Relationship anxiety does not disappear once the dating stage ends. Sometimes it shows up as planning, comparison, excitement, or constantly thinking about the next milestone.

Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy talk honestly about engagement anticipation, the pressure to seem like the “cool girl,” and how difficult it can be to stay present when the future feels close enough to imagine. They also share practical ways to slow down, communicate what is happening, and approach anxious thoughts with curiosity instead of criticism.

Key Topics

• Why anxiety can continue in established relationships
• Imagining the wedding versus imagining the marriage
• Engagement anticipation and the discomfort of waiting
• Planning as a way to manage uncertainty
• The pressure to act chill or unbothered
• The difference between validation and comparison
• Staying present during relationship transitions
• Communicating fears, expectations, and boundaries
• Using journaling, mindfulness, movement, and friendships to slow down
• Giving yourself grace when experiencing something new

Join the conversation:

What is something dating in your twenties has taught you about yourself? Share your thoughts and stories with us — we’d love to hear them.

Related Episodes:

• Dating in Your 20s Series: Relationship Milestones That Matter
• Dating in Your 20s: Prioritizing Mental Health While Dating

Dating In Your 20s Anonymous Corner

Check out the anonymous DIY20s Form. It’s a safe, judgment-free space to share what’s going on in your love life.

Connect:

Lilly Wehman: Millennium | LinkedIn
Amelia Abernathy: Millennium | LinkedIn

This podcast is powered by Millennium Counseling Center in Chicago, IL. To learn more visit: millenniumhope.com

Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy use the Summer House Season 10 drama to talk about self-worth, friendship breakups, and what happens when someone moves from one relationship into the next without slowing down. They look at Ciara, Amanda, West, and Kyle through a therapist lens without trying to diagnose anyone.

The conversation moves through staying friends with exes, wanting to be the “cool girl,” the pain of being hurt by a close friend, and the difference between finding your spark through someone else versus rebuilding it for yourself.

Key Topics

• Summer House Season 10 through a therapist lens
• Staying friends with an ex
• The pressure to seem unbothered after a breakup
• Friendship breakups and betrayal
• Self-worth after a hard relationship
• Finding yourself outside of dating
• The difference between soothing and solving

Join the conversation:

What is something dating in your twenties has taught you about yourself? Share your thoughts and stories with us — we’d love to hear them.

Related Episodes:

• The 20s Shift: Outgrowing, Holding On, and Becoming
• The Honeymoon Phase: Butterflies or Just Anxiety?

Dating In Your 20s Anonymous Corner

Check out the anonymous DIY20s Form. It’s a safe, judgment-free space to share what’s going on in your love life.

Connect:

Lilly Wehman: Millennium | LinkedIn
Amelia Abernathy: Millennium | LinkedIn

This podcast is powered by Millennium Counseling Center in Chicago, IL. To learn more visit: millenniumhope.com

In this episode, Lilly Wehman and Amelia Abernathy explore what it means to date while navigating a chronic illness. Through personal storytelling and a therapeutic lens, they unpack the realities of vulnerability, disclosure, and identity in relationships. The conversation highlights the emotional complexity of managing health challenges while dating, the impact of uncertainty on connection, and the role of therapy and support systems in building grounded, authentic relationships.

Key Topics

• Dating while navigating a chronic illness
• Vulnerability and the timing of disclosure
• Identity shifts and loss of control
• The emotional impact of ghosting and rejection
• The role of therapy and external support
• Building relationships rooted in authenticity

Join the conversation:

What is something dating in your twenties has taught you about yourself? Share your thoughts and stories with us — we’d love to hear them.

Related Episodes:

• Is ‘The One’ Even Real? Unpacking Soulmate Myths and Dating with Intention
• The Honeymoon Phase: Butterflies or Just Anxiety?

Dating In Your 20s Anonymous Corner

Check out the anonymous DIY20s Form. It’s a safe, judgment-free space to share what’s going on in your love life.

Connect:

Lilly Wehman: Millennium | LinkedIn
Amelia Abernathy: Millennium | LinkedIn

This podcast is powered by Millennium Counseling Center in Chicago, IL. To learn more visit: millenniumhope.com