THE TIME BETWEEN “LET’S MEET” AND ACTUALLY MEETING: NAVIGATING COMMITMENT, FLAKINESS, AND THE SPACES IN-BETWEEN

When someone says, “Let’s meet,” it often carries a promise, an intention to bridge distance and connect. However, the path from that simple phrase to the actual meeting is rarely straightforward. It is a liminal space filled with negotiations, hesitations, and sometimes disappointments. This interval reveals much about our struggles with commitment, the pull of flakiness, and the complex dance between desire and action.

In many cultures, including ours, making plans is both a social ritual and a test of reliability. Saying “Let’s meet” shows warmth, interest, and goodwill. But what happens in the time that follows is a quiet story of shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, and sometimes unspoken doubts. The initial excitement can fade, replaced by excuses or delays. Flakiness, once seen as casual, often leaves a feeling of frustration or sadness.

This gap between intention and action reflects broader human tensions. We want connection, but life’s demands, fears, and uncertainties pull us in different directions. Sometimes, the fear of being vulnerable or causing inconvenience holds us back. Other times, our enthusiasm simply fades away. In Nepali society, where relationships are deeply valued, this can create a silent conflict between social expectations and personal realities.

Yet, the time in between also holds potential. It offers space for reflection on what we truly want, what we are willing to invest, and how we value others’ time and presence. It can teach us about patience, forgiveness, and the rhythms of human connection that are rarely as immediate or simple as we hope.

Understanding this delicate space helps us approach commitments with more empathy for ourselves and for others. It reminds us that behind every postponed meeting lies a story, a circumstance, and a human heart negotiating its own needs and fears. Sometimes, simply recognizing the gap is the first step toward closing it.