Don't know how to react.

This sounds like a fade out, I’m sorry to say.

At the four months mark you should be seeing each other more and becoming exclusive. Instead, he’s seeing less of you, communicating less, and now he’s off on a vacation he never told you about. Yes, the fact that he never mentioned he vacation is a sign that he does not see you as a priority.

I think you definitely handled it correctly, but for yourself personally I would see this as a sign that you need to let this guy go and start dating others. He’s not on the same page as you. Also, many men use the “vacation” excuse to ghost. It’s a common theme on here. Based on what you said, I wouldn’t be surprised if you updated to say you never heard from him again.

Maybe not, but this is definitely a sign that you should still be putting yourself back out there. Perhaps he is pulling back to assess things. Just go about your life. Prepare for the worst…hope for the best. All you can do in this situation.

You’re just casual?

Maybe it’s a last minute, “I just need to get away” thing.
It’s nice he let you know…

If you’re casually dating, and it’s been 4 months…do you see a future with each other? meaning bf/gf? Are you able to date others? If I was casually dating someone, I would not expect them to tell me everything but if they wanted to still get to know me then they would have to keep in touch. If they do great, if not then oh well.

Usually when your dating or trying to establish some sort of trust with someone you respect them and want to tell them your plans and thing that come up. I certainly would put this guy on the back burner until he started showing more interest in me.

Like Shannon I’m getting a bad vibe from this one. And if you’re only casual and seeing other people then I’m actually wondering if he’s going on vacation with another woman. You say he’s been off the last few weeks and the 3-4 month mark is usually when a man decides if he’s ready to make things official and take the next step in the relationship. To me the fact he’s been stepping back from you, didn’t bother to tell you about his plans and didn’t invite you on this quick vacation makes me think he’s on his way out. Sorry.

Sigh, ghosting happens in at least 99% of casual dating scenarios these days.

Why do we expect any different and always ask “Why can’t he just end it properly?”

It’s a sad fact of society and not an okay way to end things, it’s cowardly, really, but it’s something we all have to face.

Guys also do it to leave the door open for a future reappear for more sex, an ego stroke etc…

He’ll be back with lame excuses in a week or so.

I agree with the others. My guy literally tells me EVERYTHING about his day, down to what he’s cooking for dinner lol. He told me he was going to visit his mother, even called me while driving just to check in and see how my day was.

A man who is PROGRESSING (pushing forward) keeps you in the loop; a man who has no intention of doing so will REGRESS (pull back), which is what he’s doing. I would let this one go as its obvious you want more from him than he’s wanting or willing to give and will always feel on edge with this one.

It appears I lost another one. It hurts so much. I just don’t know why I am not interesting enough to hold a man’s attention.

Deena, I want you to stop what you’re doing right now and say this out loud to yourself:

“I don’t cause a man to lose interest in me or act unkindly to me ever. I’m not that powerful. People do things for their own selfish reasons. I am worthy and valid. I was BORN worthy and valid. I am whole and complete with myself.”

Lane is right-casual is on thing but after 4 months you/he should know if things will progress to more or not. My guy of two months has made it clear I am his girlfriend/partner and gives me a running commentary of what he is up to,like Lane says-no doubt how tuned in/interested he is. If you have to ask,the answer is usually in the negative.

For all we know he might not be going anywhere. He might be telling you hes leaving to either:
–Fade
–Date someone else over the weekend and take time to decide if he wants to pursue you or her
–Hes trying to get some time to himself to decide what he wants to do

Men are not stupid. They understand that when they are dating a woman for this amount of time that she begins to wonder where its going.

I agree with your assessment to step WAY back. I would not text him again even if the weekend passes and you don’t hear from him. But please note – although this seems like a bad sign (and it very well may be) my last relationship was very healthy and I loved every minute of it for 2 years. During one of my ex’s most difficult rotations – he pulled back and was acting wonky – then a few days later he called me up and scheduled 10 weeks worth of dates!! We synced our calendars and everything! He told me had taken the time over the weekend to decide what he wanted to make a priority in his schedule.

Bottom line — you will know soon enough where you stand with this guy. Either by him fading or him communicating he misses you. IF he does get into contact with you next week – and you two start going on dates again you may eventually have to bring up the talk so you don’t waste your time. BUT one step at a time. Right now – just do you. And REMEMBER of course that your worth is NOT determined by any man.

I had already decided I was done pursuing him a few days ago when things got “weird” so I won’t be contacting him. If he is at all still interested in me, he will contact ME.

I almost wish he wouldn’t have said anything to me at all. He could have just not contacted me until he got back or felt like it. I was not chasing him. It feels worse that he told me he was leaving for a couple of days but not giving any details or where or with who. Now, I am left to fill in the blanks and it isn’t going to be with happy thoughts. I think what he did is more cruel than if he had not said anything.

I do tend to think the worst of things but I don’t want to be taken for granted or disrespected either.

Well, I said we’re “casual” because we aren’t exclusive or have labels. I don’t want to be casual if this is what it entails. I don’t think mentioning in one of our many conversations that he has a trip planned is that difficult to do whether casual or not. I have mere acquaintances that mention travel plans in passing conversation.