In this episode of Dating In Your 20s, hosts Amelia and Lilly unpack how internalized beauty standards influence not only who people find attractive—but who they believe they're allowed to date.

Drawing from both personal experience and a therapeutic lens, the hosts explore how messages from media, family, and culture shape unconscious dating rules: who is considered "out of your league," what kinds of relationships feel validating, and why some connections feel more like social proof than genuine partnership.

They also explore how these standards intersect with body image, race, gender, and desirability politics, and how shame, comparison, and perfectionism often show up in the dating process. Through reflective questions and psychological insight, the episode challenges listeners to consider whether they're dating based on true connection or based on who they think they're supposed to be with.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt not “hot enough,” settled because of insecurity, or chased validation through dating. It invites listeners to move away from hierarchy-based attraction and toward dating with clarity, confidence, and emotional authenticity.
.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The roots of beauty standards and how they shape attraction
• The emotional impact of “leagues,” comparison, and dating from insecurity
• Attachment theory and how early experiences influence who we pursue
• The difference between connection and validation
• Practical tools for unlearning dating patterns shaped by internalized standards

Dating In Your 20s Anonymous Corner

We'd love to hear from you! Check out the anonymous DIY20s Form. It's a safe, judgment-free space to share what’s going on in your love life.

Connect with the hosts:

Lilly Wehman: Millennium | LinkedIn
Amelia Abernathy: Millennium | Linkedin

This podcast is powered by Millennium Counseling Center in Chicago, IL. To learn more visit: millenniumhope.com