Relationship Dupes
A love letter to myself and no one in particular…
Every other TikTok I see feels like it revolves around recommendations for products claiming to be just as good or effective as similar ones — “dupe culture,” they call it. Essentially, “don’t spend an insane amount of time & money on something over-the-top when there’s a more efficient duplicate that does the trick.”
That’s how I feel about being single.
If I wanted to intimately hold hands and gently grasp palms, I’d get a manicure.
If I wanted someone to make me feel like the prettiest, smartest, most interesting woman in the room, I’d give myself a Lizzo-level pep-talk in the mirror.
If I wanted a stunning bouquet of flowers from the love of my life, I’d walk my cute ass over to the market and pick up a bunch so lush and vibrant, the people I pass default to supporting characters.
If I wanted steady, unwavering romance, I’d continue to romanticize even the most ordinary moments of my life.
If I wanted to be gifted a charming playlist replete with sweet songs destined for repeat, I’d indulge the Spotify robots.
If the middle of my back desperately needed scratching, I’d be as resourceful as a wild brown bear and an unsuspecting tree.
