Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
What if Dating Isn't For Me? | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
On this week's episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: She's 26 and has never been in a relationship that made her feel happier or more fulfilled than when she's single. She's questioning whether being in a relationship is right for her. Esther helps her explore the issues stemming from her childhood, her need for perfection, and how these impact her romantic life.
Chapters
00:00 Is Being in a Relationship Right for me?
01:17 What Makes a Relationship Feel Truly Fulfilling?
03:56 Can You Stay Yourself While Loving Someone Else?
06:07 How Does Fear of Rejection Shape Self Worth?
15:23 Where Does the Inner Critic Really Come From?
22:52 Is It Possible to Turn Self Criticism Into Motivation?
26:43 How Is Self Criticism Quietly Shaping Daily Life?
27:45 What Happens When Self Compassion Enters a Relationship?
34:30 Why Does Doing What You Love Feel So Transformative?
35:59 What Makes Starting a New Relationship Feel So Uncertain?
38:32 How Do You Ground Yourself When Anxiety Takes Over?
41:32 Why Is Asking for What You Need So Hard?
43:37 What Does It Really Take to Trust and Risk Love?
47:24 What Does It Mean to Truly Blossom?
About Where Should We Begin?:
Every Monday morning, step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others.
About Esther Perel:
Psychotherapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 40 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into more than 30 languages. Esther is also the host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? which is available on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.
What if Dating Isn't For Me? | Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
On this week's episode of Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel: She's 26 and has never been in a relationship that made her feel happier or more fulfilled than when she's single. She's questioning whether being in a relationship is right for her. Esther helps her explore the issues stemming from her childhood, her need for perfection, and how these impact her romantic life.
Chapters
00:00 Is Being in a Relationship Right for me?
01:17 What Makes a Relationship Feel Truly Fulfilling?
03:56 Can You Stay Yourself While Loving Someone Else?
06:07 How Does Fear of Rejection Shape Self Worth?
15:23 Where Does the Inner Critic Really Come From?
22:52 Is It Possible to Turn Self Criticism Into Motivation?
26:43 How Is Self Criticism Quietly Shaping Daily Life?
27:45 What Happens When Self Compassion Enters a Relationship?
34:30 Why Does Doing What You Love Feel So Transformative?
35:59 What Makes Starting a New Relationship Feel So Uncertain?
38:32 How Do You Ground Yourself When Anxiety Takes Over?
41:32 Why Is Asking for What You Need So Hard?
43:37 What Does It Really Take to Trust and Risk Love?
47:24 What Does It Mean to Truly Blossom?
About Where Should We Begin?:
Every Monday morning, step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it’s a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others.
About Esther Perel:
Psychotherapist, relationship expert, and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 40 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into more than 30 languages. Esther is also the host of the hit podcast Where Should We Begin? which is available on Apple Podcasts. Learn more at EstherPerel.com or by following @EstherPerelOfficial on Instagram.
