Let’s face it: conventional dating in 2025 is like trying to parallel park a semi truck in a clown car parking spot. It’s stressful, awkward, and you’ll probably end up crying in a coffee house drive through while some mediocre breakup song plays in the background. Between the performative romance, forced small talk about *their thoughts on avocado toast as a personality trait*, and the soul- crushing dread of “So…. what are we?” It’s no wonder people are swiping left on dating and right on the *delete app button.
Enter the unsung hero of modern relationships: ** Friends With Benefits (FWB)**. It’s like your favorite streaming app but for companionship. You can browse, find the vibe that right for you and then just sit back and chill. Let’ break down why FWB is the avocado -lime margarita to dating’s flat kombucha.
***1. No Performative Nonsense
Dating demands you morph into a LinkedIn version of yourself. You suddenly *love trying new restaurants* ( you’ve eaten cereal for dinner 3 times this week), and * value deep conversations* ( your group chat is 90% memes of cats in hats).
With FWB? You can admit you’d rather order pizza , wear sweatpants, and binge the newest reality T.V. show while debating if the fast food taco drive through qualifies as ” Mexican food.” No pretense. No pretending you know how to pronounce “quinoa.” Just two humans , one couch, and a mutual understanding that pants are optional.
***2. The ghosting Guillotine is Disarmed
In dating ghosting is the emotional is the emotional equivalent of getting left on “read” while your house burns down. But in FWB-land? If they vanish, you shrug, text someone else, and keep it moving, It’s the beauty of *low stakes, high rewards.* You’re not staring at your phone wondering if they’ll ever text back; you’re too busy living your best life.
Plus of they do ghost, you can passive- aggressively like their instagram post from 2017. It’s called *closure*, Karen
***3. Bye-bye, Budget Busting Dates
Dating is a financial black hole. Fancy dinners! Concert tickets! ( Unless you want too of course, no pressure involved!) Artisanal cocktails that cost $18 and taste like regret! Meanwhile FWB is fiscally responsible. Your biggest expense may be splitting a pizza and pretending you’ll *totally* Venmo them for the garlic bread( you won’t).
Think of it as a recession- proof romance strategy. Why spend a $100 on a date when you can spend $0 on a *vibes based hangout*. Capitalism hates this trick.
*** 4. No forced meet the parents trauma
Dating means eventually facing their family, where you’ll be interrogated about your life goals, (much like a first date). Their dad will subtly judge your handshake while their mom forces you to make direct eye contact claiming it’s a sign of an honest person forgetting that anxiety and awkwardness are both things. In a FWB setup? The only “meeting the parents” you’re doing is when your mom Face times and you dive behind the couch like a CIA operative.
***5. The Communication is *actually* honest
Dating culture thrives on mind games. “Wait 3 hours to text back.” “Don’t seem too eager.” “Casually mention your ex to make them jealous.” It’s exhausting and aren’t we all tired already? FWB relationships run on directness: * You free tonight?” “Yes, but I will steal your hoodie.” ‘Deal”
It’s a verbal handshake. Refreshing! Revolutionary! Not a single horoscope consulted in the making of this arrangement!
***In Conclusion
Conventional dating isn’t just garbage, it’s a landfill on fire. But FWB? It’s the biodegradable, compostable alternative. It’s datings cool cousin who shows up with snacks, doesn’t overstay their welcome, and never asks, “Where is this going?”
So next time someone hits you with “U up?”, embrace the freedom. FWB is like a trampoline, fun, bouncy, and life’s too short to not make that leap! Now go forth, message that “friend” and embrace a bit of fun without the drama, worry and stress.
*[Authors note: No hoodies were harmed in the writing of this post. But seriously, give it back.]
