Swipe culture, mixed signals, and fast-evolving labels— today’s dating landscape is messy, unpredictable, and emotionally exhausting. In this raw and engaging episode of The Healing Circle, hosted by Janice Sequeira and powered by coto, an emotional wellness platform, popular digital creators like Srishti Garg, Hamza Syed aka ‘The Green Flag Guy’, and creator and mimicry actor Chandni Bhabhda, along with Tarot Therapist Kusha Bharadwaj came together to discuss the chaos of modern romance. The conversation dives into the unrealistic expectations we place on each other and how emotional labels, social media, and shifting norms are reshaping the way we connect. With insight, humor, and raw honesty, the guests reflect on why finding love feels harder than ever and what it takes to build meaningful relationships.
In the 8th episode of the show, the guests go beyond dating buzzwords like breadcrumbing, catfishing, and nano-ships to explore the emotional undercurrents shaping today’s relationships. They discuss how gaslighting, avoidant personalities, and the lingering impact of childhood or generational trauma often shape how we love—or struggle to. The conversation also touches on gender roles, emotional responsibility, and how men and women in particular, may develop emotional walls due to life experiences. Gen Z’s evolving dating vocabulary— like “Situationship”—mirrors this complexity, revealing a generation craving connection but often overwhelmed by confusion. From narcissistic patterns and ghosting to blurred boundaries and low self-worth, this episode holds up a mirror to modern romance—and reminds us that real healing begins with self-awareness and emotional honesty.
Srishti Garg, a popular Gen Z digital creator, reflected on the emotional layers behind vulnerability and the courage it takes to truly feel, especially for Gen Z. She shared, “Our generation craves connection but is terrified of feeling too much. We swipe, scroll, and detach—hoping to stay in control—but the truth is, vulnerability is where the magic happens. You can’t feel love without also risking the ache that might come with it.” She went on to emphasize that embracing this emotional openness is essential for building authentic relationships. “When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we move beyond the situationships and soft-launches into something real. That’s when we open the door to deeper, more meaningful connections—and real healing. In my own relationship, I feel loved and cherished and I believe women are truly happy when they are the ones being loved more.”
Hamza Syed, Digital creator and comedian, offered a brutally honest perspective on the emotional complexities both men and women face in modern relationships. He shared, “Men don’t talk about what they want. Women overthink what they deserve. And somewhere in the middle, we’re all messing it up.” Reflecting on his personal journey, Hamza added, “I thought I was ready for love, but I was just lonely. There’s a difference.” He called out dating trends like ghosting and breadcrumbing, saying, “We’ve normalized avoiding discomfort, but real courage is having difficult conversations instead of disappearing.” Hamza also noted changing gender dynamics, “Women chase too, and that shifts the whole game.” He connected these patterns to generational trauma, revealing, “Growing up, my relationship with my dad was distant, which taught me to avoid emotional conversations. Healing has been key to breaking cycles and building healthier relationships.”
Chandni Bhabhda opened up about her personal experience with gaslighting and judgment in relationships. She shared, “I was once told by a guy that I was ‘too loud’—like my voice or presence was a problem. Another time, someone implied I wasn’t ‘hot enough.’ Those kinds of comments stuck with me for a long time,”. We end up comparing ourselves to others and seeking validation in all the wrong places.” She emphasized the importance of working on self-love and self-awareness. “The key is to stop chasing external approval and instead learn to accept and value yourself first. Only when you’re true to who you are can you form real, meaningful relationships with others.”
Kusha Bharadwaj, Tarot therapist, spoke about recognizing our emotional patterns in dating and understanding self-worth. She explained, “We attract what we feel worthy of. If we operate from a place of lack, we’ll keep finding people who confirm that lack.” She emphasized the importance of emotional clarity: “If someone’s presence makes you question your worth, that’s not love—it’s a signal to pause.” On dating, she added, “It often triggers old wounds like fear and rejection, but that’s where healing begins. Understanding your emotional patterns empowers you to choose love aligned with who you are.”
The Healing Circle, powered by coto, continues to provide expert insights into emotional wellness, relationships, mental health, and digital wellbeing. The show is exclusively available on Janice Sequeira’s YouTube channel, with new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.