I love window shopping. To peer through the glass panes of a storefront and dream of a day when I might be able to afford something or another fills a fantastical need within myself to dream big.

This window shopping philosophy I’ve created expands beyond the multiverse of retail. As a single woman who is a lover of all and everyone, I window shop constantly. Not for material things but for love. 

I have found that since I was little — at least little enough to grasp the concept of attraction and relationships — I approach each new setting as an opportunity. To this day, I enter a new place with a little burning question in the back of my mind: Are there hot people here? 

I know, I know. It sounds stupid, and I shouldn’t be wasting space in my precious mind palace figuring out who I am attracted to in any given sphere. Believe me, I tell myself that, too. However, I have realized it’s not a super big deal. Having little crushes everywhere I go gives me a drive unlike any other. 

Comparable to a drug, I think having a crush stimulates those same sectors of people’s brains. Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel most people with love in their hearts scan the area for potential suitors when introduced to a new environment. 

Is it a coping mechanism for being bored? Maybe. Am I looking for attention? Possibly. Am I beckoning myself to get back out there? Eh. Who knows! 

I don’t want to do all the shadow work to figure that out, so I continue to have little crushes on people wherever I go. Like Hozier said in a song one time: “And so I fall in love just a little, oh, a little bit/ Every day with someone new.” I guess we’re both romantics. 

However, reader, one must be very strategic and careful. Personal strength and will must be in play for this lifestyle. You don’t want to go everywhere and date everyone — especially in a closed-off environment like a college campus. You always want to remain a sought-after commodity. 

After perusing through this style of finding a partner, there is one place I have banished from my big book of dating in 2025: the workplace. Beware! Dangers beyond mortal comprehension lie beyond the receptionist desk as you enter the coworker realm. 

I am no stranger to dating in the workplace. For some time, it was my biggest red flag. I will say that my workplace is a social one, and I consider my coworkers to also be my dear friends. We all go out on the town together, we break bread during meal times and we are there for each other when need be. So it’s not a strange thing to start developing feelings for someone, especially after spending hours every day together. 

It can blur the lines romantically, though. Coming into my workplace, I heard stories of yore, romantic prophecies telling of success from people who came before me. 

“Oh! So and so started dating, and they’re still living together with a lovely cat in their one-bedroom apartment in a faraway land.” How spectacular! This sentiment gave me hope for my future.

Right now, you might be screaming at this article as if watching a horror movie. “No, unsuspecting girl! Don’t go any further! You will die!” 

I’m sorry to say it: I have dabbled in workplace romance. Let me say it was not a pretty sight. Between texting them to turn in a story after they had just left my living quarters or having to see them all the time during meetings, it ended up complicating many things. 

It got even more complicated when I decided I didn’t want to be with them anymore. I truly believe some people should be admired from afar — like precious china, not to be touched! Well, I was like a bull, and I touched it all. It was a bad decision. 

After I broke up with this person, they were very bitter. This is obviously to be expected, but things weren’t as clean or mature as I had hoped for. After that breakup, I entered the workplace with a weird aura. There was a lingering sense of dread and annoyance from both parties. 

This is typical for a breakup, and I believe it could have been handled better on both ends. Still, this would not have happened had I heeded the warnings before.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “But my coworker is so cute, and I want to date them,” the best thing for you is probably not to date them, unfortunately. Although, sometimes you have to do it once to learn. 

One must acknowledge that dating in the workplace can be dangerous. There is more at stake than to gain in most situations. You should use careful deliberation when pursuing the coworker of your dreams. 

Although my previous relationship didn’t blow up in my face super bad, whisperings of the failed attempt still linger in the hallways of the University YMCA. 

If you value your career in that workplace or you want to rise through the ranks, maybe don’t pursue a coworker. All in all, things get a lot more complicated, and social settings get a lot more awkward. 

The “you hurt me bad” eye contact across the table from your former partner-now-turned-coworker during a meeting is frankly a weird vibe I wish on nobody. 

Still, the triumphant tales from beyond are true in some cases. I know a lot of lovely couples who are still kickin’ it from their 9-5 days together. 

However, I know even more abandoned love stories who now can’t be in the same conversation without wanting to bash their heads into a wall — not my personal coping style, but it has been done!

Dear reader, don’t let me or some desk work stop you from finding the love of your life. You must trust your instincts in these trying times. Just remember, there is a world outside of your cubicle waiting to be explored. 

Until next time,

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