a clenched jaw are signals worth listening to.
Building self-trust means getting good at hearing your “no” and honoring your “yes.”

Related Episodes:

Dating In Your 20s Anonymous Corner

We'd love to hear from you! Check out the anonymous DIY20s Form. It's a safe, judgment-free space to share what’s going on in your love life.

Connect:

Lilly Wehman: Millennium | LinkedIn
Amelia Abernathy: Millennium | Linkedin

This podcast is powered by Millennium Counseling Center in Chicago, IL. To learn more visit: millenniumhope.com

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(24)

Stop Imagining the Wedding, Imagine the Marriage

Relationship anxiety does not disappear once the dating stage ends. Sometimes it shows up as planning, comparison, excitement, or constantly thinking about the next milestone.Lilly Wehman and Amelia A...

13 Aug 40min

Summer House, Friendship Breakups, and Finding Yourself After a Relationship

Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy use the Summer House Season 10 drama to talk about self-worth, friendship breakups, and what happens when someone moves from one relationship into the next without sl...

8 Jul 1h 8min

How Chronic Illness Shapes Dating, Identity, and Emotional Intimacy

In this episode, Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy explore what it means to date while navigating a chronic illness. Through personal storytelling and a therapeutic lens, they unpack the realities of ...

14 Mai 34min

The 20s Shift: Outgrowing, Holding On, and Becoming

In this episode, Amelia Abernathy and Lilly Wehman explore the evolving nature of friendships, relationships, and identity in your 20s. Through an honest and reflective conversation, they unpack how l...

7 Mai 30min

Everything I Know About Dating in Your 20s

In this episode of Dating In Your 20s, Amelia sits down with Lilly to unpack the lessons, heartbreaks, and reality checks that shape so many of our dating experiences in our twenties. Inspired by Doll...

17 Feb 34min

The “Village” We Romanticize vs. the Village We Actually Build

Your 20s are basically one ongoing identity crisis — dating feels confusing, friendships feel different than they used to, and everyone seems to be overwhelmed, healing, or “protecting their peace.” I...

11 Des 202523min

Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?

In today’s dating culture, where everyone is either soft launching, situationshipping, or pretending they don’t care…it almost feels controversial to say you have a boyfriend. Thanks to a recent Vogue...

4 Des 202535min

Self-Celebration Isn't Selfish

In this episode, Amelia and Lilly dive into the idea of personal growth through relationships—how every connection, whether positive or painful, can become a mirror for self-development. Lilly shares ...

13 Nov 202530min