The short answer: Many people on dating apps right now are emotionally guarded – not because they’re bad people, but because app design, past hurt, and post-pandemic stress have made self-protection feel safer than vulnerability. It’s a widespread pattern, not a you problem. You match. You text. Things feel promising, then go quiet. Or they stay warm but never quite commit to anything real. Sound familiar? You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it. What “emotionally unavailable” actually means Emotionally …