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Home · Relationships

The 13 Most Common Excuses Men Make For 'Not Being Ready' For Your Love

The 13 Most Common Excuses Men Make For 'Not Being Ready' For Your Love

By Lauren Porter · September 26, 2017October 26, 2020
01
‘I Really Want To Focus On My Career’
This guy’s favorite excuse is that their job and career ambitions are all-consuming and therefore they just can’t balance having a “distraction” like a relationship happening at the same time. Translation: He values success more than being in a relationship. Period.
PeopleImages/Getty
02
‘I’m Afraid Of Commitment’
Some guys just love to play the commitment card. Translation: They’d rather just avoid taking the next step in the relationship and enjoying being single and unattached.
John Henley/Getty
03
‘Let’s Just Enjoy What We Have’
When a guy wants to have his cake and eat it too, this just might be his go-to line. Having fun essentially means he wants to reap the benefits of a relationship–sex included–with no strings attached. Translation: You really don’t want the same things.
Don Mason/Getty
04
‘I Don’t Want To Ruin Our Friendship’
The best love stories begin with a beautiful friendship. This is just a candy-coated version of the same old excuse. Translation: He doesn’t want to be more than friends. Case closed.
Alija/Getty
05
‘I Like Things Just The Way They Are’
This could mean that you are both comfortable and have settled into a routine or “situationship” that doesn’t require a promise for a future. Liking how things are at the moment could be guy code for “this is as good as it gets.” Translation: He doesn’t want to push or grow with you.
JGI/Tom Grill/Getty
06
“I Don’t Deserve You”
As Maya Angelou taught us, when someone shows you who they are, believe them. Girl, Mother Maya was never wrong. Translation: I know your worth, but I’m still not ready for you.
Cultura RM Exclusive/Matt Dutile/
07
“My Ex Really Hurt Me”
In some cases, an emotionally damaged man who doesn’t want to heal through his hurt might cling to the excuse of a bad breakup so they don’t have to move forward with a new relationship. Translation: He needs time you may not have to give him.
Peopleimages/Getty
08
“I’m Want To Do Me Right Now”
When men say they want to receive but never give, that can be a red flag. Translation: Move on because he’s doing you and you should be doing the same.
Thomas Barwick/Getty
09
“I Don’t Do Labels”
Labels come with boundaries, and when men aren’t emotionally mature enough to be in a serious relationship, they are the last thing they want to be confined to. Translation: He doesn’t do girlfriends.
Thomas M. Barwick
10
“I Want To Take Things Slow”
If he wants to take things slow but is eager to do other things quickly, you’re in danger sis! Translation: While he could, in fact, need more time, that time may be spent keeping his options open.
Wavebreakmedia/Getty
11
“I’m Just Not Ready”
He’s probably right about this one, but the truth is he still has it all wrong. If the right woman comes along, a man who’s can recognize it will figure out how to be ready for her. Translation: He doesn’t think it’s him, he thinks it’s you. Next!
PeopleImages/Getty
12
“The Timing Isn’t Right”
Blaming bad timing seriously oversimplifies and underestimates the power of finding balance between a good, healthy and loving relationship and your career or lifestyle. If he isn’t ready to invest, you shouldn’t be either. Translation: He doesn’t know how to make room in his life for anything serious.
LeoPatrizi/
13
“I’m Not Really Looking For A Relationship”
If he’s not really looking for a relationship then why entertain him? Translation: Besides, if love is the language your speaking, you need to find someone who is fluent in it and it’s not him.
Brad Wilson/

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