You want to love. But in your own way. Without necessarily following the old rules. Classic couple, chosen singlehood, open relationship, throuple… today, everything exists. And sometimes, everything gets mixed up. But behind this apparent freedom, a real question lurks: do we still really know how to love?
Photo Vika Glitter
Love has never been so free… nor so complicated! Lets be honest for a second. Today, you can be in a couple without living together. Be single… but see someone every weekend. Explore an open relationship, try a throuple, or refuse any label. In short, youve never had so many possibilities.
And yet…
According to INSEE, nearly 40% of adults in France are single, a steadily rising figure. At the same time, dating apps are exploding… but romantic satisfaction is stagnating. More choices. Fewer certainties. Can you feel the contradiction?
Single or in a couple: real freedom… or a disguised compromise?
We like to say we choose. But often, we adapt more than we decide.
Modern singlehood: total freedom… but fragile connection
Today, being single has almost become a luxury. You manage your time. Your space. Your priorities. According to IFOP (2023), 1 in 2 French people believe that singlehood can be a fulfilling lifestyle. And honestly, we understand why. You avoid:
- conflicts
- permanent compromises
- the emotional burden of a relationship.
But… what many say less about is whats missing:
- real intimacy
- constant presence
- emotional security.
Because stringing together encounters, beginnings of stories, well see … it wears you down. You gain freedom… but sometimes, you lose depth.
Couples today: reassuring… but under pressure
On the other hand, being in a couple remains a strong value. According to INED, nearly 70% of French people wish to be in a couple. Because it brings:
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- support
- stability
- a sense of grounding.
But lets be realistic, the couple in 2026 no longer has anything to do with the one before. Today, you have to be at once:
- loving partner
- best friend
- sexual partner
- emotional support
- daily co-pilot.
A lot for one person, right? Result:
- very high expectations
- lower tolerance for frustration
- and more frequent breakups.
Photo Shuvalova Natalia
What men… and women really want today
Were not going to lie to ourselves: expectations have evolved. And theyre not always aligned.
Womens side: more demands, fewer compromises
Recent studies show a clear trend. According to an IFOP survey (2024), women now prioritize emotional quality over pure stability. They want:
- a man who is emotionally present
- capable of communicating
- aligned with their values.
And above all… theyd rather be alone than badly accompanied. Which completely changes the dynamic.
Mens side: between desire for simplicity… and loss of bearings
For their part, many men express a form of confusion. They want:
- connection
- desire
- lightness.
But find themselves facing:
- higher emotional expectations
- shifting relationship codes
- fear of doing it wrong .
Result?
- some withdraw
- others stay on the surface
- and many oscillate between desire for commitment and flight
Do you see yourself a bit in that?
Photo Kuiyibo
Throuple, open relationships, pansexuality: new freedoms or new troubles?
We cant talk about love today without talking about new forms.
Non-monogamous relationships: freedom fantasy… demanding reality
According to YouGov (2023), nearly 30% of young adults are open to non-exclusive relationships. On paper, it sounds dreamy:
- more freedom
- less frustration
- more experiences
But in reality?
- jealousy
- comparison
- emotional fatigue
These models work… but only with impeccable communication. And lets be honest: thats not the norm.
Situationships: the comfort of in-between
Its probably the most widespread model today. Not really in a couple. Not really single. Just… somewhere in between. The famous situationship . You enjoy the connection, the sex, the complicity without clear commitment, projection, total emotional responsibility. Its comfortable. But often… it leaves a taste of unfinished.
Pansexuality and the end of borders
Another strong evolution: identities become more fluid. According to Ipsos (2024), nearly 20% of young adults no longer define themselves within a strict orientation.
What does that change? More freedom in encounters, fewer mental barriers, but also… more uncertainty. Because when everything is open… you still have to know more than ever what you want.
Why is it so complicated today?
Because at the end of the day, the problem isnt a lack of options. It might be the opposite.
Too many choices… not enough clarity
- Dating apps have changed the game. You meet more. Faster. More easily. But you invest less. Why? Because you know someone else is always accessible. Result:
- you compare
- you hesitate
- you attach yourself less
And in the end… you often stay wanting more.
An unstable world that impacts our relationships
We dont live in a bubble. Economic crises. Anxious climate. International tensions. According to the American Psychological Association, over 70% of adults feel stress linked to world news.
And that changes your way of loving. You protect yourself more. You take fewer risks. You control more.
Photo Eman Genatilan
So… how do we love, today?
Thats THE real question. Because theres no longer a single model. No clear rule. No well-trodden path. And at the end of the day, maybe thats not a problem.
Final word
Youre not lost. Youre just in an era where everything is possible… but nothing is obvious. You can choose your model. Create your own rules. Explore. But beware of one thing: dont confuse freedom… and avoidance. Because sometimes, behind new models , theres mostly a very classic fear: that of truly attaching yourself.
So ask yourself a simple question: are you choosing your way of loving… or are you just avoiding getting involved? The answer changes everything.
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