Relationships require feeling all the feels — no matter how uncomfortable, scary, or unpleasant. For two people to build intimacy, they both need to not only be aware of their emotions but also capable of communicating them to their partner. When the person you’re dating isn’t able or willing to do that — well, that can cause a heck of a lot of frustration. That’s why it’s oh so important to be aware of the signs that someone is emotionally unavailable. If you know the red flags to look out for, you then have the power to decide whether you can still get your needs met, or whether you need to cut
your losses and bail.

Case in point: Carrie and Mr. Big. Every SATC fan who watched their sometimes agonizing love story knows that the main obstacle to their love was Big’s emotional unavailability. It wasn’t until he fully realized what he was going to lose that he opened himself up to the idea of a serious long-term commitment. Getting hooked on someone who’s emotionally unavailable can be painful — no matter how perfect they may seem for you, the intimacy you desire is just out of reach.