He’s Not Ready for a Relationship. Will He Ever Change?

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Written by: Dr. Wendy Walsh

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Known as America's Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh is an award-winning television journalist, radio host & podcaster, and the author of three books on relationships and thousands of print and digital articles. More than 1.5 million people follow her sage advice on social media. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and teaches in the Psychology Department at California State University Channel Islands and has been the host of "The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show" on iHeart Radio's KFI AM 640 since 2015. Walsh is also a former Emmy-nominated co-host of "The Doctors," as well as former host of the nationally syndicated show "EXTRA." She was named a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2017 after speaking out about harassment at a major news network.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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Reader Question:

This guy and I have been talking for about three years. We have never been in a relationship but have been intimate on several occasions.

I recently wanted to pursue a relationship. He got mad at me and told me he’s not ready. He stopped talking to me for three weeks. I told him as long as our friendship can last, a relationship is not important.

Do you think he will ever change? Should I wait around for him?

-Shakia (Massachusetts)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Dear Shakia,

He will not change if you stay the same. All his needs are being met here. He has no reason to enter a romantic relationship if he can get all the benefits without having to commit.

He even tested you by cutting off communication for three weeks. And you came running back to maintain the old, unfulfilling friendship.

My advice: Tell him clearly when he’s ready to have a real, committed, romantic relationship, he should call you, but until then, you are unavailable.

Then don’t get weak and let him suck you back into the old system. No texting. No calling. No Facebook stalking.

My hunch is this is not the guy for you, but this friendship is somehow keeping you from meeting a really great guy.


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