When He’s Not Taking It to the Next Level: Why You Can’t Wait Forever

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

You’ve invested your heart.
You’ve made space in your life.
You’ve been patient. Understanding. Loyal.

But still—he hasn’t made a move.

Not toward exclusivity.
Not toward engagement.
Or worse… he proposed, and now the engagement lingers indefinitely.

At Linx, we work with exceptional women—smart, successful, emotionally generous—who want to build lives with someone extraordinary. And far too often, we meet them after they’ve spent months… even years… waiting for a man to “be ready.”

Here’s the truth: you can’t build a future with someone stuck in the pause.

1. If It Feels Like Limbo, It Is

A relationship should feel like forward motion—not a holding pattern. If you’re constantly wondering when he’ll step up, commit, or get serious, chances are… he won’t. Not because you aren’t worthy, but because he isn’t ready. Or worse, he’s comfortable—right where things are.

2. Words Are Easy. Watch His Pattern.

He says he wants a future. He talks about “someday.” But when it comes time to make plans, take steps, or define the relationship—he freezes.

A man’s actions tell you everything. If his pattern is avoidance, deflection, or procrastination, then you’re not his priority. You’re his safety net.

3. Engaged… But Not Advancing? That’s a Message.

We often romanticize engagements—but forget they’re meant to lead somewhere. If a man proposes but then resists planning, avoids conversations about marriage, or seems indifferent to timelines… that’s not “taking things slow.” That’s avoidance wrapped in sentiment.

You’re not “pressuring” someone by wanting to move forward. You’re honoring your life.

4. He’s Not Confused. He’s Comfortable.

This is the hardest truth:
A man who truly wants to be with you will not stay confused for years.

“Not ready” often translates to “not willing to change.”
And as long as you continue to give him everything—your support, your time, your heart—without requiring him to meet you where you are, he’ll stay comfortable. Because comfort costs him nothing.

5. You’re Not Asking for Too Much. You’re Asking the Wrong Person.

There is nothing unreasonable about wanting commitment, momentum, or clarity.
There is nothing “difficult” about setting standards.

The right man will feel inspired by your vision—not threatened.
The right man will move forward—not drag his feet.

Final Thought: You Can Leave the Waiting Room

The next level doesn’t come from nudging, begging, or outlasting his doubts. It comes from choosing yourself. From honoring your time, your value, and your desire to build a life that moves with intention.

If he won’t meet you there, step out of the waiting room.

Because the right partner?
He’s not hesitant.
He’s ready—and already walking your way.

When Betrayal Breaks Your Lens: Rebuilding Trust After Infidelity

By Amy Andersen, Founder and CEO of Linx Dating

Betrayal in love has a way of distorting reality. It doesn’t just break your heart—it can quietly rewire your thinking. One day, you believe in the good in people. The next, you find yourself questioning everyone’s intentions. “What if they all cheat?” becomes a thought you can’t shake.

This isn’t uncommon. In fact, I’m working with a client right now who’s navigating this exact challenge. He’s a successful, thoughtful man. But after being cheated on, he’s developed a belief that women—all women—can’t be trusted. Layered into this pain are deeper insecurities about his height and ethnicity. As a shorter Asian man, he’s begun to fear that every woman he meets will eventually leave him for someone “taller, stronger, better.”

This spiral isn’t just about a breakup. It’s about identity, self-worth, and the stories we begin to tell ourselves in the aftermath of hurt.

The Danger of Generalization

When we experience trauma, especially in love, our brains naturally try to make sense of it. Unfortunately, they often land on sweeping generalizations:

• “All women cheat.”

• “No one will ever truly choose me.”

• “I’m not enough unless I look a certain way.”

But here’s the truth: what happened to you is not the blueprint for what will always happen. The actions of one person—no matter how devastating—are not representative of an entire gender or future.

If you’ve been betrayed, it’s natural to become hypervigilant. But living in that space of constant suspicion blocks the very thing you ultimately want: connection.

Reframing the Inner Critic

Often, our inner critic weaponizes pain. Instead of saying, “That person made a hurtful choice,” it whispers, “You weren’t good enough. You’ll never be enough.” That voice is persuasive, and cruel.

But you don’t have to believe it.

Try this reframe:

• Instead of “I must not be desirable,” try “Someone failed to see my value—and that’s on them.”

• Instead of “I’ll always be left,” try “I deserve someone who sees me as their forever choice.”

You are not the exception. You are not “less than.” You are a human being worthy of love, loyalty, and security—just as you are.

Compassion as a Compass

It might sound simple, but the most radical act you can do after betrayal is to be kind to yourself.

That means allowing the hurt to breathe—but not letting it set up camp. It means noticing when you’re spiraling, and gently asking: “What am I afraid of? Is that fear rooted in fact—or old pain?”

Healing doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind. It means learning to trust yourself again—your instincts, your intuition, your ability to spot healthy love and walk away from red flags.

Dating Smarter, Not Harder

As you rebuild, the goal isn’t to date from a place of fear—it’s to date from a place of clarity.

Yes, pay attention to character. Yes, observe consistency. Yes, ask real questions early on. But don’t interrogate someone today for the sins of someone from your past.

Instead, use this mindset:

• “I’m open to love—but I won’t abandon myself for it.”

• “I can move slowly, with curiosity, and still be brave.”

• “I get to ask for what I need—and walk away if it’s not available.”

To the man reading this who thinks he has to be taller, richer, or someone else entirely to be loved: you are enough right now.

To the person who’s still haunted by betrayal: your pain is valid, but it is not your destiny.

You are not broken. You are becoming.

And the right partner? They won’t just tolerate your truth. They’ll treasure it.