In 2025, as dating apps and social media continue reshaping how Indians approach love, this exploration of relationship fragility feels more urgent than ever.
The Takeaway
Modern relationships are caught between the illusion of infinite choice and the hard work required to sustain real connection. Until we stop treating love as a disposable commodity and start investing in the people we choose, the cycle of shallow connections will continue. The real ‘one’ might already be in front of us—but are we willing to hold on?
Let’s Define Our Relationships Love, Cause, Well, Public Validation
Glittering social media platforms have changed the definition of relationships. In the generation of Tinder, we have forgotten to value our relationship. The online social media has opened up in numerous ways to find people like you, but there is always be a better choice. The continuous chain of relationships and lifestyle youngsters lead have given more importance to one night stands, more than friendships and relationships, but less than lovers or just relationships with an expiry date.
The bond and feeling in our relationships have become more of “Public Displays of Affection”. Your personal life is no more personal. In the continuous chain of dating, break up and repeat, the idea of love has become more ‘Vulnerable’. There is always one person who will like you for the person you are. But, somehow in amidst of all this, the charm of ‘holding on to a relationship and working on it,.. has disappeared’.
The Eternal Search For The One – The Depths Of Our Relationships
In the quest for ‘the one’, are we exploiting ourselves? Maybe we have got the one and let him/her go because we could not work on those relationships. We saw problems more than love. Blame it on the social media platforms, but the truth is, every breakup is making you shallow bit by bit. The insecurities are growing and we are becoming more self-indulgent than working on the relations we have.
It’s not just about the romantic relationship we have with our partners. It also hampers the relation we have with our best friends, families and relatives. We are becoming intolerant towards our associations.
You upload a selfie of yours and you get responses from two hundred people on how good you look. The likes on Instagram and Facebook is the new validation for our identities. These are making you shallow. It’s making you think that if your relationship does not work out, there is always a chance to find someone better. The number of followers you have defines what status you hold.
However, the question is are you the same person what you portray in social media?
Our Inherent Need To Put Out Our Opinions – Aren’t We All Just Gross?
The way people have started reacting on social media is gross. You have an opinion on everything and anything, but, we have forgotten that our reactions are hurting people. There is internet bullying, fat shaming and rape threats which are becoming common.
“I am not on Tinder. I got a call from my friend asking me why I am on tinder. She sent me screenshots and I found that somebody is using my pictures on Tinder. It took a lot of time to convince her that account does not belong to me” says Karan Mehta. Fake identities and profiles are also common in social media platforms.
Is it the time we stop and reflect on the relationships? Should we start working on it and start solving the issues rather than jumping on to another relationship. Communication can solve problems and if it does not, there is always an option of a breakup. It’s high time that we stop looking for that one, being in a relationship already. We all have problems that can be solved. We need to stop exploiting our emotions and start bettering ourselves rather than blaming and expecting a lot.
Life is not a movie and there are very less “happily ever after” or maybe none. We need to make our love life happier and stop and rethink “why I am looking for the one?”. If you are single, try harder but opt for a relationship which makes you a better person.
(Movie: 500 Days Of Summer)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do modern relationships feel like they have an expiry date?
Social media and dating apps have created a culture where there’s always a perceived better option available. This mindset makes commitment feel temporary, as people prioritize novelty over working through relationship challenges. The ease of finding new connections reduces motivation to invest in existing ones.
How is social media affecting relationship expectations in India?
Social media has made ‘Public Displays of Affection’ a relationship metric, where validation comes from likes and comments rather than genuine emotional connection. Indian couples increasingly perform their relationships online, losing the intimacy of private, unfiltered moments that once defined lasting bonds.
Why are Indian millennials becoming more self-indulgent in relationships?
The quest for ‘the one’ has shifted focus from compromise and growth to personal satisfaction. Growing insecurities fueled by constant comparison online make individuals unwilling to invest effort in relationships that require work, choosing instead to seek validation elsewhere.
What’s the difference between genuine connection and vulnerable love in today’s dating culture?
Genuine connection requires vulnerability without self-protection, but modern dating culture has made love feel ‘vulnerable’ in a negative sense—emotionally exposed to judgment and rejection. True connection demands trust built over time, not the shallow exchanges common in swipe-based relationships.
How can couples work on relationships instead of abandoning them when problems arise?
Working on relationships requires shifting perspective from ‘finding problems’ to ‘solving problems together.’ This means prioritizing communication, setting boundaries on social media performance, and recognizing that every relationship worth having demands effort, patience, and the conscious choice to hold on.
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