She’s Not Asking for Too Much, You’re Just Giving the Bare Minimum

Let’s clear something up off rip: most women aren’t asking for too much.

You’re just giving the bare minimum and calling it effort.

We’ve reached a cultural breaking point. Dating fatigue is real. Women are tired of being gaslit by men who act like basic decency is some extravagant act of service.

"I took her out and paid." Congratulations. You did what you were supposed to do. Want a medal or a cookie?

"I text her back." So does her group chat. Try again.

"I don’t cheat." & yet, the bar remains buried underground, somewhere next to your commitment issues.

We’re not talking about women who expect yachts and Birkins on date two. We’re talking about women who want intentionality. Clarity. Respect. And maybe a soft-launch that isn’t six months overdue.

Women want to be heard without having to yell. They want to be pursued with consistency, not intensity for two weeks and then nothing. They want dates planned with actual thought, not "so what do you wanna do?" while you're halfway through a blunt and using her Netflix.

They’re not asking for magic. They’re asking you to show them you care enough to pay attention.

You don’t need to have a $1,000 watch. You need to show up on time.You don’t need to fly her out. You need to call her when you said you would.You don’t need to be rich. But you do need to be emotionally available, communicative, and consistent.

None of that costs a thing. But it requires intention.

Here’s the part that stings: too many men were raised to believe that providing money, attention, or sex is enough. That it’s women’s job to mold love out of the scraps. But the game has changed. Women don’t want to raise you into a decent partner. They want to meet one.

If she’s asking for more? That’s not a threat. That’s an opportunity. That means she still thinks you might have more to give.

The bare minimum might have worked in high school. It might still work on women who are in survival mode, or too drained to demand more. But if you want a woman who’s in her power? Who knows who she is and what she deserves? You’re gonna need more than "good morning" texts and smoke sessions. At the very least, upgrade your playlist to songs she can vibe with.

Effort isn’t just showing up. It’s how you show up. How you pay attention. How you remember. How you follow through. It’s how you make her feel when she’s around you, and how safe she feels even when she’s not.

Next time you feel like she’s asking for too much, ask yourself:

• Have I paid attention to what matters to her, or just what I’m comfortable giving?

• Have I treated her like a priority or an option?

The truth is, if a woman is still communicating her needs to you, she still believes in your potential. If she goes quiet? You already lost.

HEAR ME OUT:

She’s not asking for too much. She’s just asking for you to match what she’s already giving.

If that feels like pressure? You’re not ready.

Not for her. Not for the relationship. Not for the version of yourself that love is trying to call out.

The bare minimum will always feel like "too much" to a man who has no intention of growing. But for the ones who are ready?

This is your sign to step the fuck up.

Written by Ajani Brathwaite