5 Guys You Date In Your Mid-Twenties

Dating in my mid-twenties has not at all been what I thought it would be. To be completely honest, I wouldn't even call it "dating."

To be even more honest, I didn't think I would be dating in my mid-twenties.

I had a life plan. I knew that I would be engaged at 24, married at 25, with two kids at 27. You know what? Life plans suck. Life is fluid. 

You shouldn't plan it. You should have goals, dreams, ambitions - but not a plan.  Hasn't anyone told you, "things never go as planned." No? Me neither. That's why I'm writing this.

Dating in your late teens/ early twenties is about finding someone you like to be around.  Finding that person that you can share your trials and tribulations with. For me, it was finding that guy that would watch endless episodes of Doctor Who, play Super Mario Brothers, and drink wine with me on a Friday night. It really was about learning how to be in a relationship - how to feel comfortable, safe, and let my guard down.

But for me, and for a lot of you that are reading this (I'm assuming), that Doctor Who loving, video game playing, wine drinking relationship ended. For one reason or another - that relationship wasn't meant to be. And now, here you are - no longer in college - no longer a 21 year old - but 24, 25, 26... A mid-twenties girl.

As mid-twenties girls  women, we are career-focused, driven, and independent.  The men boys that scorned us propelled us into this # G I R L B O S S mentality that has lead us to travel, learn, and discover ourselves in ways that we never imagined. But you know what they didn't do (besides put a ring on it)? They didn't point us in the direction of who or how to love in our mid-twenties.

The 5 most common types of guys I've found include:

1. The Ghost
That on again off again guy who you think you might be in a relationship with...but you're never really sure.  You text for three weeks straight... and then he drops off the face of the Earth. And of course you don't text him for fear of coming off clingy. So you wait... And he eventually shows up and you think this time will be different... But nope. Still Casper.

2. The Already Spoken For
That's right. We all at some point find the man we think is our soulmate. He likes the same type of music as you, he flirts with you at work, he is genuinely interested in you... And then he invites you out...for drinks...with him and his girlfriend. "You can bring your boyfriend! Oh, you don't have one. That's cool."

3. The Party Boy
He just wants to go out and have a good time. Never anything serious. Still drinks too much on the weekends. He's fun, but never going to live up to the picture you have in your head.

4. The Overly Attached
Opposite of the Party Boy and the Ghost, the Overly Attached just won't take a hint. You go out for one or two nice dates - and suddenly... It's like you're engaged to be married. He wants to know who you're with, what you're doing, and why you opened his snap 5 minutes ago but still haven't snapped him back. RUN. RUN FAR AND FAST.

5. That One Ex
I don't even know if I have to explain this one. He's just somehow...always...there.

So what do we as smart, strong, millennial, #GIRLBOSS women do? Hell if I know. As far as I can tell, we just have to keep fumbling along and holding our men to high standards (while simultaneously kicking all the boys to the curb) and know that there is always a T.Swift song we can relate to.

What are your tips for dating in your mid-twenties? Does this list match your experience? Leave a comment below.

With love,

Traci J

*photos courtesy of deathtothestockphoto.com