Provoked with Dr. Todd Kashdan

Provoked with Dr. Todd Kashdan

The Relationship Obstacle Course and Undateables

Why Some People Are Always Single (And Not in a Cool, Mysterious Way)

Mar 23, 2025
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Some people aren’t single because they have to be. They’re single because they’re running a one-person quality control department for potential partners, rejecting every applicant for the slightest misalignment.

It could be you. One thing is for sure, you’ve met them…

The serial dater who claims no one meets their standards. The friend who complains about never finding a “suitable” partner, even though they’ve turned down 47 viable candidates in the past six months for crimes like “uses too many emojis” or “laughed slightly weird.” These are the people living in a constant state of romantic dissatisfaction, circling the dating pool like a shark that refuses to bite because the seal didn’t come with a side of truffle fries.

Here’s the thing…

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