The benching arc is the predictable narrative trajectory of a situationship defined by benching: initial excitement, consistent contact, a slowdown, confused waiting, token effort to revive things, more waiting, eventual clarity (or its absence). Anyone who has been benched knows the arc intimately — the optimistic phase, the confusing middle, and the deflating conclusion where you realize you were never really in the running. Recognizing your benching arc while you're inside it is hard. Naming it afterward is cathartic. A completed benching arc is practically required content on the dating talk side of TikTok.
Looking back I can map the entire benching arc — week one was amazing, weeks two through six were me convincing myself things were fine.
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