So here’s to the 18-inside romantics: May your 2023 bring fewer situationships, more direct questions, and at least one conversation that starts with “I really like you” instead of “wyd.”
For the “18 inside” generation, best friends are often their only stable relationship. Risking that for romance feels revolutionary — and devastating. 6. The Polyamory Exploration Phase 2022 saw a noticeable rise in young people identifying as polyamorous or “solo poly.” For some, it was an authentic orientation. For others, it was a way to avoid the hard work of monogamy while still having needs met. The “18 inside” mindset — I want intimacy but not obligation — found a natural home in polyamorous structures.
A high school senior (18 inside, actually 17) is talking to someone she really likes. For two weeks, the texts are fire — voice notes, memes, goodnight messages. Then suddenly: gray bubbles. Left on delivered for 36 hours. She triple-texts, then apologizes for triple-texting. Her friends tell her to “match his energy,” which means saying nothing. The romance dies not with a fight, but with a forgotten reply.
The “18 inside” generation knows all the vocabulary of emotional health but often lacks the lived experience to apply it. They can define a boundary but not enforce it. 9. The Queer Awakening (Delayed Edition) Many members of Gen Z came out later than expected — not because of repression, but because the pandemic gave them time to think. 2022 was the year of the “delayed queer awakening”: realizing at 19 or 20 that those feelings you had at 15 weren’t just friendship.
A person is in a situationship with someone who says, “I love your energy, but I’m not ready for a label.” Whenever the first person expresses hurt, the response is, “That sounds like your anxious attachment talking. Have you journaled about it?” The relationship is a loop of validation and withdrawal. When it ends, the “gatekeep” partner posts a TikTok about “protecting your peace” while the other person quietly unfollows and tries to heal.