The Efficiency Trap & The Loneliness Gap

Do you believe that Love Wins? Dates & Mates is a finalist for our first-ever Signal Award, and we need every single listener to make their voice heard. We are the ONLY relationship-focused and independently produced podcast nominated in the How To & Advice category.  If you have ever been helped, inspired, or changed by listening to this podcast, this is the moment to let me know. It takes 30 seconds or less to VOTE at damonahoffman.com/award.  ********************************** You've mastered the logistics of life together, but somewhere along the way, you stopped actually living it together. This week, a listener shares: "I'm lonely in my own marriage. We've been together 12 years and we're like this well-oiled machine. Kids get to practice, bills are paid, house doesn't fall apart, but that's it. We don't actually talk anymore, just coordinate. Last week I realized we hadn't had a real conversation in probably two months. When I brought it up, he was like, 'what's wrong? We're good. We don't fight.' But I'm dying here. I miss my husband." In this episode, Damona explores what happens when couples perfect the art of co-managing but lose the skills of co-connecting. You'll hear why functional doesn't have to mean emotionally empty, and how to bridge the gap when one person doesn't even see the problem. What You'll Hear In This Episode: Why becoming a "well-oiled machine" can actually work against your relationship How to practice intimacy skills the same way you schedule soccer practice The difference between absence of conflict and presence of connection Why two months without real conversation signals an emotional drought How to get from logistics to feelings without blindsiding your partner What "relationship amnesia" looks like and how to recover those lost skills Why missing someone who's sitting right next to you hits so differently Resources & Links: Got a relationship question? DM @DamonaHoffman on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook Leave a voicemail or text: 424-246-6255 Dates & Mates is a finalist for a Signal Award! We need your support to ensure Love Wins! Vote for Dates & Mates at damonahoffman.com/award Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices